Rick Stein's Mediterranean Escapes [DVD]

What a lovely DVD! I bought it based on the excellent reviews I had previously read. I was certainly not disappointed. Although Rick's objective is food focused, he manages however to portray the " flavour" of the country as well as its cuisine. The filming is beautifully done. Without going into too much detail of the countries visited, this DVD gives you the feeling of actually being in situ. Rick's interviews with the local people are so respectful and courteous. He isn't at all patronising as can be seen sometimes in travel programmes where they go out of their way to draw attention to local exceptions rather than the normal way of life. His attitude is so relaxed and easygoing. That, along with his pleasant sense of humour, make him, I think, a natural in front of the camera. Places included in the DVD are:- Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily. Puglia, Corfu, Mallorca, Cataluña, Morocco and Turkey. In each place he finds the best examples of the local speciality. Fish certainly comes over as his main cullinary interest. After seeing the dishes cooked (and eaten), we are sometimes taken back to Rick's kitchen in Cornwall where he makes a modified version of the original. The actual recipe part of the programme is not very detailed but I think this is what makes this DVD so enjoyable. It's more of a travel documentary with the emphasis placed on food. Saying that though, there are still some great cooking ideas to try out.

I am delighted with this DVD. I am a huge Rick Stein fan and also a passionate cook. I glean many of my ideas by watching cookery programs, especially ones showing different cultures. I love travelling and this DVD has only made me want to travel to some of the locations more! Delighful recipes which accompany the book brilliantly. I have already watched it many times and have tried out many of the recipes on my family .... with no complaints at all from them! As usual Rick is at his best and looks natural and relaxed whilst travelling around these beautiful countries. A dvd well worth buying.

At last Rick Stein Mediterranean Escapes is released on video - and a chance to own the wonderful record of Rick's gastronomic adventures in sunnier climes. Once again, his enthusiasm bubbles over as he eyes up wonderfully fresh produce with a view to creating delicious dishes, and not a supermarket in sight! If you are stuck indoors on a typical British summers day, listening to the rain beating on the windows, you couldn't do better than to lose yourself in this sumptuous collage of Mediterranean scenery, rustic villages, vibrant atmosphere, blue skies, sea, sun, and fantastic food. It's enough to lift the summertime blues!

What a delight! Watch an episode from this DVD after lunch or supper at your peril! You are most probably going to eat again! This is for the foodies out there! Rick Stein is the ultimate food-lover and his enthusiasm is contagious indeed! And to make it even more of a delight, he takes you on a journey through interesting places with beautiful scenes, done in a most professional way. I'm sure it's a team effort, and what a team! I'm ready to buy all Rick Stein's DVD's!

I was firstly given the book as a birthday present and subsequently bought the DVD which accompanied the TV series. I have thoroughly enjoyed both and would encourage other purchasers to buy both too. Whilst ostensibly a cookery programme it is much more than that. It is a rich tour of several Mediterranean countries showing the country and culture of each. It concentrates on family life and every day family recipes which the locals eat and enjoy away from the touristy trails. This,to me is first class and what I wanted to see. The DVD is interspersed with Rick's own variations of some of the recipes as not all the produce is available in the UK. The DVD Is a relaxing and very enjoyable way of following the recipes in the accompanying book. I found much inspiration to try new dishes and I would thoroughly recommend this to everyone.

I love this DVD because it's so much more than a bunch of recipe demonstrations, inspirational though these are. In his own personable low-key and laid-back way, Rick Stein gives brilliant insights into the history and culture of the countries he visits through the food that is eaten there. Recommended as a spirit booster on any day, but especially life-enhancing on rainy British Sundays.

Brilliantly Stein! I watched the S France episode randomly on TV and immediately ordered the DVD set so that I could watch the Moroccan episode. I like his easy style, the travelogue and attention to the people and customs with the odd recipe thrown in. I love Mediterranean food, landscape, climate, people and culture. If you do too, or if you're not sure, you will by the end of these programmes.

Rick's enthusiasm for "real" food and restaurants is refreshingly honest. I love how he intersects history and cultural references in a food programme.

Mi piace lo stile di Rick Stein e la sua semplicità nell'apprezzare la cucina. Peccato che é solo in inglese.

I enjoy watching this series. I always liked Italian and Greek food anyway, but I found a Turkish restaurant in my city that I go to regularly now because of this series. One thing that I found odd in this series is when Rick is in a restaurant kitchen in Sardinia or Sicily. He criticizes a British chef for cooking salmon and mascarpone cheese when he (this chef) is at home. Come one Rick - you asked this chef what he likes cooking for himself at home. He answered your question and you can't criticize him for his answer. At the same time he's standing beside a woman who uses two round shields to cook wild boar and potatoes - the kind of shields that Roman soldiers used to use 1500 years ago when they cooked their food. How many people are going to have two shields lying around their houses to cook lamb and potatoes in. Really Rick? I agree with you that the food we like best is the food that reminds us of our childhood. Not all of us have Roman shields to cook our food in. Other than that, I go a lot of ideas for things I like to cook for myself and my Dad.

As a German I can say that I realy admire the shows from Rick Stein a long time. The way he is traveling to the different countriels and showing key reciepes is just wonderful. Next to the Indian Show and the Far Eastern Odysee this is the best and a great buy!!

This video is a pleasure for anyone who loves cooking and travelling. The recipes are very well-explained and anyone can have a try in the kitchen!

Not NTSC , as I thought it would be on Amazon .ca !! Was a gift for a relative in Canada.