Moroccan Cooking Class with Local Family in Fes Medina

Summary

Hands-On Moroccan Food Experience in a Traditional Fassi Home

You’ll shop lively souks with a local guide, cook classic Moroccan dishes in a real Fassi home, and share stories over lunch and mint tea with your hosts. It’s not just about food—it’s about living a slice of daily life in Fes.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Fes carries a mix of spices and fresh bread—it's impossible not to notice as we step out from our riad. Our local guide, Youssef, greets us with a quick smile and leads us straight into the maze of the medina. The souk is already buzzing: women haggling over tomatoes, the scent of coriander everywhere, and a vendor calling out about his olives. Youssef knows everyone; he chats with the butcher, picks out just-ripe eggplants, and lets us taste a sliver of preserved lemon before we buy it for our tagine.

Inside our host family's house, shoes come off at the door. The kitchen is bright but cozy—there's a radio playing softly, and Fatima, our chef for the day, hands us aprons. We knead dough for khobz (Moroccan bread), fingers sticky with flour, while Fatima shows us how to shape it just right. Chopping herbs for zaalouk salad, I catch the scent of cumin on my hands. The tagine bubbles away on the stove; every so often, Fatima lifts the lid to let us peek at the simmering mix of lamb and apricots. Lunch is unrushed—everyone gathers around a low table to tear bread and scoop up bites together. There's laughter, stories about Fes, and finally, sweet mint tea poured high into little glasses. The whole thing feels like being part of the family for a day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking Class in Moroccan House

• Pick up at riad
• Shopping tour at Moroccan Souk
• Prepare homemade bread and salads
• Cook seasonal tagine or couscous
• Taste meal with family
• Share traditional mint tea

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! The host family guides you step by step—even if you’ve never cooked Moroccan food before.

Are dietary restrictions or vegetarian options available?

Yes, just let us know your needs when booking so we can adjust the menu accordingly.

How long does the whole experience last?

The full activity takes about five hours from pick-up to drop-off at your riad.

Is transportation included?

Yes, pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation in Fes are included.

What’s included

Your day includes pick-up and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fes, all ingredients from the market, hands-on cooking with a local family chef, lunch or dinner (with salads, tagine or couscous), plus traditional mint tea to finish. A friendly local guide will be with you throughout—from shopping in the souk to sharing stories at the table.