Want to learn how to make tzatziki? It needn't be all Greek



I enjoyed the recent feature about learning holidays, particularly the piece about cooking in Goa ("Cook up a new skill", January 21). However, I am Greek and my French wife would like to learn the basics of the cuisine somewhere in Greece this summer. Can you help? Greece is an excellent place in which to learn a new skill at the same time as having a holiday. There are numerous cooking schools, but one which comes highly recommended is Diane Kochilas' Glorious Greek Kitchen on the eastern Aegean island of Ikaria. Diane, an American of Greek descent, is a chef and cookbook author who runs courses at the 100-year-old villa she shares with her husband. There are week-long cooking courses in summer which cover iconic dishes such as soufiko, a Greek version of ratatouille, and dolmades, grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts, raisins, and mint. The course includes visits to colourful local food shops and their owners including Kollia the baker and Diamanto Plaka, an elderly woman who makes goat's cheese from her herd's milk. Accommodation is at the nearby Hotel Cavos Bay. Class sizes are a maximum of 10 and courses cost from $2,706 (Dh9,940) per person for six nights including lodging, classes, meals and excursions, based on two sharing a room. For further details, visit www.dianekochilas.com.

Do you have travel questions or queries? If so, e-mail them to us at travel@thenational.ae

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

Feeding the thousands for iftar

Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth 

Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people

The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box

350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley

Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.