Seasonal Azorean food in a farmhouse outside Ponta Delgada

Meet Maria

Maria grew up in the Azores in a small village of 10,000 people. Her parents were farmers, as were her grandparents who had a large farm that exported produce from garlic to oranges to watermelon to Portugal. After studying social work and practicing family therapy for years in Portugal, Maria moved back to the Azores to find a more peaceful life that connected her with her lifelong passion of food. She bought house on a small plot of land with an orchard where she grows figs, apples, pears, almonds, oranges and more. Living in the subtropical climate of the Azores, Maria also is able to grow a variety of tropical fruits including papaya, guava and lychee. Maria is passionate about meeting and learning from new people and is excited to invite people from around the world into her home to enjoy fresh, seasonal Azorean cooking.

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 - 25 guests) Join Maria in her farm house in a small village surrounded by her wild orchard. Start your experience with a welcome drink of local white wine or red wine from neighbors or local juice, while you snack on appetizers that might include a selection of local cheeses and pork pate. Maria loves using local ingredients and featuring the products made by her neighbors on the island. After your welcome snack, enjoy a tour of Maria’s home and garden, before your sit down at the dining table to enjoy your traditional Azorean meal, served family style. In summer months, weather depending, you might eat outside on the terrace surrounded by grape vines, and in winter months you will enjoy your meal inside in Maria’s open dining area. End your experience with a selection of coffee or tea, as well as a presentation of Maria’s homemade liqueur and moonshine.

Cooking experience (1 - 25 guests) After a welcome drink and snack and tour of Maria’s garden and home, start your cooking class. Your experience can either be hands on or a demonstration, so please note which you would prefer when making your booking. During your cooking class learn how to make a traditional Azorean meal featuring seasonal ingredients. You will learn how to make a soup such as a traditional fish soup, followed by two main dishes of a fish and meat dish. Then end your experience learning to make a dessert like rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (featuring passion fruit from Maria’s garden when in season!). Maria’s recipes have been passed down through her mom and grandmother and Maria is passionate about showcasing her family and island’s culinary history with guests. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your traditional Azorean family-style meal, which will be served either at the grape-vine covered terrace, in summer months, or at Maria’s dining table in colder months. End your meal with a selection of coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs. If there is a specific dish you want to learn to make, like octopus, please note this during your booking. Maria will be happy to accommodate your requests!

Market visit (1 - 25 guests) Meet Maria at the main village market in Ponta Delgade, which runs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Maria will provide a private market tour of this traditional town open-air market. Start with a tour of the vegetable and fish stalls, and then move on to the spice stalls and honey seller where you can sample local honey. You will pick up fresh meat and fish for your cooking lesson, and also stop at the cheese store where you will select a few favorites to enjoy later. After your market tour, which will last about 60-90 minutes, return by car to Maria’s home, located a short 10-minute drive away, to enjoy your cooking lesson and meal.

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