Hafida and her family warmly welcome you to their traditional home for an unforgettable Berber culinary experience. Upon arrival, you’ll be invited to share a convivial moment over a fragrant Moroccan tea, a perfect opportunity to get to know each other and experience the legendary hospitality of the Amazigh people.
Hafida and her sister Kalthoum will then guide you in the preparation of a traditional tajine. You will learn to handle the Moroccan spices with care, to dose olive oil and to incorporate fresh vegetables, either harvested directly from the family garden or bought in the morning at the local souk.
Then, go for a walk in the surrounding forest where you will collect the small wood necessary to feed the traditional clay oven, a crucial step in authentic tajine cooking. Once the tajine is cooked to perfection, you will gather around the table for a tasting that will awaken your taste buds. Accompanied by fresh bread, 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, tips.
- Option to combine with other experiences at Hafida’s home (Berber bread-making and argan oil production).
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: €140.
2 people: €80 per person
3 people: €58 per person
4 people or more: €52 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 other experiences at Hafida’s home: Berber bread-making and/or argan oil production. Let us know at the time of booking !
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'd prefer to bring your hosts a small gift instead of leaving a tip, culinary or artisanal specialties from your region are always a good choice.
Hafida and her family sell their own production of Argan oil (for culinary 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 back home !
And above all, don’t eat too much before the experience!
THEY TRIED THE ESSAOUIRA COOKING CLASS
AND THEY SAY IT BETTER THAN WE DO!