Meni Valle
Born to Greek parents, Meni grew up surrounded by tradition and a love of food. Meni’s love of travel, a rich Greek heritage and great skill in the kitchen has seen the Melbourne-based cook become one of Australia’s most-respected authorities on Mediterranean cuisine.
Meni has 7 cookbooks to date, including the award-winning IKARIA which was awarded the Eugeine Brazier prize for the transmission of women’s culinary heritage, a French prize created for cooking books written by women.
She lives with her family in Melbourne.
Stephanie Stamatis
Stephanie Stamatis is an Australian based Art Director exploring the intersection of food and still life photography.
Drawing inspiration from nostalgia, Stephanie lends her signature aesthetic and love of object and food to editorial and commercial clients - unfurling the medium to a reverence of the daily, poetic and surreal.
Lean Timms
Lean Timms is an Australian travel and lifestyle photographer working across editorial, commercial and publishing fields.
Forever exploring and full of curiosity for this world, Lean’s greatest love is to discover and document inspiring places and stories. Lean’s approach to photography is driven by natural light, in situ spontaneity, storytelling, sharing and capturing a genuine sense of place.
Lean is currently based on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, Canberra Australia.
Retreat inclusions:
Return transfers to and from Thessaloniki airport
Accommodation
Welcome drinks and meze on arrival
Daily breakfast
Lunches and dinners
Transfers to excursions
Cooking and photography workshops
Presenters available during the entire retreat
Knowledge of the Mediterranean diet
Additional highlights
A full day trip to Thessaloniki, a guided tour and lunch
A unique Olive oil masterclass
A unique Winery tour and tastings
3 cooking workshops
Retreat exclusions:
International flights to and from Thessaloniki, Greece
Travel insurance
Extra beverages or alcoholic drinks during meals
Other expenses of personal nature and tips
Itinerary
Day 1 – Tuesday 16th September, 2025
12 pm pick up from a central point in Thessaloniki (the trip takes around 1 hour)
Welcome to Afytos, Halkidiki
Check in to Elies 33 Bio Retreat
Welcome drinks and meze
Settle into rooms - the whole place will be ours!
2 pm Photography Workshop with Lean
Lean Timms will lead a food and travel photography class focused on transportive storytelling, guiding and empowering you with the tools to build your very personal framework so you can tell your own stories through your own unique lens.
4 pm Beach/free time
8 pm Aperitif and welcome dinner
Day 2 – Wednesday 17th September
Swim or walk (optional)
9 am – Breakfast
10 am - Workshop with Stephanie
Stephanie Stamatis will share 10 years of food styling experience in which she has crafted her own personal and iconic style. Learn to craft a set of images from beginning to end, hone your storytelling through photography and create magic moments with food.
12 pm - Cooking workshop with Meni
Meni will lead a cooking workshop. Learn about the Greek Mediterranean diet, and the recipes and stories that inspired Meni to document traditional recipes and write cookbooks
Lunch
3 pm - Winery visit
Immersive Wine Experience at Ktima (Domaine) Gerovassiliou.
Ktima Gerovassiliou is a single private vineyard stretching over 95 hectares. The climate in the region of Epanomi is Mediterranean with mild winters and hot summers, tempered by sea breezes. The vineyard is surrounded on three sides by the sea, which is four kilometres distant, while its west side faces Thermaic Gulf and Mount Olympus, and the beaches of Pieria.
The vineyard is cultivated according to the standards of an Integrated Management System that aims to produce wine grapes following a certified cultivation procedure according to AGRO 2.1-2.2, meeting all relevant quality and safety requirements and respecting the environment, the vineyard’s employees and the consumers. The primary concern is the meticulous care of the vineyard, and therefore all rural tasks - including harvest - are done by hand. Greek and foreign varieties have been planted and are cultivated with great care: Malagousia -first vinified by Vangelis Gerovassiliou- and Assyrtiko -originally from the island of Santorini- are the Greek white varieties of the estate, while Limnio - an ancient Greek variety mentioned by Aristophanes in the 5th century BC Mavroudi, Mavrotragano and Xinomavro are the Greek red varieties. Furthermore, French white varieties -Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier- and reds -Syrah and Merlot- are also cultivated. In parallel, Ktima Gerovassiliou is continuously experimenting and studying the cultivation of both Greek and foreign varieties.
