We do not have customers or clients. For nearly thirty years it has been our privilege and pleasure to look after guests.
We are passionate about making people feel special, creating an environment that is special, facilitating events whether they be gourmet weekends, coooking schools, tour programs - that are special.
Our life is about hospitality, and this flows into every aspect of our business.
Howqua Dale Gourmet Retreat HowquaDale was launched in 1977 for 6 guests at a time. Established in the modern homestead that was part of a much larger Stegley-owned Hereford Cattle station on the sublime Howqua River, retreats were from the outset conceived as a whole-of-living experience: all-inclusive weekends, fine dining matched to regional wines, country pursuits, generosity, conviviality, the first communal table. visit our website (link above) and read more.
The Cooking School When Howqua Dale established in the 1970's, rural Australia was a gastronomic desert. It quickly established its reputation as an oasis for food lovers. Cooking three years in an open-kitchen piqued so many guests' curiosity: "where did you get those ingredients? how did you cook that dish?", that Marieke was often engaged in culinary conversations with guests across the bench. That and presenting cooking demonstrations far and wide, inevitably led to the establishment of cooking retreats.
Classes began in 1984. Every year since, Marieke teaches a Spring and Autumn class that is produce, seasonally-driven.
The most innovative and respected chefs are also invited to teach. And so the generations of chefs who represent the real culinary history of contemporary Australian cooking have all passed through our kitchen, leaving behind their wisdom, their inspiration and their immense creativity.
Gourmet Tours of Australia has been offering journeys of a lifetime for over 30 years.
As the leading travel and gastronomic company for food lovers, wine lovers, inquisitive travellers and cultured adventurers, we offer:
Escorted luxury and gourmet tours to exotic destinations around the world from Rajasthan, South Africa, Portugal, to Turkey, France, Bhutan, and Bali.
Cooking + Gastronomic Tours led by renowned chef Marieke. 2007 Culinary Programs in South India and Normandy, France.
Expert tailor-made Individual Itineraries and Travel Arrangements for indepenent travellers to each of our destinations.
Unique Australian Wine + Gourmet Tours tailored for small private Groups.
