Embark on your own gastronomic odyssey

Rick Stein is back on our screens and back in the best-seller list with tales of his ‘Far Eastern Odyssey’.

During his travels Britain’s favourite seafood chef rested his head at The Majestic Malacca in Malaysia, even recommending the hotel in his recipe book.

Inspired guests and visitors can now also learn the art of local cuisine on their new Peranakan Culinary Journey cooking course. Hosted by Malaysian Peranakan Chef Kenny Chan, a popular Malaysian entertainer and well-loved chef, guests will enjoy an interactive cooking class followed by a sampling of each dish prepared and an insight into the historical significance and origins of this unique cuisine.

The session costs RM250/£43 and includes tuition, tasting and a recipe book to re-create the magic at home (Children can join the class for free). Deluxe Rooms cost from $250/£152 per night. For reservations and enquiries, see majesticmalacca.com.

Become a wine connoisseur in the Maldives

Whilst it may not be the most obvious destination to hone your wine tasting skills, the Maldives has the perfect answer to those seeking a more tropical twist on the traditional wine experience. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is home to over 30,000 bottles stored both in their under-ground Wine Cellar and in The Wine Bar where a selection of 101 unpasteurised cheeses is ready to be ‘paired’ by willing guests.

This huge collection is selected by the resort’s Master of Wine Ron Georgiou, who returns to the resort from 18-19 November to offer guests a two-day wine experience. Teaming up with the Executive Chef, guests will experience degustation sensations in Ithaa, the world’s first all-glass under-sea restaurant and The Wine Cellar, where individual TV screens charting the origins of each wine will guide guests through a hands-on gourmet experience.

For event reservations and pricing email maldivesinfo@conradhotels.com. Kuoni (kuoni.co.uk) offers seven-nights at the resort in November on bed and breakfast basis in a deluxe beach villa, including flights with Emirates (via Dubai) from Heathrow with seaplane transfers in resort, access to the VIP lounge in Male airport on departure and an airport lounge in the UK from £4127 per person based on two sharing.

Olive Oil Festival in Malta

Italy’s not the only destination where visitors can be treated to the gourmet delights of freshly pressed olive oil, in fact the 26th and 27th September sees the town of Zejtun in Malta play host to an Olive Oil Festival where festivities take place to celebrate the start of the olive picking season. Long ago an olive oil producing country, Malta is reverting back to tradition and the industry is being revived.

Visitors will be treated to complimentary tastings of Maltese ftaijar bread dressed in freshly pressed olive oil whilst learning more about the folklore and history behind olive oil production. Taking the form of a traditional Maltese village fair, a procession of farmers and village folk carrying the produce ready for pressing will head through the village surrounded by drummers, folk singers, dancers and medieval costumes a plenty, creating a truly Maltese festivity.

Air Malta flies from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham from as little as £99 return including taxes and charges. For reservations and a full event calendar visit airmalta.com.

Be a private island chef for a day

Malaysia’s Pangkor Laut Resort has always strived to provide the finest dining experience for its guests, but with the introduction of the new Chef’s Kitchen Experience the award winning private island resort has decided to spill the beans on the culinary secrets that go into making their five star gourmet dishes.

The day begins with a private breakfast in the chef’s dining room to introduce guests to traditional South East Asian breakfast specialties such as Roti Canai and Nasi Lemak, before departing the Island resort by speedboat to help bring in the day's catch. Budding chefs will spend the morning preparing appetizers in the sea facing kitchens of the Feast Village, using the fish combined with local seasonal ingredients to create an array of inspirational dishes such as Yam Talay Seafood Salad and Ikan Bakar.

Guests are then whisked away for a lunchtime break spent rejuvenating in the resort’s world-renowned Spa Village, before preparing a selection of traditional South East Asian main courses such as Beef Rendang and Soto Ayam.The Chef’s Kitchen Experience costs from RM450/£78 pp including a certificate, apron and cap as souvenirs. Children can join the class at no additional charge.

Visit pangkorlautresort.com for details. Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) offers seven nights in a Garden Villa at the resort from £1049 per person. Price includes flights & return private transfers, one free night and complimentary daily breakfast, saving over £400 per couple and is valid for departures 1 October to 23 November 2009.

Benefit from some stat training in Mauritius

With a Michelin trained chef overseeing the Kitchens at The Grand Mauritian, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, guests can be guaranteed a true foodie education. Choose from the two hour ‘Grand Sommelier’s Cheese & Wine Tasting’ held in the Wine Cellar with legendary sommelier ‘Bugs’ or take it one step further with the ‘Grand Sommelier’s Gourmet Wine Cellar Dinner’ where six enticing courses, from exotic marinated sea bass with lime, orange and pink pepper to grilled lobster, are matched perfectly with wines selected by the Executive Chef and Sommelier.

For a truly tropical flavour the ‘Five Senses Beach Dinner’ is a must. Designed to combine the elements of taste, touch, smell, sight and sound, the evocative gastronomic experience offers guests the opportunity to taste a selection of meats, seafood and cheeses all complemented by wines from three different countries in a paradise setting. And if you fancy something a little more hands on, get into the kitchen for a lesson in Mauritian Cuisine in the ‘Chef’s Experience’.

Food experiences cost from €48/£42 per person – visit thegrandmauritian.com for details. Virgin Holidays (virginholidays.co.uk) offers seven-nights in December from £1794 per person including direct scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow, accommodation in a Deluxe room, breakfast and transfers based on two sharing.