Host offerings
Visit Filipa for a taste of the Alentejo region at her family’s country home in the village of Évoramonte, 30 minutes outside of the town of Evora. Filipa’s food highlights seasonal ingredients and local produce. Historically, Alentejo was a poor region of the country and people ate what they grew. This resulted a regional cuisine with humble roots but a strong diversity of flavors due to the heavy use of herbs. Filipa's goal is to teach travelers the rustic country fare typical of the region, including the many herbs used in its dishes that she grows in her own garden. Filipa comes from a family with a strong cooking tradition and learned how to prepare Portuguese family recipes from both of her grandmothers and aunts. When she is not cooking, Filipa is a former English teacher who loves to travel. Her passion and excitement for cooking and the culinary world are infectious and you are sure to leave her home with a new appreciation and understanding of Portuguese culture and cuisine. Please note that this experience changes with the times of year. The best months for the garden are May and June. In July and August it can get very dry and hot, and some of the crops may be pruned down. In the winter months it can get quite cold and the experience will be held inside; Filipa has a wood fire that she can use for heat but it is an old home and we advise wearing layers in the winter months. We recommend this experience most in the warm summer months when you can truly enjoy the gardens and outdoor country life.
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 - 5 guests) Meet your host Filipa in the town of Évoramonte, where she has a country house. Évoramonte is a picturesque walled village of 500 people and offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Portuguese country life. Filipa has an old country house with an outdoor area that includes a vegetable and herb garden and olive and orange trees. She'll show you her garden and show you around this charming village. Enjoy a drink in her garden, weather permitting, before beginning your meal. Filipa will prepare traditional simple country-style Portuguese dishes that highlight the region's culinary history. Depending on the season, she might serve dishes like rose-infused sheep’s milk cheese, açorda alentejana (a simple soup typical of the Aliejtej region of bread mixed with coriander and water), black and white pork, and seasonal vegetable dishes. Your meal will end with a dessert such as queijada, which she buys from a local shop that has been making the traditional sweet cheese pastry for generations. Dessert will be served with tea or coffee.
Notes: If you will not have a car, Filipa can arrange transportation from Évora to Évoramonte. You will meet in Évora and then drive 30 minutes together to her country home. If you would like to book this service, please add transportation to your reservation and Filipa will help coordinate your pick-up in Évora.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007f5939077da0>
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.
When you arrive at Filipa's home you are greeted by a beautiful view of the surrounding area and treated to a traditional Portuguese home with small doorways and few windows which allow the insides to remain cool. If you are seated outside you will be sitting in the shade of a beautiful old olive tree. Filipa is a beautiful person inside and out with a serious passion for food. She ensures all of her dishes are traditional Portuguese-Alentejo cuisine and you treated to a series of appetizing smalls dishes introduced by a lovely Portuguese cordial drink. My favorite starter was the Baked sheep's milk cheese which has a soft yet flavorful taste. Filipa continued to entertain us with interesting tales of how the recipes came about. All the food was simple yet delicious and prepared solely by Filipa. The experience is relaxing and enjoyable, it will take about 3 hours in total but it is well worth it!
Jenna, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | $40 | $35 | $30 |
| Alcohol | $10 per person | ||
| Transportation | $15 per car | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 1:00pm - 05:00pm | 7:30pm - 11:30pm |
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.
