One of the main reasons for opting for a villa rental instead of a hotel is the access to a fully equipped gourmet kitchen while away from home. Whether you are cooking yourself or hiring a private chef, we have tips.
Ask About Kitchen Tools Available
When planning a meal, it’s important to think carefully about what equipment you will need to make your recipes from start to finish. Most often, Exotic Estates provides detailed lists and photos of villa amenities, but if you are ever unsure of inventory, be sure to call your Villa Specialist to confirm. If your host doesn’t have an item you need, think about ways you might be able to come up with a solution using what is available (using a coffee filter as a sieve). Generally, our villa kitchens are stocked with all the essentials for holiday cooking!
Pay for Pre-Arrival Stocking
Companies offer pre-stocking services in most destinations. This is the easiest way to ensure all your favorites are on hand when you arrive. You will pay a premium, but arriving at your vacation home to find food, snacks, wines, and other favorites is priceless!
Pre-Mixes
Pre-mixes can be your friend while on vacation! They eliminate the need to buy sugar, flour, and baking powder just to make a couple of batches of pancakes or other baked treats. We tell our guests to pick up a bag of high-quality pre-mixes to make pancakes or bread chicken. If you are not interested in buying pre-made, you can always make it at home and bring it along in your checked baggage!
Use the BBQ
Warm-weather grilling and vacation tend to go hand in hand! Throwing fresh veggies and meat on the grill is a great way to craft quick meals for the family with very little cleanup. With everything happening outside, the kitchen will stay clean, and you will have less to deal with. Simple recipes can be great for hungry travelers, keeping the entire family happy and well-fed.
Pack Essentials
While lugging essential kitchen tools would be impossible for travel to tropical destinations like Hawaii, it might be beneficial for those traveling to some of our top ski-resort destinations. Our most highly recommended tool to bring along would be good, sharp cutting knives. If you are traveling by car, be sure to pack safely. Next on the list would be plastic storage bins and bags, as well as a reusable tote that can double as a grocery bag. We also suggest that our guests throw in their favorite spices and any nuts, grains, pasta, or oats that you and the family eat regularly.
Share the Duties
If you are traveling with other families or the rest of your extended family, plan a meal and divvy up the duties! You can assign your guests different tasks or items to bring/buy to make dinner and cleanup a breeze.
Enjoy Your Vacation!
Renting a vacation home versus staying at a hotel gives you the complete freedom to cook whatever you want, whenever you want! Cooking on vacation can be a lot of fun (and a huge money saver). We recommend checking out local farmer’s markets or food stands for fresh, local produce and buying your bread from fresh bakeries. Most importantly, relax, enjoy fresh, local food, and have fun!