Overview
Discover the secrets of authentic Moroccan cuisine in our hands-on cooking class in Agadir! This immersive culinary experience takes you from the vibrant local market to the kitchen, where you'll learn to prepare traditional Moroccan dishes under the guidance of an expert local chef. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced cook, this class offers a unique opportunity to learn authentic techniques, understand Moroccan spices, and create delicious dishes you can recreate at home.
Your cooking adventure begins with a visit to a local market where you'll select fresh ingredients and learn about the spices that define Moroccan cuisine. Then, in a traditional cooking venue, you'll prepare a complete Moroccan feast including tagine, couscous, and authentic salads. The experience culminates with enjoying the meal you've prepared together, followed by receiving recipe cards to take home. This is more than just a cooking class - it's a cultural immersion that connects you with Moroccan food traditions and hospitality.
Moroccan cuisine is one of the world's most celebrated culinary traditions, known for its complex flavors, aromatic spices, and slow-cooking techniques. The cuisine reflects Morocco's rich history, with influences from Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean cultures. What makes Moroccan food special is the artful use of spices - combinations like cumin, paprika, turmeric, ginger, and saffron create layers of flavor that are both bold and balanced. The tagine, Morocco's most famous dish, is a perfect example of this - it's a slow-cooked stew that combines meat, vegetables, and spices in a unique cone-shaped pot that traps steam and creates incredibly tender, flavorful results. Our cooking class teaches you not just recipes, but the techniques and understanding needed to create authentic Moroccan flavors.
What makes our cooking class special is the authentic, hands-on approach and the expertise of our local chef. The chef is a professional with years of experience, often coming from a family with generations of culinary knowledge. They'll share family recipes, traditional techniques passed down through generations, and insights into Moroccan food culture that you won't find in cookbooks. The class is designed to be interactive - you'll be chopping, stirring, seasoning, and tasting throughout, not just watching. The small group size (maximum 8 participants) ensures personalized attention, so you can ask questions, get help with techniques, and learn at your own pace. The market visit adds an authentic dimension, teaching you how to select quality ingredients and understand the importance of freshness in Moroccan cooking.
Our cooking class is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Complete beginners will receive clear, step-by-step guidance, while experienced cooks will learn new techniques and flavor combinations. The dishes you'll prepare are authentic but achievable - you'll learn techniques you can actually use at home. The class includes everything you need - all ingredients, equipment, aprons, and even recipe cards to take home. The experience culminates with enjoying the meal you've prepared together, which is often the highlight - there's something special about eating food you've cooked yourself, especially when it's as delicious as authentic Moroccan cuisine. Many guests say this is one of their favorite experiences in Morocco, combining learning, cultural immersion, and great food in a fun, social setting.
Highlights
What makes this tour special
Itinerary
Your Moroccan cooking class experience is carefully structured to give you the most authentic and educational culinary adventure. From market visit to enjoying your finished meal, every step is designed to immerse you in Moroccan food culture.
Market Visit & Ingredient Selection
Meet your expert chef at the cooking venue (typically around 10:00 AM for morning classes or 3:00 PM for afternoon classes), then head to a vibrant local market. The market visit is an essential part of the experience - it's where Moroccan home cooks shop daily, and it's where you'll learn about the ingredients that make Moroccan cuisine special. Walk through colorful stalls filled with fresh vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, carrots), aromatic spices (cumin, paprika, saffron, turmeric, ginger), preserved lemons (a Moroccan specialty), olives, fresh herbs, and quality ingredients. Your chef explains how each ingredient is used in Moroccan cooking, what to look for when selecting produce, and the importance of freshness and quality. You'll learn about spice combinations, how to identify the best ingredients, and the role each item plays in creating authentic flavors. This authentic market experience sets the foundation for understanding Moroccan culinary culture and gives you confidence to shop for Moroccan ingredients when you return home. The market is also a feast for the senses - the colors, smells, and sounds create an authentic Moroccan atmosphere.
Hands-On Cooking - Prepare Your Moroccan Feast
Return to the cooking venue and put on your apron! The cooking space is set up for hands-on learning, with workstations for each participant and all the equipment you'll need. Your chef demonstrates each technique clearly, then you replicate it with their guidance. Learn to prepare authentic tagine - building flavor layers with onions, garlic, spices, meat, and vegetables in the iconic cone-shaped pot. You'll learn the proper order of adding ingredients, how to build flavors, and the slow-cooking technique that makes tagine so special. Master Moroccan couscous - steaming it fluffy and light using traditional methods (this is more complex than it seems, and the chef will show you the secrets). Create vibrant Moroccan salads - zaalouk (eggplant), taktouka (peppers & tomatoes), and carrot salad with cumin. Learn proper knife skills, spice combinations, and timing - all the fundamentals of Moroccan cooking. Your chef shares family secrets, traditional techniques, and tips you won't find in cookbooks. Everyone participates actively - chopping, stirring, seasoning, and tasting as you go. The kitchen fills with incredible aromas as spices toast, vegetables cook, and the tagine simmers. The atmosphere is fun, social, and educational - you'll be learning while having a great time!
