Join Defne for a hands-on Portuguese cooking class (or demo if you prefer) in Lisbon, where you'll create three traditional dishes from scratch. Over 1.5 hours, you'll learn to prepare an appetizer, main dish, and dessert. Sip on wine as you watch Defne work her magic, or roll up your sleeves and dive in to help her bring each dish to life. As you cook, Defne will share stories behind the recipes, how they’re prepared in other cultures, and plenty of helpful tips and tricks. Wrap up your Lisbon cooking experience with a coffee and a taste of Ginjinha, Lisbon’s beloved cherry liqueur.
Step into Defne’s beautiful apartment for a Portuguese culinary adventure that brings Portugal's rich history to life. Inspired by her research on Portuguese gastronomy, Defne celebrates the diverse influences that shaped Portuguese cuisine—infusing flavors, recipes, and ingredients from across the globe.
Your experience with Defne features classic Portuguese dishes, each steeped in history, from the Mediterranean and beyond. You’ll enjoy a fresh, seasonal meal at her beautifully set dining table or, if the weather allows, outdoors in the garden. Savor dishes like tremoços (pickled beans), salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad), caldeirada de peixe (fish stew), and arroz doce (rice pudding). Paired with two glasses of Portuguese wine, each course offers a taste of Portugal's culinary heritage.
Please note that Defne’s menu is seasonal and may vary based on local produce availability. If you have any dietary preferences, kindly let her know in advance.
Defne can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, on request. Please inform her in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, while booking your Lisbon cooking class online.
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.
Tremoços (pickled beans) and olivesVinho verde (Portuguese wine)Arroz de doce (rice pudding)Caldeirada de peixe (fish stew)Salada de grão-de-bico (chickpea salad)Defne is a globe wanderer and a true nomad; her travels have taught her the profound value of connection, community, and empathy. Originally from Istanbul, she holds a deep passion for exploring and discovering links between cultures, foods, people, places, and tastes. Join her mission to break down cultural barriers, one delicious bite at a time! As your culinary guide, Defne will lead you on an exploration of how Portuguese cuisine connects diverse cultures and traditions. You’ll uncover not only the timeless flavors of Portugal but also the rich stories and cultural connections behind each dish.
"We spent a delightful dinner meal in Defne’s garden. Food was delicious! Defne is very friendly and knowledgeable. We shared family meal experiences."
"Defne was a wonderful host. Very knowledgeable about the food and background of the
food prepared. After she taught us how to cook the meal, we had a fabulous dinner and
conversation in her garden. Plenty to eat and easy new recipes to try when we return home"
"What an amazing evening, Defne was a terrific hostess. This is a casual informal cooking class in a cozy kitchen.
The recipes she shared are simple, delicious, and things that we can make when we get back home
Best of all it was a beautiful night and we could sit outside in her garden, enjoying a relaxed dinner with plenty of wine great conversation and amazing food"
"Delicious experience in Lisbon! This was a wonderful way to begin my adventures in Lisbon. Defne is a fantastic host and a great cook. She walked me through two recipes and then we shared a delicious meal in the garden. Defne has a wealth of local and culinary knowledge to share which made this experience really special."
