http://www.e-gulfbank.com Fanatical foodies will find plenty of delicious treats. Discover the art of making sushi, prepare homemade pasta at an Italian Cookery Class or dine on the Orient Express. From romantic river cruises on the Thames or Seine to an unforgettable banquet at Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons, there's an extensive menu of epicurean pleasures to enjoy. en-us 01/11/2007 11:55:00 AM 23/04/2008 3:55:12 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Tea_Tasting_and_Blending_with_Alex_Probyn_-_Master_Tea_Blender.jsp A good cup of tea is as much a part of contemporary British culture as a trip to the local curry house. Everyone loves a cuppa, but how much do you actually know about what you're drinking? Has your tea gone through the 'cut, tear, curl' process or the orthodox process? And just what is the difference between black tea and oolong tea? Who better to explain all than Alex Probyn, a master tea blender who has tasted over a million cups of tea... and counting! (Not bad considering that the average person will drink 50,000 cups in their lifetime.) After talking about the history, origin, manufacture and different styles of tea, you'll taste a combination of up to 24 teas, including white, green, oolong, black, herbal and teas of the world. Alex will teach you the art of slurping and spitting (all in the best possible taste) and then you'll get the chance to put your newfound skills into practice by creating your very own blend each to take home with you. 31/03/2008 3:25:02 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Tea_Tasting_and_Blending_with_Alex_Probyn_-_Master_Tea_Blender.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Cookery_Masterclass.jsp Hazlewood Castle was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086, and has been the location for some spectacular feasting down the centuries. Now it's the perfect location for this great foodie experience. You'll start off with a two-course lunch at the fabulous Restaurant Anise (where the cooking has come on a lot since 1086). Then you'll go for a brief tour of the castle. Next it's time for some hands-on fun, with a two-hour cookery demonstration from head chef Valerie Hamelin. French-born Valerie is a previous winner of the League of Chefs and finalist in Elite Chef of the Year - so this is a woman who knows a thing or two about cooking. She'll show you how to prepare a variety of dishes, some classic, others with a twist. The demonstration includes a tasting session and you'll get copies of the recipes to take home. Remember to leave room for afternoon tea and cakes at Restaurant Anise at the end of your experience. 31/03/2008 3:24:57 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Cookery_Masterclass.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Food/An_Italian_Cookery_Masterclass.jsp Step into the state-of-the-art kitchen studio owned by Giancarlo and Katie Caldesi of BBC2's Return to Tuscany for a mouth-watering experience. Learn how to create delicious Italian dishes to wow friends and family - even if your culinary prowess extends no further than boiling an egg! On arrival, enjoy tea or coffee and biscotti or freshly made Focaccia. Then the chef will demonstrate the seasonal pasta dishes you're going to prepare. Pay attention, it's your turn next - get your apron on and your hands dirty creating your very own Italian masterpieces. Friendly, expert advice and help are on hand throughout, and once everything is cooked, you can reap the rewards of your hard work by sitting down to enjoy your creations in the light, airy kitchen seated area. Water, tea and coffee are available all day, and you'll also take home a free gift. 31/03/2008 3:25:21 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Food/An_Italian_Cookery_Masterclass.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Sushi_School_Experience.jsp Sushi is healthy, tasty and terribly trendy. But hardly anyone tries to make it at home - because surely something so beautiful must really be impossible...? Not so. With this experience you'll learn all about sushi and how to make it yourself at home. It's run by the experts at YO! Sushi, and it's all great fun. You'll start off with a talk on the history of sushi (don't worry - it's a lot more interesting than it sounds) before watching a demonstration by top YO! chefs. Then it's your turn to try it for yourself, preparing three different types of sushi, with the expert advice and help of the chefs. You'll also get lots of tips on how to make sushi at home. You'll learn all about the different types of sushi, fish, rice and vegetable ingredients and then enjoy a special YO! bento box (because you're bound to be hungry, with all this food around). You'll also take home a sushi rolling mat - essential for your new hobby as a home sushi chef! 31/03/2008 3:24:43 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Sushi_School_Experience.jsp http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Chocolate_Heaven_Workshop.jsp This fabulous chocolate workshop begins with an informative talk on the history of chocolate, either by a master chocolatier, who served as the Head Pastry Chef at the Ritz Hotel in both London and Paris, or by an experienced chocolatier. Sample the chocolate fountain before you move onto the creative part of the workshop, making truffle fillings, then dipping your truffles into Belgian chocolate and decorating them with a variety of toppings and coverings. As a delicious memento of your experience, you'll take home between 40 and 50 Belgian chocolates, all wrapped, designed and made by you, to share with friends and family - or to save as a special treat. 31/03/2008 3:24:53 PM http://www.e-gulfbank.com/eng/personal/redExperiences/Gourmet/Chocolate_Heaven_Workshop.jsp