Enjoy Your Meal & Receive Recipes
Sit down together at a beautiful Moroccan table setting and enjoy the incredible meal you just prepared! This is the moment you've been working toward - tasting the fruits of your labor. Share the tagine family-style from the traditional pot (the way it's meant to be eaten), serve fluffy couscous, taste all the salads, and enjoy fresh Moroccan bread. The meal is a celebration of what you've learned and created together. Sip mint tea (prepared in the traditional way) and celebrate your culinary achievement with your fellow participants. This communal dining experience is authentic Moroccan hospitality - food brings people together, and sharing a meal you've cooked together creates a special bond. Your chef joins you at the table, answering questions about Moroccan food culture, dining traditions, and offering more cooking tips. You'll learn about the proper way to eat tagine (with bread, using your hands), the significance of different dishes in Moroccan culture, and how to adapt recipes for your home kitchen. Before departing, receive printed recipe cards for all the dishes you prepared today, plus tips for sourcing ingredients at home, spice substitutions, and variations you can try. Many guests say this meal is the best they had in Morocco - and they made it themselves!
What's Included
Our Moroccan cooking class includes everything you need for a complete culinary experience. We've designed the class to be comprehensive, so you can focus on learning and having fun without worrying about additional costs or logistics.
✓ Included
✗ Not Included
Meeting Point & Pickup Details
Our cooking class takes place at a traditional cooking venue in Agadir. We offer optional hotel pickup service, or you can meet us directly at the cooking venue. The venue is easily accessible and has all the facilities needed for a comfortable cooking experience.
Meeting Location
- Cooking venue in Agadir (address provided upon booking)
- Optional hotel pickup available (contact us to arrange)
- Easy to reach by taxi from anywhere in Agadir
- Venue has parking if driving yourself
- Look for our cooking school signage
Class Times
- Morning classes: Start around 10:00 AM
- Afternoon classes: Start around 3:00 PM
- Exact time confirmed when booking
- Arrive 10 minutes early for check-in
- Total duration: 4-5 hours including market visit and meal
Important Information
What to Bring
- Clothing: Comfortable clothing suitable for cooking - you'll be standing, chopping, and moving around, so wear something comfortable. An apron is provided, but avoid loose sleeves or jewelry that could get in the way.
- Photography: Camera or phone to capture your cooking experience - the market visit, cooking process, and finished dishes all make great photos. You'll want to remember this experience!
- Note-taking: Small notebook for extra tips and notes (optional) - the chef shares lots of tips and variations that might not be on the recipe cards. Many guests find it helpful to take notes.
- Appetite: Appetite for learning and enjoying Moroccan food! Come hungry - you'll be preparing a full meal and will enjoy eating it together. The portions are generous, so you'll definitely be satisfied.
- Additional items: Cash for optional tips and any market purchases you might want to make, and an open mind ready to learn and have fun!
Health & Safety
- All cooking equipment is sanitized and food safety standards are followed
- Please inform us of any food allergies or dietary restrictions when booking
- Kitchen is fully equipped with modern safety equipment
Important Note
- No cooking experience required - perfect for beginners and experienced cooks
- Meet directly at the cooking venue (address provided upon booking)
- Vegetarian and vegan options available upon request
Frequently Asked Questions
Traveler Reviews
Sarah M.
"Absolutely amazing experience! The chef was so knowledgeable and patient. I learned so much about Moroccan cooking techniques. The market visit was fascinating, and eating the meal we prepared together was the highlight of our trip to Agadir. Highly recommend!"
James D.
"Best cooking class I've ever taken! The tagine we made was incredible - I can't wait to try the recipe at home. The chef shared family secrets and made the whole experience fun and educational. The small group size meant we all got individual attention."
Emma L.
"Perfect for food lovers! The market visit was eye-opening, and learning to make authentic couscous was a dream come true. The chef was wonderful, and the recipes we received are detailed and easy to follow. This was the highlight of our Moroccan vacation!"
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Key Facts
Why travelers love this tour
"The chef was amazing! Learned so much about Moroccan cooking. The tagine we made was incredible, and the market visit was fascinating. Best cooking class experience!"