Esme Tours - One Day Cooking Workshop
Esme Tours - One Day Cooking Workshop
Esme Tours - One Day Cooking Workshop
5
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About
Join Chef Esmeraldo in the small picturesque village of Pozos for hands on cooking classes! Located in the province of Leon, we offer culinary and travel adventures. Learn classic Spanish favorites using fresh local ingredients, traditional cooking methods, wine tastings from boutique wineries and a village tour are all included in our one day package. Learn to create Spain's famous Paella Iberica and tapas! - Gambas PilPil, Tortilla Espanola, Pinchos Morunos and Croquetas de Serrano y Queso! Learn to carve Jamon Iberico! Other options are short stays or week long adventures. Custom and private tours are also available.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
15 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
hfv492
Baden, Switzerland4 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
What a pleasant surprise this was. Laura and Chef are the most gracious hosts. Chef prepares feasts that could put many five star restaurants to shame. Laura somehow senses what you need to do next. Be it cooking lessons with Chef, going for a hike, visiting some interesting local landmarks or just to be left to relax with a glass of wine on the terrace overlooking the spectacular view. The village and surroundings are picturesque, rustic. We visited with another couple; there are two comfortable double rooms with bath. The intimate atmosphere might not be ideal if you happened to be on your own and sharing with strangers. For a group of four looking for something a bit off the beaten path, but with a craving for superb cuisine this is the place for you.
Written November 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
petiteTreasure
Canmore, Canada71 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
My family and I stayed in Pozos with Laura and Chef E in the fall of 2014 and is was a great experience. The accomodations are fantastic (very new and well maintained) and the village of Pozos is as authentic as a historic mountain village can be. The hiking in the surrounding mountains is surreal, the area is remote but has been inhabited for thousands of years.
Chef E is simply amazing. An authentic top end Chef with worldwide experience who has returned to his birthplace to share his experiences with interested people. One thing that stands out is learning how to make Spanish Tortilla, it was great in Spain and is wonderful at home as well.
Laura is a great hostess and is very accomodating. Her customer service shines through and Laura is a consummate professional in every regard.
Overall I HIGHLY recommend Esme Tours and look forward to returning in the future.
Chef E is simply amazing. An authentic top end Chef with worldwide experience who has returned to his birthplace to share his experiences with interested people. One thing that stands out is learning how to make Spanish Tortilla, it was great in Spain and is wonderful at home as well.
Laura is a great hostess and is very accomodating. Her customer service shines through and Laura is a consummate professional in every regard.
Overall I HIGHLY recommend Esme Tours and look forward to returning in the future.
Written July 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure having you stay with us. We greatly enjoyed showing you our little corner of Spain and introducing you to some traditional Spanish cuisine! It was great fun exploring the local smokehouses with you and trying all the homemade chorizos! We look forward to your next visit! Hasta pronto, Esmeraldo
Written January 26, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lauren Aloise - Spanish Sabores
Madrid, Spain66 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We traveled to the small Spanish village of Pozos without really knowing what to expect. From the first minute we met Laura, we knew were were in great hands. Laura and Esmeraldo have converted one of the village's beautiful old stone homes into what they call "The Lodge". It's a gorgeous place to stay, with every amenity. Chef E's kitchen is state-of-the-art, the beds are so comfortable we asked where they'd bought the mattresses (and would consider going back to buy them-- we live in Madrid!), and breakfast on the second story terrace overlooking the nearby mountains was truly incredible.
We spent four days/three nights enjoying Chef Esmeraldo's wonderful local breakfasts, delicious gourmet dinners, and excellent local wines. Chef was born and raised in Pozos but worked internationally for most of his career, meaning that his knowledge of both Spanish and international cuisine is top notch.
This was obvious when we took a cooking class with him and were able to make seven (that's right--seven!) different traditional dishes, which we then feasted on for lunch. He adapted the class to what we were interested in, and allowed us to participate as much as we wanted. The recipes will be used again and again! Laura is also a great baker and bartender and provided us with lovely desserts and cocktails all made with local ingredients.
Each day we took a walk in the nearby mountains, sneaking local blackberries as we wandered. We spotted local deer, and met the village cows, goats and cats along the way! We were also able to visit the nearby towns for their Sunday market and ceramics factory.
If you are looking for a gorgeous setting, amazing food, and an authentic local experience, look no farther. This is something I'll be raving about for years to come, and recommending to all friends and family who come to visit Spain. Thank you Laura and Esmeraldo, we can't wait to come back to Pozos!
We spent four days/three nights enjoying Chef Esmeraldo's wonderful local breakfasts, delicious gourmet dinners, and excellent local wines. Chef was born and raised in Pozos but worked internationally for most of his career, meaning that his knowledge of both Spanish and international cuisine is top notch.
