Meet
Mary
A self-taught cook, Mary is a strong promoter of the virtues of Cretan cuisine, one of the healthiest and richest cuisines in the world. Through the discovery of local cuisine and sharing culinary traditions, Mary feels strongly connected with her Cretan roots. She was born in Crete and worked as a producer in TV and radio. When she was young, her mother always tried to teach Mary how to cook, but all in vain, as her only interest then was to eat! Though Mary obeyed her mother when it came to the family’s organic product business (olives, vineyard, vegetables, herbs, wild greens), developing an interest for history, environment and healthy life. Much later in life, she bought a book about Cretan cuisine - it's history and traditional recipes, and that is how she started to cook. She then became one of the pioneers for tourism in the area and held professional seminars on Cretan cuisine, which was focused on simple, healthy, organic meals. Mary became a Traveling Spoon host because she believes that sharing local home-cooked food is the best way to remember a city that you're visiting and to experience the real culture of the place!
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(1-20 guests)
In her stunning family-owned villa, which is by the sea, Mary has hosted cooking classes and meals for many years now. Her beautiful Cretan home has been a part of her family for many years. It is a short walk from Panormos, a pretty fishing village with a lovely beach and many bars and restaurants. In Mary's opinion, the secret of Cretan cuisine is simple recipes, with high quality local products. By sharing a tasty and healthy meal she aims for travelers to have a rich intercultural exchange and get to know Greek culinary traditions better. A typical meal at Mary's villa may include dishes such as local rusk, cheese and pickled vegetables, grilled lamb the Cretan way (it is called "ofto" and it's known since Minoan era), seasonal pie, salad and desert - fruits, or yogurt with honey. All menu's are seasonal, local and healthy, you can also curate a menu with Mary while booking the experience, based on your preferences.
Cooking experience:
(1-10 guests)
If you're looking for local things to do in Crete for food lovers, join Mary in her seaside villa for a cooking class. As you enter Mary’s villa, you’ll be greeted by the scent of her garden and sweeping panoramic views of the sea and surrounding cliffs. A passionate advocate for preserving Crete’s culinary roots, Mary cooks with locally sourced, organic ingredients - often straight from her garden or the nearby market. In your 3-hour Crete cooking class, learn to cook authentic Cretan dishes using fresh, seasonal produce. The class can be either hands-on or a demonstration, so be sure to share your preference in advance.
You’ll cook a starter and a main course, such as ofto lamb or fresh seafood, a savory pie made from local wild greens, and a roasted vegetable or seasonal salad. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the meal you've helped prepare on Mary's terrace while taking in the stunning scenery (weather permitting). If you've chosen the evening experience, you’ll dine with a view of the sunset. Your meal includes local wine (white or red), tsikoudia-raki (a traditional spirit), herbal tea, or fresh juice.
Notes:
Please carry your swimwear if you'd like to take a dip in the crystal clear sea, which is just in front of the house. Mary can accommodate a vegetarian diet, please let her know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, when booking your cooking class in Panormos, Crete online.
Languages spoken:
Greek, English, French
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
Our afternoon with Mary was far beyond anything we expected — truly one of the highlights of our entire trip. Mary is a very special person: kind, genuine, and a wonderful host. From the moment she contacted us before the class, she made sure we had all the details we needed to find her home and feel comfortable.
Her house itself is beautiful — perched on a scenic cliffside with amazing views — and immediately felt warm and welcoming. She greeted us outside with a big smile, and as my mother said later, “it couldn’t have been a better day.”
We started with tea and conversation on her patio, followed by preparing local appetizers (with a little raki, of course!) before moving on to the main meal. The dishes were simple, traditional, and deeply flavorful — but what made it so special was Mary’s passion for Cretan cooking and her deep knowledge of its history and traditions.
This isn’t a “restaurant-style” experience. It’s much more personal and real — an afternoon in the home of someone who opens her life to complete strangers and treats them like family. It’s rare to find something this honest and heartfelt anywhere, and we left feeling incredibly grateful.
If you’re looking for a genuine local experience — not commercial, not polished for tourists, but warm, intimate, and full of meaning — you won’t find anything better than spending an afternoon with Mary.
-
Lance
October 28, 2025
Mary is not only the best cook, but an amazing human. The night truly felt like we were
spending time with an old friend / family. We had great conversations and even better
food. Not to mention, her farmhouse is beautiful and on the water!
-
Monica
October 07, 2025
Superb experience! A wonderful encounter and an exceptional moment of sharing and tasting. To be repeated without hesitation.
-
Julien
April 19, 2025
The cooking experience with Mary was fantastic, she was an excellent host and the food was delicious. We would particularly recommend the evening experience as the view and sunset from the terrace was spectacular.
Mary was very passionate about Cretan cooking but she was also very knowledgeable about Cretan history and culture. We could have sat and chatted with her over a glass of Raki for hours!!
-
XN2201IN
August 31, 2023
A culinary delight. The cooking experience with Mary was fantastic, she was an excellent host and the food was delicious. We would particularly recommend the evening experience as the view and sunset from the terrace was spectacular.
Mary was very passionate about Cretan cooking but she was also very knowledgeable about Cretan history and culture. We could have sat and chatted with her over a glass of Raki for hours!!
-
Nicola
August 09, 2023
