Dev Biswal, owner of The Cook’s Tale restaurant in Canterbury, has announced a 10-day culinary tour to Morocco (27 September to 6 October).
The tour costs £3250, with a nominal £200 additional charge for solo travellers, including flights ex Gatwick, wine tasting, cooking class, guided visits and 19 sumptuous meals.
The trip comprises 4 nights in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, another 4 in the charming coastal town of Essaouira and a night in the magical Agafay Desert.
Full itinerary details at www.thecookstale.co.uk/morocco
Dev will also be leading a return visit to Croatia and one to his native India in 2025. Details to be announced.
The Cook’s Tale is a fine dining Anglo-Indian venue, offering modern Mumbai dining on a hyper local culinary journey. Restaurant diners have the opportunity to sample Biswal’s unique take on Moroccan food, with a special 8-course Seafood Tasting Menu which highlights the commonality between Moroccan and Indian food.
The menu features: Mango sherbet lassi; Turmeric seafood soup with stuffed cocktail paratha; Crab samosas/brouiats; Tandoori sardine; Prawn kofta in a spicy Harissa sauce served with saffron rice pilaf; Wild bass tagine with garam masala and naan; Warm semolina halwa with orange blossom and cinnamon ice cream; and Moroccan chai with handmade biscuits.
Available until 31 May for £69.99 (£99.99 with paired wines), or £49.99 and £79.99 if prebooked before 22 April. Details at www.thecookstale.co.uk/moroccan-indian-cuisine.
“Visiting Morocco for the first time was a real eye-opener,” said Biswal ,who grew up in Kolkata, “I was amazed by the similarities between Moroccan and Indian cuisines, our food and cultures have more in common than I could have possibly imagined.”
Biswal rebranded his restaurant (formerly The Ambrette) and closed his outlying two restaurants of the same name in Margate and Rye, to refocus his attentions on guided culinary tours and cookery masterclasses.
The name pays homage to the character of apprentice Perkyn Revelour from Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th century Canterbury Tales anthology, who is rather fond of wine, women and song.
Closer to home, Dev also runs Canterbury Experiences which offers tailored ‘culinary pilgrimages, taking in the local area’s beautiful countryside, working closely with local partners and Visit Canterbury tourist office. Details at www.thecookstale.co.uk/experiences
The Chef’s Tale, 14-15 Beer Cart Lane, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2NY
T: 01227 200 777 www.theambrette.co.uk
Dishes showcase much of the locality’s finest, sustainable local produce, exclusively created using ingredients sourced from within 30 minutes of the kitchen. Dev Biswal grew up in Orissa, was educated in Calcutta and trained at the Dubai Sheraton, before moving to London, aged 26 in 2003 for spells at Mangoes and Eriki.