This was obvious when we took a cooking class with him and were able to make seven (that's right--seven!) different traditional dishes, which we then feasted on for lunch. He adapted the class to what we were interested in, and allowed us to participate as much as we wanted. The recipes will be used again and again! Laura is also a great baker and bartender and provided us with lovely desserts and cocktails all made with local ingredients.
Each day we took a walk in the nearby mountains, sneaking local blackberries as we wandered. We spotted local deer, and met the village cows, goats and cats along the way! We were also able to visit the nearby towns for their Sunday market and ceramics factory.
If you are looking for a gorgeous setting, amazing food, and an authentic local experience, look no farther. This is something I'll be raving about for years to come, and recommending to all friends and family who come to visit Spain. Thank you Laura and Esmeraldo, we can't wait to come back to Pozos!
Written August 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Lauren & Alejandro! Thank you so much for the kind words. It was wonderful sharing Pozos with both of you! It is always a pleasure having guests like you that truly enjoy Spanish cuisine; cooking and eating it!! We look forward to your next visit and exploring the vegetarian cuisine of Northern Spain! Hasta pronto, Esmeraldo.
Written January 26, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mikan999
Bristol, UK571 contributions
Apr 2013 • Couples
We stayed with Es and Laura for 3 nights earlier this year. From the moment we arrived we were taken on a most wonderful experience, tantalising all our senses. The village is stunning, set in the Picos mountains with sweeping views. it is a fantastic place to walk from with well defined tracks yet remote and beautiful. The villagers were all most welcoming and made us feel like one of them. Es and Laura were the most perfect hosts anticipating our every need. And the cooking experience and the food? Truly magnificent. Es is a superb chef and prepared and cooked us the most exquisite food and only stopped when we had had enough. Delicate, tasty dishes were placed before us, one after the other, each a mouth-watering delight washed down with carefully selected local wines.
Es and Laura showed us how to prepare and cook many traditional Spanish dishes including empanadas, tortilla and paella to name but a few. They were both happy to pass on their knowledge of Spain, the village, food and local wines to us.
We had a truly wonderful stay here with Esme Cooking Course and would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone who wants that very special personal touch. It was well worth every Euro.
Es and Laura showed us how to prepare and cook many traditional Spanish dishes including empanadas, tortilla and paella to name but a few. They were both happy to pass on their knowledge of Spain, the village, food and local wines to us.
We had a truly wonderful stay here with Esme Cooking Course and would thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone who wants that very special personal touch. It was well worth every Euro.
Written November 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GreatBrain
Denver, CO42 contributions
Oct 2019
Go now. Book as many days as you can. We've been four times. Each experience is unique. Chef and Laura have so much to share with their guests. It's a place to relax, cook, hike and learn about Spain. It's quiet in Pozos. The streets are narrow. Get a small car! The villages of La Cabrera are diverse and a delight to walk through. Chef Esmeraldo and Laura have created a fascinating experience. Be adventurous with the food. Cook with Chef. We learn more and more each time we go.
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert B
Saratoga Springs, NY1,046 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
Constant Companion and I had read about Esme Tours on the Spanish Sabores website last year. After reading the fabulous reviews we decided we had to book a stay. Well, everything that is written about Chef Esmeraldo, Laura L. and Laura F. is accurate. Each and every phase from booking, pickup in Astorga, cooking, eating, hiking, touring, and delivery to Leon was seemless!
The Spanish Lodge in Pozos is delightful. It is constructed around an enclosed courtyard complete with wine grotto and outdoor dining in good weather. Adjacent is a fabulous working kitchen complete with wood range, five burner Bosch cooktop, Bosch dishwashers etc. Above the kitchen is an outdoor covered patio with a fireplace and spectacular views of the mountains which still had snow on them during our stay. Overlooking the courtyard are two bedrooms with a balcony. Our room was furnished with excellent amenities, a queen bed, library, and full bath. The second room has two twin beds. Below the bedrooms is another small kitchen, an indoor dining area, reading nook, wine cellar, and half bath.
Laura and Chef are two of the most delightful people we have ever met. Within hours you begin to feel like you have known them forever. They are the kind of folks you wish you could select to be your family members!! You can cook with Chef and Laura F. as little or much as you wish. I chose the later, CC the former! A wonderful, patient, world class instructor Chef created five star meals. These included superb soups-french onion, carrot,Fabada Asturiana, and mushroom;Dover Sole, Black Rice Paella, Spring Lamb, Sea and Land Croquettes, Rabo de Toro, Chestnut Pork, Stuffed Quail, Fideua, Langostinos, Pork Secreto etc. and a variety of desserts to numerous to list. Outdoor activities include hiking, four wheeling with Pepe, visits to the pottery museum and native potters, tours of Roman sites and local churches which are rarely open to the public! As CC wrote in her journal, "What an incredible stay and adventure the Lodge had turned out to be!" We cannot wait to return again!!!
