Cultural Experiences

Traditional Cooking Classes Around the World

Published

August 27, 2024

I love food, but dining out wasn’t giving me the cultural insights I craved. That’s when I discovered traditional cooking classes, which let me connect with local customs and flavors on a deeper level.

This article shares my favorite cooking classes from around the world, from mastering Greek dinners in Athens to perfecting French pastries in Paris. I’ll take you on a culinary journey that will make your taste buds dance with joy – and leave you hungry for more.

Key Takeaways

Traditional cooking classes teach you local customs and flavors in a hands-on way.
Classes cost between $51 and $159 per person, depending on the location and what you learn.
You can find classes in cities around the world, including Athens, Lisbon, Paris, Sofia, and Vienna.
Classes teach you how to make local dishes like Aegean Salad, pastel de nata, French pastries, Shopska Salata, and schnitzel.
Taking a cooking class is a fun way to learn new skills, meet new people, and take home new recipes.

Traditional Greek Dinner in Athens, Greece

Rooftop kitchen in Athens with traditional Greek dishes and Acropolis view.

Learn to make a traditional Greek dinner in Athens, Greece. This four-hour cooking class takes place on the rooftop of The Artist Hotel near Monastiraki Square. Eleven participants, including the instructor, will learn to make Aegean Salad, tzatziki, spanakopita, moussaka, and galatopita.

The class costs $83 per person via Airbnb. Book early, as classes fill up quickly. Contact the host for availability. This is a hands-on cooking class where you will learn new culinary techniques and enjoy the local cuisine.

Baking Pastel de Nata in Lisbon, Portugal

In Lisbon, Portugal, you can learn to bake delicious pastel de nata. A two-hour class teaches you how to make this famous egg custard tart. The class happens twice daily, Monday through Saturday.

You will also learn where to find the right equipment to make pastel de nata at home.

The class costs $51 per person and is available through Airbnb. Cooking Lisbon offers this Pastel de Nata Experience class. Fábrica da Nata has a fun atmosphere where you can watch pastry-making in action.

French Pastries in Paris, France

Paris is famous for its delicious pastries. People visit Paris to taste the yummy croissants and macarons. I took a class to learn French baking techniques in 2021. We made strawberry pies and learned vegan pastry techniques.

The class costs $51 per person via Airbnb.

You can take a cooking class in Paris for $159 per adult. The classes teach you how to make French pastries like a pro. You learn from local chefs who share their secrets. They teach you how to make perfect croissants and delicate macarons.

Authentic Bulgarian Cuisine in Sofia, Bulgaria

I took a cooking class in Sofia, Bulgaria. Yana was our instructor. She taught us about Bulgarian food. We made Shopska Salata and Tarator. These are popular Bulgarian dishes. We also made Kebapche and Meshana Skara.

These are Bulgarian meat dishes.

We learned about Bulgarian wine too. Bulgaria has made wine since 4,000 BC. That’s a long time! We drank some wine with our meal. It was very good. My friend and I paid $68 each for the class.

It was worth it. We learned a lot about Bulgarian food and wine.

Cooking Schnitzel and Strudel in Vienna, Austria

Lena is a cooking instructor in Vienna, Austria. She teaches a class on making schnitzel and strudel. This class is special because it’s hands-on. You get to make the food yourself.

The class is held at Andante at Hetzgasse 39, Vienna 1030, Austria.

Lena’s class is popular. It has 141 reviews. Most people loved the class – 137 gave it excellent ratings. You can book this class on Airbnb for $105 per person. It’s a fun way to learn Austrian cooking.

Lena is a great teacher.

Exploring Additional Cooking Experiences

Watch pasta making in Tuscany, Italy. Learn the art of French pastry in Paris. Discover spices and herbs in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Cooking classes teach you more than just recipes. They teach culture too.

More cooking classes are popping up worldwide. Try making pad thai with a professional chef. Learn about curry paste and turkish cuisine. Some classes even take you to markets. See how fresh ingredients are chosen.

And then cook them up in the kitchen. Each class is a fun experience. Meet new people, learn new skills, and take home new recipes.

Benefits of Taking Traditional Cooking Classes

Kids gain from cooking classes too. Cooking has a good impact on children’s eating habits. Research shows it improves their willingness to try new foods. Cooking classes also help kids eat more fruits and veggies.

Cooking classes can help people learn new skills. It can boost their confidence in cooking. People who take cooking classes also eat healthier. Cooking classes can be fun. People get to meet others who like cooking too.

How to Book a Cooking Class

Booking a cooking class is easy. You can do it online or by phone. Go to the cooking school’s website. Click on “Book a Class” and choose the class you want. Fill out the registration form and pay the fee.

You can also call the school and talk to a staff member.

Some cooking schools offer packages and discounts. Check the website for these deals. You can also ask about them when you call the school. Some schools may offer a free market tour or a cookbook with your class.

Conclusion

Taking traditional cooking classes around the world is a great way to learn about new cultures. You get to eat and make local food. It’s also a fun way to meet new people.

You can find cooking classes in many cities. They teach you how to make traditional dishes. You can learn about new ingredients and cooking techniques.

These classes are a great way to experience the local culture. They are also a lot of fun. You get to eat the food you make, and take some home.

Try a cooking class on your next trip. You will learn a lot and have fun.

References

In this article: