MasterChef Travel announces new tour to San Sebastian accompanied by Ash Mair, MasterChef: The Professionals winner 2011. Run in association with San Sebastian Food, this bespoke culinary adventure, A Basque Gathering, is priced from £1,995 per person and includes two cookery classes with Ash as well as dinner at a 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, a tour of the food markets and a pintxos tasting tour with Ash.

San Sebastian has the highest concentration of Michelin stars per capita of any city in the world. However, there are many other dining options to choose from and pintxos (Basque tapas) are an ideal introduction to Basque cuisine.

Ash, who is passionate about Basque cuisine and the author of 'My Basque Cuisine', says, “I love visiting San Sebastian. It's become a second home for me. Basque cuisine is more than just food: it's the culture and lifestyle that surrounds it also. Full of tradition, along with a pantry of the some of the most amazing produce I've found in Europe, my love for the Basque region is something I'm keen to share.”

A Basque Gathering with Ash Mair – 4 nights from £1,995 per person

Departing 21 October, 4 & 25 November 2015 and 10 February 2016

Staying at the Hotel Maria Cristina, conveniently located for the city's markets and historic Parte Vieja, this tour enables guests to experience the gastronomic traditions of San Sebastian in the company of true experts. Limited to just 12 people per departure and joined by Ash throughout, he will pass on his knowledge and cookery tips during two interactive classes at the new San Sebastian Food school, as well as taking each group to his favourite bars in the Parte Vieja to experience the unique culinary tradition of pintxos There are also visits to local artisan food and wine producers in the surrounding countryside and wine tastings.

The price includes flights to Bilbao, transfers and accommodation at the 5-star Hotel Maria Cristina with breakfast daily and most other meals.

For images and more information please email katie.cosstick@mastercheftravel.co.uk

Please visit coxandkings.co.uk/masterchef-travel for more details on the range of tours offered by MasterChef Travel.

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NOTE TO EDITORS

MasterChef Travel is a range of worldwide culinary holidays, some of which feature a MasterChef contestant. All MasterChef Travel tours are operated by Cox & Kings, the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). With operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and throughout India, Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel worldwide.

Based on a format created by Franc Roddam, MasterChef sets out to find amazing amateur chefs whose talent, dedication and passion for food could change their lives forever. The format has enjoyed unprecedented success globally, produced in over 40 countries and broadcast in over 200 territories worldwide and achieving No1 status in many. In the UK, there have been ten series of the revamped version of MasterChef, nine series of Celebrity MasterChef, six series of MasterChef: The Professionals and two series of Junior MasterChef, which have been produced by Shine TV since 2005.  Series 10, the most recent amateur series on BBC One, peaked at more than 6.6 million viewers for the finale in May 2014. The eleventh series has just started on BBC One.