The Spanish Lodge in Pozos is delightful. It is constructed around an enclosed courtyard complete with wine grotto and outdoor dining in good weather. Adjacent is a fabulous working kitchen complete with wood range, five burner Bosch cooktop, Bosch dishwashers etc. Above the kitchen is an outdoor covered patio with a fireplace and spectacular views of the mountains which still had snow on them during our stay. Overlooking the courtyard are two bedrooms with a balcony. Our room was furnished with excellent amenities, a queen bed, library, and full bath. The second room has two twin beds. Below the bedrooms is another small kitchen, an indoor dining area, reading nook, wine cellar, and half bath.
Laura and Chef are two of the most delightful people we have ever met. Within hours you begin to feel like you have known them forever. They are the kind of folks you wish you could select to be your family members!! You can cook with Chef and Laura F. as little or much as you wish. I chose the later, CC the former! A wonderful, patient, world class instructor Chef created five star meals. These included superb soups-french onion, carrot,Fabada Asturiana, and mushroom;Dover Sole, Black Rice Paella, Spring Lamb, Sea and Land Croquettes, Rabo de Toro, Chestnut Pork, Stuffed Quail, Fideua, Langostinos, Pork Secreto etc. and a variety of desserts to numerous to list. Outdoor activities include hiking, four wheeling with Pepe, visits to the pottery museum and native potters, tours of Roman sites and local churches which are rarely open to the public! As CC wrote in her journal, "What an incredible stay and adventure the Lodge had turned out to be!" We cannot wait to return again!!!
Written August 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lesleysinclair2017
Thenon, France1 contribution
Sep 2017 • Couples
We spent 5 nights with Laura, Laura and Chef Esmeraldo and our only regret is that it couldn't have been longer. These kind thoughtful people gave us an experience far beyond what we could have expected. Chef is a patient teacher, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of his amazing dishes, with Laura on hand to guide you through and make sure you've written it down properly! Laura (yes there are two Laura's) is the perfect hostess and mine of local information. We felt instantly at home, as though we had known them forever, and were truly sad to leave. I can't praise this experience enough but at the same time would love to keep it secret, just for us. We are definitely going back.
Written September 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lajansen
Mililani, HI42 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Our time in this beautiful lodge in this lovely small village with our wonderful hosts Laura and Chef Esmeraldo was truly the highlight of our Spain vacation. The care they took to ensure that we enjoyed our visit while learning to make Spanish cuisine was remarkable. Chef Esmeraldo is a learned and patient instructor with a great sense of humor. Laura welcomed us warmly and took good care of us throughout our visit. We left feeling we were part of the family. Laura is a terrific historian and together with Chef’s first-hand knowledge of life in the area, we gained an understanding as well as a better appreciation of what life was like in this area through the years.
Their attention to detail is impressive – in the décor, the lodging and the excursions, as well as in the multi-course meals. We loved all the little touches, especially the elements with family history. Our days were filled with cooking classes, exploring, hiking, experiencing village life, excursions to nearby villages and relaxing after a great meal at the end of the day in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine. Life doesn’t get much better than that. We knew from the reviews that this would be just our kind of place and that it would be fantastic, but the experience far exceeded expectations. We wish we had stayed longer, and are trying to figure out when we can come back. Soon after our return we put our newly found culinary knowledge to the test during a Tapas night where we prepared many of the recipes together with our friends. It made for a delicious and fun evening. We are grateful for this unique experience.
Their attention to detail is impressive – in the décor, the lodging and the excursions, as well as in the multi-course meals. We loved all the little touches, especially the elements with family history. Our days were filled with cooking classes, exploring, hiking, experiencing village life, excursions to nearby villages and relaxing after a great meal at the end of the day in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine. Life doesn’t get much better than that. We knew from the reviews that this would be just our kind of place and that it would be fantastic, but the experience far exceeded expectations. We wish we had stayed longer, and are trying to figure out when we can come back. Soon after our return we put our newly found culinary knowledge to the test during a Tapas night where we prepared many of the recipes together with our friends. It made for a delicious and fun evening. We are grateful for this unique experience.
Written August 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nosey n
37 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
This is far more than a cooking retreat. This place is a gem of a find and chef Esmeraldo (from Pozos originally but now world renowned chef) and his wife Laura (Canadian) made our experience something to remember for a lifetime.
There are loads of places to tour around northern Spain and many of the areas around Pozos including the region of Leon are in the book "1000 places to visit before I die".
A great experience for our whole family.
There are loads of places to tour around northern Spain and many of the areas around Pozos including the region of Leon are in the book "1000 places to visit before I die".
A great experience for our whole family.
