Cooking Class on Hvar Island: A Farm-to-Table Experience
Description
Kornelija and Morana, a mother-daughter duo, hope to offer simple, authentic dishes from the Island of Hvar. So that people visiting get a feeling that they are at their Nonna’s house, tasting the very essence of the island and its gastronomic history. Together they wish to share the local Hvar cuisine, introducing travelers to ingredients that are native to the island. - A farm-to-table experience in Hvar amidst a field in UNESCO-protected Stari Grad Plain, a beautiful outdoor settling overlooking the garden and fields - Your Hvar cooking class starts with a garden tour and in your 1-hour cooking class learn to make Hvar salsa - Enjoy a traditional 3 course meal served with an aperitif, dessert and wine - Sample some local produce - goat cheese aged for several months in extra virgin olive oil, salted blue fish, olives, capers, and/or pickled sea flowers drizzled with extra virgin olive oil - Great experience for those interested in experiencing culture through food
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your Hvar cooking class starts with a garden tour, you will have the unique opportunity to handpick your own tomatoes and aromatic herbs from the herb garden. You will be guided through the field, learning about different types of tomatoes and herbs, native to the island. Then proceed for your outdoor cooking class. It is a 1-hour hands-on cooking class where you will learn to make Hvar salsa. The Hvar salsa will be made from scratch and will be used as a part of two additional dishes on the menu - octopus stew and bruschetta. Kornelija will guide you step-by-step to make the salsa using ripe tomatoes, herbs, garlic, onions, and local olive oil. You will chop and mix the ingredients to create a flavorful salsa, balancing the freshness of the tomatoes with the aromatic herbs. Then use the Hvar salsa to create bruschetta and incorporate it into a traditional Hvar octopus stew.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All aperitifs and a wine (red or white) are included in the cost of your experience. For non-alcoholic beverages, they offer a homemade elderflower juice and still water.
- They promote regenerative tourism and agriculture, and their family-made products (olive oil, rakija, teas, cheeses, spices) are available for purchase upon request.
- DIETARY ACCOMMODATION: The main course 'Traditional Hvar Octopus Stew' may be replaced upon request with Black Cuttlefish Risotto for guests who do not eat octopus, or Red Beetroot Risotto for vegan or vegetarian guests. Gluten-free and lactose-free adaptations of the entire menu are available upon request. All other adaptations are also available upon request (kosher, pareve or other changes of the traditional menu).
Reviews(2)
Kornelija is a lovely, kind, and hospitable woman who made us feel very welcome. However, what she offers is not really a cooking class. The only food preparation we participated in was chopping an onion and a tomato; everything else had already been prepared in advance, and we were not involved in the cooking process. The experience was essentially a two-course meal with dessert, which did not justify the price. The food was decent, but it was not particularly memorable or special. The highlight of the experience was definitely tasting her homemade brandies. I genuinely wish Kornelija well because she is a warm and likable host. That said, I believe the experience would benefit from more hands-on cooking and greater guest involvement to meet expectations of a true cooking class.
For my mom’s birthday, I planned a special day at Poje Hvar, and it turned out to be more magical than I could have imagined, thanks to Kornelija. From the moment we arrived at her UNESCO-protected family estate in Stari Grad, Kornelija’s warmth and hospitality made us feel like old friends rather than guests. She guided us through every step of making traditional Croatian salsa—a flavorful and versatile sauce we paired with octopus and crispy fried polenta cakes. Strolling through her garden, we handpicked fresh ingredients for our meal, all while Kornelija shared fascinating stories about the history of Stari Grad. The experience was more than culinary; it was cultural and deeply personal. But what made the day truly unforgettable was how Kornelija went above and beyond to celebrate my mom. She surprised her with a homemade olive oil cake, baked just for the occasion, complete with a thoughtful birthday banner. It was such a heartfelt gesture that brought my mom to happy tears. We also tasted Kornelija’s homemade Rakija, olive oil, and goat cheese, alongside wines from her neighbor, all of which showcased the flavors and traditions of Hvar. By the end of the day, we didn’t just leave with full stomachs—we left with full hearts and a newfound connection to this beautiful place and its people. If you’re looking for an experience that’s authentic, intimate, and utterly unforgettable, Poje Hvar with Kornelija is it. Her kindness and dedication to sharing her heritage are unmatched, and I can’t wait to see her again when our paths cross in Zagreb.
Dear Monica, Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful and heartfelt review. It brought a smile to all of us at Traveling Spoon. Your words perfectly capture the magic that Kornelija creates - her generosity, her deep-rooted connection to Hvar, and her joy in sharing it all so personally with her guests. We are especially touched by how our host Kornelija celebrated your mom’s birthday with such care and thoughtfulness. That’s exactly the kind of authentic, soul-filled hospitality we hope to make possible through every Traveling Spoon experience. We’re so happy that your time at Poje Hvar was filled with such meaningful memories and local flavor! From handpicked ingredients to homemade rakija and cake, it sounds like a truly unforgettable day. We can’t wait to welcome you and your mom again on another culinary adventure, in Zagreb or in any of our 230+ destinations around the world! Thank you for your support of Traveling Spoon. With gratitude, Aashi Founder, Traveling Spoon
