Meet Manuela at the riad and then walk together to the Mellah market, which is a beautiful old market in a Jewish area of Marrakech. This market is bustling with activity and is a major source of spices, food, meat, flowers and other household goods. Manuela will talk about Morocco’s rich history while you walk through the market to buy a few ingredients for your cooking class.
Please note that markets are usually closed on Friday afternoons.
Learn to cook 2-3 dishes in a hands-on cooking class in Marrakech with Aicha (Manuela will be present to help translate). The cooking portion of the experience will last for 1-2 hours and you will learn to make a traditional Moroccan appetizer, main dish and dessert.
Manuela's riad is traditionally decorated with Moroccan arts and crafts and has a beautiful garden area and terrace. Your meal will be served in the dining area, an open space in the middle of the riad or on the terrace on hot days. For the meal, you can expect to be served a soup, either harira or bissara, a starter of briouatte (a sweet or savory puff pastry) or zaalouk (salad of cooked aubergine and tomatoes), and a main dish, a traditional tajine (which can be vegetarian or meat or fish-based) or pastilla (Moroccan meat pie) or tanjia (typical dish of Marrakech) or cous cous. End your meal with a dessert, either traditional Moroccan dessert cigars with cinnamon and apples or briouatte chocolate.
Manuela can offer vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and halal meals on request. The riad is also used as a guest house, so you might see other guests during your experience. Your Traveling Spoon experience will be private.
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
Mahalabyyia (milk cream with dry fruits)Cous Cous (with vegetable, meat and tfeia)Tajine (chicken or minced meat or vegetables or fish)Bissara (fava beans soup)Moroccan saladManuela is originally Italian and has been part of the travel industry for many years. She moved to Morocco with her family and bought a beautiful riad (a traditional Moroccan-style home built around an open courtyard) in an old Jewish neighborhood. Aicha is the chef at the riad and hosts together with Manuela. Aicha comes from a traditional Moroccan family and learned to cook from her mother and grandmother from scratch using only fresh and local ingredients. Aicha only speaks Arabic and Manuela will help translate.
"Manuela has been in the tourism industry for a while and now owns her own Riad. You will fly with her in the bustling streets of the Mellah and hit the market with local people. You will meet authentic vendors that are really welcoming. The Riad is simply amazing with an interior garden and dining area. All decorated with Moroccan arts and crafts. You can also enjoy the terrace while the food is cooking. The food was so fresh and delicious. Aicha, the chef, will explain to you the regional cuisine and different spices and how to use them. If you want to enjoy 'la dolce vita' type of experience, in a Moroccan way, this is for you!"
"Travelling Spoon has helped my stay connected with my daughter in another city during the pandemic. Our most recent experience was the Moroccan cooking class with Manuela, where we cooked a delicious tagine and rosewater pudding. It was relatively easy to prepare, and everyone who shared the tagine commented on how delicious it was!"
"Travelling Spoon has helped my stay connected with my daughter in another city during the pandemic. Our most recent experience was the Moroccan cooking class with Manuela, where we cooked a delicious tagine and rosewater pudding. It was relatively easy to prepare, and everyone who shared the tagine commented on how delicious it was!"
"Delightful cooking experience. Took us to her rooftop to view the city and taught us to preserve lemons, make mint tea and delicious tagine chicken. We enjoyed chatting about Morocco in French and English. Reminded us of our trip to her wonderful country. Shared our dinner with friends and they loved the food!!"