Written February 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nadia o
11 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
I found this holiday browsing Trip Advisor. I was looking for something different where we could create some special family memories. I also secretly had an inner desire to connect our boys with rural Spain, the wonderful warmth of the Spanish people ... and to learn a bit of Spanish - that was it! We live in Hertfordshire and are close to London. Husband works long hours and while we do enjoy wonderful holidays, I realised our boys have been raised in an urban world - where WIFI and "laid on" fun comes as expected. They are joining the "cloned" teenagers of modern times. I had an inner worry that family bonding on a different level and connecting with nature and getting back to basics are experiences are increasing difficult to create in this modern world.
I found Esme Tours and was initially attracted as we all love our food and like to dabble in the kitchen and Pozos is in the hills. Boys are both learning Spanish at school and I have many wonderful memories of camping in Spain as a child.
World renowned Chef Esmereldo and Laura at the Lodge in Pozos delivered way beyond our expectations. The lodge accommodation was simply glorious with outside spaces and a courtyard and indoor cosy areas to chill by the fire. The food created by Chef "Es" was delicious and on day 2 we had to politely ask if we could eat slightly less! Our 3 day and 4 night visit (we spent 2 nights in Madrid and flew into Madrid and out of Asturias) was filled with amazing hiking, cooking courses, wonderful food, tours of local villages and restaurants, pottery making and mingling with locals and learning of a bygone era in Pozos. We hiked 10-15k a day and DIDNT SEE A SOUL. We hiked and found real wolf tracks (wolves reintroduced in the area a few years back after being lost to over culling), drank from natural streams, visited disused slate mines and enjoyed delicious picnics prepared by Laura (with Rosé) on snow capped hills. Laura hiked with us on one day and we hiked alone the next. We visited the local Pozos museum where we learned about a bygone era of village life in the 1930's up to recent times. Es is from Pozos and the elders who still live here are all related to him. So Chef Es shares his stories and memories of life in Pozos ... the church, the houses, grave yard, his role as night shepherd aged 12 ... all the stories he tells are directly linked to his family. We were all fascinated and transfixed - even my 14 year old teenager son who - before - Pozos lived mostly for his xbox games.
On the last night we cooked paella with Chef and we served it to local villagers to came to our lodge for the evening. We chatted with our very limited Spanish and their more impressive English and these wonderful house guests even stayed up till 1am to help our 12 year old complete a puzzle kindly left out for us when we arrived by Laura.
A truly impeccable holiday offered by a wonderful couple who are naturally warm and who love to entertain with a deep understanding of the catering and service industry.
I cannot celebrate the wonderful experience we had enough! We have booked to return next May. There is a plaque above the fire that their guests "arrive as strangers and leave as friends". We felt moved to tears saying good bye - this is truly true of this place.
I found Esme Tours and was initially attracted as we all love our food and like to dabble in the kitchen and Pozos is in the hills. Boys are both learning Spanish at school and I have many wonderful memories of camping in Spain as a child.
World renowned Chef Esmereldo and Laura at the Lodge in Pozos delivered way beyond our expectations. The lodge accommodation was simply glorious with outside spaces and a courtyard and indoor cosy areas to chill by the fire. The food created by Chef "Es" was delicious and on day 2 we had to politely ask if we could eat slightly less! Our 3 day and 4 night visit (we spent 2 nights in Madrid and flew into Madrid and out of Asturias) was filled with amazing hiking, cooking courses, wonderful food, tours of local villages and restaurants, pottery making and mingling with locals and learning of a bygone era in Pozos. We hiked 10-15k a day and DIDNT SEE A SOUL. We hiked and found real wolf tracks (wolves reintroduced in the area a few years back after being lost to over culling), drank from natural streams, visited disused slate mines and enjoyed delicious picnics prepared by Laura (with Rosé) on snow capped hills. Laura hiked with us on one day and we hiked alone the next. We visited the local Pozos museum where we learned about a bygone era of village life in the 1930's up to recent times. Es is from Pozos and the elders who still live here are all related to him. So Chef Es shares his stories and memories of life in Pozos ... the church, the houses, grave yard, his role as night shepherd aged 12 ... all the stories he tells are directly linked to his family. We were all fascinated and transfixed - even my 14 year old teenager son who - before - Pozos lived mostly for his xbox games.
On the last night we cooked paella with Chef and we served it to local villagers to came to our lodge for the evening. We chatted with our very limited Spanish and their more impressive English and these wonderful house guests even stayed up till 1am to help our 12 year old complete a puzzle kindly left out for us when we arrived by Laura.
A truly impeccable holiday offered by a wonderful couple who are naturally warm and who love to entertain with a deep understanding of the catering and service industry.
I cannot celebrate the wonderful experience we had enough! We have booked to return next May. There is a plaque above the fire that their guests "arrive as strangers and leave as friends". We felt moved to tears saying good bye - this is truly true of this place.
Written February 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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