Paris: French Cooking Class & Lunch in Chef’s Home

Summary

Cook classic French dishes in a Paris home with a local chef

You’ll step inside a real Parisian apartment, tie on an apron with a small group, and learn to cook classic French dishes from scratch under a local chef’s gentle guidance. Taste your own creations over lunch at the chef’s table, swap stories with fellow travelers, and take home recipes (plus probably a few olive oil stains). It’s warm, hands-on — you might even surprise yourself.

What’s the experience like?

We rang the bell and waited on a quiet Paris street — I remember my hands were cold, maybe nerves or just the morning air. Our chef, Camille, opened the door with this easy smile and led us into her apartment. It smelled like coffee and something green, maybe fresh herbs? There were seven of us, all a bit shy at first. Camille handed out aprons and started chatting about what we’d cook: Mediterranean zucchini to start, marinated chicken for the main, and those little chocolate lava cakes that always seem impossible in restaurants. She made it sound simple, which was sort of comforting.

I picked up a zucchini and realized I had no idea how French people cut theirs — thinner than I’m used to. Camille showed me (twice), laughing when my slices got chunkier toward the end. Someone asked about her favorite markets in Paris; she told us about one near Bastille where she gets cheese “so smelly it scares tourists.” We didn’t do the market option this time (next time for sure), but she talked us through every ingredient like it had its own story. The kitchen windows let in that gray Paris light — not gloomy, just soft — and you could hear someone playing piano in another apartment down the hall.

The best part was sitting together at her little dining table after cooking, all of us passing plates and trying our best not to drop sauce everywhere. The marinated chicken was tender but honestly? The real highlight was that molten chocolate cake — I still think about how it melted on my tongue while we all joked about our “French” knife skills. Camille gave us printed recipes (mine has olive oil stains now) and hugged each of us goodbye like we’d known her longer than three hours. Walking back out onto the street felt strange — like we’d stepped out of someone else’s life for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — French cooking class and lunch

• Meet local French chef
• Learn to cook starter
• Prepare main dish
• Make dessert
• Enjoy three-course meal

Top questions

Where does the Paris cooking class take place?

The class is held in the private apartment of a local chef within Paris city limits.

How many people are in each cooking class?

The small group size is limited to 8 participants maximum.

Is lunch included in the cooking class?

Yes, after preparing your three-course meal you’ll enjoy lunch together with your group.

Can I visit a local market as part of this experience?

If you select the Market Option during booking, you’ll tour an open-air market to pick fresh ingredients before cooking.

Are dietary requirements or allergies accommodated?

Please advise any specific dietary needs or allergies when booking; they’ll try their best to accommodate but will inform you if not possible.

What dishes will we cook during the class?

The menu usually includes Mediterranean zucchini starter, marinated chicken main dish, and mini chocolate lava cake for dessert.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transport options are available close to the chef’s apartment location.

What’s included

Your day includes all ingredients for your meal, use of aprons and utensils during your lesson in a Parisian home kitchen, printed recipes to take away, plus either lunch or dinner depending on your booking. If you choose the market option you’ll also join your chef at a local open-air market before heading back to cook together.