Host offerings
Manuela 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.
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 - 20 guests) 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.
Cooking experience (1 - 20 guests) 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.
Market visit (1 - 20 guests) 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.
Notes: 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.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007f277471e6a0>
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.
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
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!
Chamsi, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | Not offered | $40 | $40 |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | Not offered | $55 | $50 |
| Transportation | Not offered | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 11:00am - 02:00pm | 7:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 10:30am - 02:30pm | 5:00pm - 09:00pm |
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.