8 pm – Dinner
Day 3 – Thursday 18th September
Swim or walk (optional)
9 am - Breakfast
10 am - Cooking workshop with Meni
Lunch
2 pm - Olive Oil Workshop: Discover the World of Liquid Gold
Join us for an interactive and immersive olive oil workshop, where participants will have the unique opportunity to explore every aspect of this exceptional product. Here’s what you can look forward to:
1. Discover the Journey of Olive Oil
Learn about the olive tree and its fruit, from cultivation and harvesting to the olive oil extraction process. Gain insights into Greece’s significant role in the global olive oil industry.
2. Practical Tips for Everyday Use
Master essential tips on proper olive oil storage to preserve its quality and learn how to make the most of its versatility in cooking and everyday life.
3. Taste Award-Winning Olive Oils
Savour 4-5 award-winning Greek olive oils, each representing a different variety and region.
4. Explore the Characteristics of High-Quality Olive Oil
Experience firsthand the sensory attributes that define premium olive oil, including aroma, flavour, and texture.
5. Olive Oil vs. Sunflower Oil: A Tasting Experience
Understand the key differences in taste, quality, and benefits by comparing olive oil with sunflower oil.
6. Food Pairing with Olive Oil
Discover creative ways to pair olive oil with various dishes to elevate your culinary creations, with tips you can experiment with at home. Perfect for anyone passionate about food, health, and culinary excellence, deepening your knowledge of olive oil and indulge in its rich flavours!
Free afternoon with frappe in Afytos village
8 pm - Dinner
Day 4 – Friday 19th September
Swim or walk (optional)
8 am - Breakfast
9 am - Day trip to Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki City Secrets Tour with a professional guide.
We’ll show you the thriving food and culture spots of Thessaloniki that reflect the pulse of Greek people’s hearts – bustling, warm and full of life! Throughout the tour you will enjoy stories about Greek culture, customs and traditions and immerse into the richness of local life, while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of the different areas of the city (lunch and free time included).
Farewell dinner in Afytos…live music!
Day 5 – Saturday 20th September
Swim or walk (optional)
9 am - Breakfast
10 am - Q&A time.
Ask whatever comes to mind; food and the blue zones; photography; social media; styling; business; researching recipes; writing a cookbook and where to start.11:30 am - Photography Session
Come together with Lean and Stephanie and create a set of images putting all into practice, shooting and styling with one-on-one advice.1 pm - Picnic style lunch
Farewells and goodbyes
3 pm - Departure for Thessaloniki airport
What people are saying about Meni’s retreats…
“Attending Meni’s creative retreat in Ikaria was nothing short of magical. Meni has curated an experience that is both inspiring and deeply enriching, immersing you deeply in the beautiful and vibrant lifestyle of this very special island.
Each day was filled with the joy of discovering local culinary traditions, beautifully complemented by creative food and photography sessions from inspiring teachers.
It's the perfect balance of learning, relaxation, and creativity. I left with cherished memories, new friends, a heart full of gratitude and feeling truly nourished creatively. I adored it. Highly recommend to anyone seeking a creative and inspiring escape!”
- Vic Irwin
“Meni organised the most amazing trip to Ikaria. It was well organised from the outset with plans set for each day and workshop events scattered throughout the week. We had plenty of time to also relax and absorb the beautiful surrounds of Ikaria.
It was such blessing to see how the Greek people live and their ’slow living’ way of life, it really was a huge contrast to the busy life of the cities and a true joy to be part of.
Meni’s connections throughout the Island meant that we were able to visit local residents which was such a unique part of the trip as we were able to get a real taste of life in Ikaria. The little restaurants and cafes that Meni found were amazing and the food was a real highlight. Traditional fresh Greek food filled our days and we were never far from our next amazing meal.
It is not a regular trip to the Islands that is for sure, and we learnt a lot along the way through the various cooking demonstrations, styling and photography. I would thoroughly recommend any trip with Meni as her local insights create a very personalised experience.”
- Georgie Gavel
Cost
5 days and 4 nights at Elies 33 bio retreat – entirely booked just for us for this retreat.
$995 non-refundable deposit required upon booking, remaining payment due on or before 21 July 2025
$4221 AUD (per person) Standard room (4 rooms available)
$4445 AUD (per person) Superior garden room (2 rooms available)
$4581 AUD (per person) Superior sea view room (2 rooms available)
$3785 AUD (per person, twin share) Junior garden room (2 rooms available)
$3997 AUD (per person, twin share) Junior sea view suite (1 room available)
Includes all meals, drinks with meals, bus transfers, activities, excursions and accommodation.
A signed booking form is required, together with payment of a $995 non-refundable deposit, to confirm your booking. The booking form together with terms and conditions can be found here and returned via email to meni@menivalle.com.au.
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