Hafida and her family warmly welcome you into their traditional home for an unforgettable Berber culinary experience. As soon as you arrive, you'll be invited to share a friendly moment over fragrant Moroccan tea: a chance to get to know each other and discover the legendary hospitality of the Amazigh people. Hafida and her sister Kalthoum will then guide you through the preparation of a traditional tajine during this Essaouira cooking class. You'll learn to handle Moroccan spices with care, measure out the olive oil and add fresh vegetables, either picked straight from the family garden or bought that same morning at the local souk. Then take a walk in the surrounding forest to gather the kindling needed to fuel the traditional clay barbecue, an essential step for cooking an authentic tajine. Once the tajine has simmered to perfection, you'll gather around the table for a tasting that will awaken your taste buds. Served with freshly baked bread, the tajine reveals its flavors, and Moroccan cuisine its secrets!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Experience available in French and English.
- Approximately 4 hours, excluding transportation (20 minutes each way).
- Open to all.
- Accessible to people with reduced mobility (except the forest wood collection).
- Included: Mint tea welcome, meal preparation, meal, mineral water.
- Not included: Transportation and tips.
- This workshop can be combined with our argan oil workshop, for a full day.
PRICES FOR THE ESSAOUIRA COOKING CLASS
Price for the small-group experience (up to 10 people):
€49 per person.
Children under 4: free.
Price for a private (exclusive) experience (you won’t be mixed with other guests):
1 person: €160.
2 people: €95 per person.
3 people: €66 per person.
4 people or more: €55 per person.
Children under 4: free.
Private round-trip transfer from the medina (mandatory):
€50 (from 1 to 4 people) or €60 (from 5 to 7 people) and €70 (from 8 to 14 people) to be paid only once, whatever the number of experiences booked with Hafida and her family. Extra charge for outlying hotels.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR BERBER COOKING WORKSHOP
When booking, please specify if you have a particular tajine recipe in mind, the date and time of your choice, your hotel’s name and address, and any allergies or dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten or lactose intolerance…).
You can combine this workshop with our argan oil workshop for a full day of immersion in Amazigh culture. Just let us know when you book!
A few tips to avoid cultural misunderstandings: In Morocco, men and women shake hands but don’t kiss on the cheek. We eat with the right hand (except when using a fork). Shoes should be removed before stepping on a carpet. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, and women should avoid low necklines.
If you would like to bring your hosts a small gift rather than leaving a tip, a little culinary or artisanal speciality from your region is always a lovely idea.
Hafida and her family sell their own argan oil (for cooking and cosmetic use), amlou (a spread made from almonds, honey and argan oil) and honey. Take the opportunity to buy local and bring quality products home!
And above all, don’t eat too much before the experience!