Tour overview
Cooking classes in Zanzibar offer our clients a unique and immersive way to experience the rich culinary heritage of the island. Known for its vibrant spices and diverse cultural influences, Zanzibar’s cuisine reflects a blend of African, Arab, Indian, and European flavors. Here’s an overview of what tourists can expect from cooking classes in this exotic destination:
The Spice Tour Experience
Zanzibar is often referred to as the “Spice Island” due to its historical significance as a major spice producer. Many cooking classes begin with a spice tour, where participants visit local spice farms to see, smell, and taste fresh spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla. These tours provide insight into how spices are cultivated and harvested, and they set the stage for understanding the ingredients used in Zanzibari cuisine.
Hands-On Cooking Classes
Most cooking classes in Zanzibar are hands-on, allowing tourists to actively participate in preparing traditional dishes. Under the guidance of local chefs, participants learn to cook a variety of dishes such as:
- Zanzibari Pilau: A fragrant rice dish cooked with a blend of spices, meat, and vegetables.
- Urojo Soup: Also known as Zanzibar mix, this is a tangy soup with potatoes, fritters, and boiled eggs.
- Seafood Dishes: Given Zanzibar’s location, seafood is a staple. Classes often include preparations of fresh fish, prawns, and octopus, typically grilled or cooked in coconut-based sauces.
- Chapati and Samosas: Influenced by Indian cuisine, these flatbreads and stuffed pastries are popular snacks.
Cultural Insights
Beyond cooking, these classes provide cultural insights and storytelling, with chefs sharing anecdotes and historical contexts behind the dishes. Participants often learn about the Swahili way of life, traditional cooking methods, and the importance of communal eating.
Market Visits
Many cooking classes include a visit to local markets such as Darajani Market in Stone Town. These excursions allow tourists to experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of a Zanzibari market, understand the source of fresh ingredients, and practice selecting produce and spices.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
After the cooking session, participants get to enjoy the meal they have prepared, often in a communal setting with other tourists. This offers an opportunity to savor the flavors of Zanzibar and share the experience with fellow food enthusiasts.
Price Rates:
- From North and North East :- $100 pp
- From East to South :- $100 pp
- From Stone town : $80 pp
- From Chuini : $80 pp
Included
- Tour Guide
- Lunch
- Go & Return Car pickup
- Cooking instructor
- Government Tax Fees
Not Included
- Tips & Gratitude
- International flights
Cooking classes in Zanzibar
The tours is a 4 hours trip that will start by picking you up at your hotel, and take you for a drive to kidichi spice farms for doing spice tours, then after the spice tour you will be taken to a class where you will meet a local Swahili chef who will teach you all about the traditional Swahili kitchen dishes as you learn hands on, once finish you will have lunch with the locals, and later on we take you back to your hotel for overnight stay.