Traditional cooking class in Komani lake, Shkoder, Albania

Meet Marjana

Marjana graduated in political science and international relations but her biggest passions are nature, anthropology, gastronomy and farming. She is excited to share stories of the beautiful mountains where she grew up, share their unforgotten traditions, and simple, local food. She and her family, run a farm stay just above the Komani lake, which has breath-taking, scenic views of the mesmerizing fjords. The Komani lake and Dukagjin region, where Marjana lives, is one of the most isolated areas in Europe. It has only recently opened up for tourism, in 2010, by her brother Mario. It is one of the few regions in Balkan that was not invaded, which has made it possible for the cuisine to stay authentic, untouched, and virgin – just as the nature in this region. Marjana’s family cooks peasant food, using local, fresh ingredients and family recipes inherited from her grandmother. When we asked Marjana why she would like to be a Traveling Spoon host, this is what she had to say, “I feel deeply connected to my area and I want to share with the world the amazing cuisine we have and the great importance of eating locally, growing your own food, and being sustainable. Albania is a small diverse country. My area is quite isolated with immersing beauty and unique cuisine.” Her moto is: Connect, Preserve, Revive

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: (1-5 guests) Marjana will welcome you to her traditional Kulla style house (stone house) situated among the glorious mountains of the Dukagjini region for an Albanian cooking class. She lives with her family - mother brother, his wife and their children. This is the ideal place to experience the slow-life; far away from civilization and the fast world - an opportunity to re-connect with mother nature, our roots and also try local food, all of which is home grown and organic. Marjana has inherited recipes that have been used for centuries in her family. She is so keen on preserving it with a lot of love and care - by only using local, seasonal produce, traditional cooking techniques and even eating with your hands. Explore one of the last virgin treasures of Europe - high mountains, pristine waters, scenic views, and historical villages that will take your breath away. You will share a traditional, home-cooked meal - simple, peasant food, using very basic ingredients that grow in the highlands. They are mostly self-sufficient, they grown their own produce or connect with other farmers around them to source for ingredients. You can either sit down on the floor and use your hands or sit at the table and use utensils to share this meal you helped prepare.

Cooking experience: (1-5 guests) In your cooing class in Albania, you will join Marjana in her traditional kitchen where they cook on fire. First take a short walk around the rural farmhouse to see the produce they grow, meet their farm animals and then later learn to cook using cherished family recipes. Marjana learned to cook from her mother, she is fascinated how each recipe has a story behind it, and is so excited to share this with travelers. The cooking class will be hands-on and you will use a slow cooking technique, where everything is cooked on fire, using simple, basic ingredients available in the region! This is a 3 hour cooking class where you will cook three dishes from scratch. Learn to make kryelane (one of the oldest traditional dishes in the mountains, it is a sweet bread, made of just flour, butter and sugar or honey) or grosh (beans), maze (corn dish similar to polenta - corn is fried and boiled with water and butter) and kulac kollomoqi (baked corn pie). After cooking, share the meal you helped prepare.

Notes: Marjana can offer lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals, on request. As Marjana runs a homestay, there maybe other travelers on the property, however, your cooking class will be private.

From Shkoder, it is possible to reach Marjana's home via public transport or taxi and boat. There are boats that depart at around 10am from the harbor in Shkoder (Koman port). After 1 hour of sailing (among the mesmerizing fjords) you will reach Marjana's home, it is a 3 minute walk from where the boat will drop you. Please note the internet in the highlands is very patchy, so please connect with Marjana at least 2–5 days before your arrival, to get accurate directions to her home.

The boat has only two timings: it departs at 10am from Shkoder Koman port and on the return the boat leaves from Marjana's home at 3pm. Please note that Marjana also offers accommodation, which you can book directly with her. So if you take the dinner time experience, you will have to stay back and take the 8am boat (the next day), from Marjana's home back to Shkoder Koman port.

Languages spoken: English, Italian

Sample menu

• Kryelane (sweet bread) or grosh (beans)
• Maze (corn dish similar to polenta)
• Kulac kollomoqi (baked corn pie).