Bengali Cooking Class in Kolkata: Learn in a Local Home

Cook Bengali dishes the way Debjani's grandmother taught her

A private cooking class in a local's home in Kolkata where you prepare three authentic Bengali dishes (masoor dal, begun bhaja and shorshe bhapa chingri or maach), then eat what you've made with your host and her family. The class runs about three hours and includes the full meal, drinks, and recipes rooted in generations of home cooking. Vegetarian and lactose-free options are available if you request them at booking.

The experience

What separates this from a restaurant demo or a hotel kitchen class is that you're cooking in Debjani's own apartment, using the same methods and ingredients she learned from her mother and grandmother. She spent over thirty years in hospitality at places like Taj and Oberoi, but what she wants to share is the food she actually grew up eating, not a simplified version built for tourists. You'll work alongside her in her kitchen, hands-on, learning how she makes each dish and why the steps matter.

The three dishes you'll cook are masoor dal (lentils), begun bhaja (eggplant fritters), and shorshe bhapa chingri or maach (steamed prawns or fish in a mustard sauce). You'll also prepare shukto, a traditional mixed vegetable dish, and finish with rosogulla or rosogolla payesh for dessert. The cooking itself takes about an hour and a half, after which you sit down to eat the meal you've just made. When Debjani's family is home, you'll share the table with them. The meal is not a performance piece served to you, but an actual family meal you've helped prepare.

You can choose between a lunch or dinner session, both including wine or beer. If you're vegetarian or lactose-free, let Debjani know when you book and she'll adjust the menu. The apartment itself sits in Kolkata proper, accessible by public transport, and blends old and new in the way the city does: a real home, not a cooking studio.

What’s included

• Private cooking instruction with Debjani in her home kitchen.
• all ingredients and equipment.
• the three-dish meal you prepare plus dessert.
• wine or beer.
• gratuities and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Cooking, dinner + alcoholGuide in English, Hindi or Bangla · 17:00

Cooking, lunch + alcoholGuide in English, Hindi or Bangla · 11:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 17:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Bangla and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Stroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Traveling Spoon

Is this one for you?Pick the lunch session to cook and eat the same day, or dinner if you prefer an evening in the kitchen: the menu changes based on what's in season and Debjani's daily choices.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Hindi and Bangla.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What Bengali dishes will I actually cook during the class?

You'll prepare masoor dal, begun bhaja, shorshe bhapa chingri or maach, and shukto. Debjani also makes rosogulla or rosogolla payesh for dessert. The exact fish or prawn option depends on what's fresh that day, and the menu can shift with the season.

Is this a private class or will I be cooking with other people?

It's a private class in Debjani's home kitchen, just you and your host. If her family is home when you finish cooking, you'll eat together, but the instruction and prep work are yours alone.

How long does the cooking class actually take?

The cooking runs about an hour and a half, then you sit down to eat the meal you've prepared. Plan for roughly three hours total from start to finish.

Can I do this if I'm vegetarian or have a lactose allergy?

Yes. Debjani offers vegetarian and lactose-free versions of the menu. Tell her your dietary needs when you book and she'll adjust the dishes you'll cook and eat.

What's included in the price, and do I need to arrange my own way to Debjani's home?

The class, all ingredients, the meal you cook, and wine or beer are included. You'll need to arrange your own transport to her apartment. Public transit is available nearby and she can give you the address once you book.