Step into the welcoming home of Cindee and Michael, a modern Alaska Native family in Juneau, for an intimate and personal culinary experience you won’t find anywhere else. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel like part of the family, greeted with a locally crafted canned cocktail or a cold beer from one of Juneau’s beloved breweries as you chat about the evening ahead. Together, you’ll prepare a delicious seasonal meal using ingredients that are grown, caught, or foraged right here in Southeast Alaska. Watch as Michael skillfully fillets fresh-caught fish, then join in to season and cook it, either on the grill or in the oven, depending on the weather. Please note, this is not a formal cooking class, but rather a shared, home-cooked meal prepared with care, conversation, and connection. The experience blends hands-on participation with guided demonstration. You may also be joined by Cindee and Michael’s family, adding to the warm, communal atmosphere.
As you cook, Cindee and Michael will share stories about their culture, their life in Alaska, and the deep traditions woven into the food. You’ll learn about unique local ingredients and flavors rarely found in restaurants, and leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to live, and eat, rooted in place. When the meal is ready, you’ll gather around the table to enjoy the feast you helped create, along with more drinks, good conversation, and the kind of genuine connection that turns strangers into friends.
This experience is perfect for travelers who crave more than just a meal. It’s for those who want to slow down, savor something meaningful, and connect with an Alaskan family in a truly authentic way.
1. Alcohol is included in the cost of your experience.
2. Your host can accommodate dietary restrictions so let her know your dietary requests, if any, when making your booking.
3. Your host has two lovely dogs but they will be placed in another room during your experience.
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.
Grilled wild salmon or halibut served with riceSteamed seasonal vegetables or sauteed wild mushroomsSeasonal Indigenous food tastings such as beach asparagus, spruce tip jelly or salmon roeFry bread drizzled with honeyCanned cocktail or local craft beerCindee and Michael are passionate about sharing the rich traditions of Alaskan food and culture with their guests. Mike is a proud member of the Tlingit tribe, the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, while Cindee was warmly adopted into the tribe. Together, they honor Tlingit culinary traditions, which are deeply rooted in nature. Michael continues the age-old practices of hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants, while Cindee forages seasonal ingredients from Alaska’s pristine forests. From spruce tips and chanterelle mushrooms to wild summer berries, her cooking reflects the bounty of the land.
Cindee is also an entrepreneur, running a successful mindfulness practice, and she serves as an executive at a local food tour company. Her knowledge of the area goes beyond the kitchen - don’t hesitate to ask her for insider tips on the best local spots to eat and explore.
"Delighted experience with two home cooks in their Mendenhall Valley home Excellent ingredients from the Juneau area were used for each course. In addition to the food, the table discussion was a treasure with information on the Alaskan native culture and traditions."
"Meet the locals and enjoy a great conversation, yes you get great food too :)
It was a first for all of us. A little nervous and a lot if excitement to meet locals. Cindee and Michael were a joy to be with. We learned a lot about the area and Alaskan traditions.
The fresh caught fish by Michael was fantastic. My favorite was the fried bread with a local berry jelly.
I would highly recommend immersing here :)"
