Private Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class in Lisbon with Paula

We chose Paula’s Authentic Cooking Class hoping for an engaging and enjoyable cultural experience. While we appreciated meeting Paula and learning about local culture, several issues significantly affected our overall experience. The day began with a pickup at the ferry, followed by a stop at a grocery store so Paula could purchase the ingredients she had said she had been unable to obtain earlier. During this time, we felt somewhat pressured to try items (such as squid and mussels) we had already indicated we did not prefer, which led us to purchase a pepperoni pizza from the frozen section for a teenager in our group. Our primary concern was the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen. Raw seafood was prepared on a cutting surface that was then used for vegetables without proper sanitation. There was no soap available for washing hands or surfaces, and only a single shared hand towel was provided. Additionally, the kitchen surfaces, including counters and cabinets, appeared visibly unclean. There were also a few logistical and comfort concerns. The restroom contained a litter box, and another individual residing in the apartment moved in and out during our visit, which we had not expected. At one point, Paula also took a phone call during the class. The kitchen itself was very small, extremely warm, and did not comfortably accommodate our group of four. That meant that three of us either crowded around the cook and took turns or sat in chairs which we had dragged into the kitchen. At one point, Paula asked our teenager to climb a chair to get a large pot from the top of a cabinet. Finally, the experience lasted significantly longer than advertised. The class was scheduled for approximately three hours but ran for five and a half hours, taking up nearly our entire day. Overall, while there were some positive elements, the lack of cleanliness, organization, and adherence to the stated schedule made this a disappointing experience for our group.

Wonderfully relaxed and sincere cooking workshop! We enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere, the fun cooking tips and the Portuguese culture. Highly recommended!

Absolutely amazing time with Paula. The class was excellent. Learned so much and had a delicious meal. Paula is in no rush so it is a very relaxed time. We also learned so much about Portugal through our many questions. This was a great experience

Paula is a most gracious and knowledgeable teacher! I’ve taken many cooking classes and she taught me several tricks I’d never learned before. She caters to what your preferences are regarding protein selection, spices and flavor profiles. I personally enjoyed the 1:1 lesson but could easily recommend having another person . Paula made sure I performed many of the tasks and used the techniques she taught giving me a real sense of competence . She also allowed flexibility within the recipes giving variations I could use at home. The ingredients were all very fresh and obtainable back in the USA. One of the best parts was it was fun! I mean she keeps the joy within the class. She truly loves food and cooking which shows in her teaching. I’m most anxious to make these for friends when I return home. If ever in Lisbon again I’d for sure take another lesson from Paula🩷

Paula is a lovely considerate creative and affable lady. She communicated well ensuring we’d find each other after taking the ferry to Almada which was a bonus to my trip to Lisbon! She asked ahead of time the types of dishes I would be interested in helping to make. She not only taught me some traditional Portuguese recipes but along the way helped me improve my cooking skills! Afterwards we had a leisurely lunch of the dishes we worked on together discussing many topics with some tasty local regional wine.

Paula is a very warm and friendly person. Her English is very good and she is a patient teacher. We learned some vaulable food preparation skills. We made a clam appetizer, a meringue and custard dessert, and a pork main dish. All of the food was delicious. Paul was very accommodating and contacted us ahead of time about the menu and our food preferences. Paula's apartment is small but clean and neat. There were only two of us in my party so we did not have any trouble getting around the kitchen. We were very happy with our cooking lesson, the food and her hospitality. We recommend supporting this local business.

Took ferry over to Cacilhas from Lisbon. Lovely neighboorhood. Was escorted to Paula's apartment, cooked a mix of Goan and Portuguese dishes, learned some new techniques and shared stories and good company. Delicious!

Paulinha’s cooking class was truly one of my highlights of my trip to Lisbon. Getting hands on cooking experience with a true Portuguese local provided cultural insights I would never have learned otherwise. She is an absolute delight and her welcoming personality provides a comfortable learning environment. You will learn cooking skills you will use for the rest of your lifetime in this class and be able to make essential Portuguese dishes.

The cooking class with Paula was really great! She has given us many tips on preparation that will definitely make our work in the kitchen easier at home. The dishes were very delicious and easy to recook! Thanks to Paula's hospitality, you felt at home ! Thanks for the great lunch!

Great experience with Paula. Food was fantastic and authentic! We would encourage anyone to spend some time with her.