Traditional Bengali food and cooking with a passionate local

Host offerings

House
Professional cook
Pets
Vegetarian
Alcohol
Transportation
Cooking class
Market visit
Food tour

Meet Bibi

Bibi lives in a traditional Calcutta home with her teenage daughter, Joyee, and husband. Bibi, a restaurateur, started her career selling momos (steamed pork dumplings from Darjeeling) at the Nari Seva fair. She is a fun and friendly host passionate about sharing Bengali food and culture.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal (1 - 8 guests) After your welcome drink of ampura sherbet (a refreshing raw mango drink) or, in the winter, apple juice with a hint of ginger, you will share a traditional Bengali meal eaten in courses with Bibi and her family. Dishes may include rice with a shaag bhaja (fried greens) or shukto (mixed bitter vegetables), dal, and vegetable bhaja (fried eggplant, crisp fried potato sticks), khao suey (Indian style Burmese chicken curry and noodle) and papad and chutney. To finish, a dessert of mishti doi (sweetened yoghurt) or payesh (rice pudding with jaggery made from nectar from the date palm tree).

Cooking experience (1 - 8 guests) Join Bibi in her small kitchen watch her demonstrate how to cook authentic Bengali food that centers around a variety of vegetables and the flavors of mustard and panch poran (Bengali five-spice). The cooking demonstration will last about 1-2 hours.

Market visit (1 - 8 guests) Discover local produce at one of Calcutta's old-world markets before returning home to learn to cook a traditional Bengali meal.

Notes: The road leading to Bibi's house is rough and the entrance will appear run down but once you enter her home and meet Bibi, you feel comfortable and at home.

Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffaeb8b0518>


GOOD REVIEWS
{ "survey_monkey" : [{"author_name" : "GORDON WATTS", "rating" : 5, "body" : "Bibi was a great host and knowledgeable about many matters. She was easy to speak with and interested in many aspects of our conversation. The food taste and texture was very pleasing. We would visit again if back in Kolkata"}], "trip_advisor" : [{"author_name" : "Boris S", "rating" : 5, "body" : "We (three adults and 3 years old kid) had amazing half day experience with Bibi and her husband, that included guided tour in food and fish market, detailed meal preparation with explanation and storytelling, and eventually eating the meal!Everything was more than perfect, we learned a lot and had overall local expect that could never be achieved without local experts like Bibi and her family.Thanks for everything!Highly recommended!"}, {"author_name" : "neratha", "rating" : 5, "body" : "Had a last minute dinner arrangement at Bibi’s house. Was rather difficult for me to find her home but Bibi and her husband really tried to help me and navigate through the city, they were extremely supportive.We pre- agreed in the main courses with Bibi prior the event. I was nicely welcomed in their home- felt like visiting a friend of mine. Besides the great dinner - I believe there were 8 or 9 courses- we chatted nicely through the evening as well. Enjoyed the food and hospitality big time,and I got exactly what I have expected . If you are interested how locals live, the wonderful Bengali food, I highly recommend traveling spoon and Bibi as a host to you. "}] }

Traveler reviews

5.0 (7)
$1250.0 - $5500.0
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Pricing (per person)*

1 person 4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal $1,500 $1,250 $1,250
Cooking Experience + Meal $3,500 $3,000 $2,500
Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal $5,500 $5,000 $4,500
Alcohol $350 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.

Experience Timings

Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal 1:30pm - 04:30pm 8:30pm - 11:30pm
Cooking Experience + Meal 11:00am - 02:00pm 5:30pm - 08:30pm
Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal 11:00am - 04:00pm 5:00pm - 10:00pm

ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

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