This cooking class was the highlight of my and my friends Egypt trip. we took a chance and it was a great experience. As the class was in our guide Mariem’s home, pick up was at our hotel and we drove to her neighborhood and accompanied her to pick up ingredients at the local open market. We picked up fresh vegetables, chicken and fruit. She encouraged us to to tell her what we were interested in learning. We wanted to learn how to make babaghanoush and so we immediately bought some eggplant at the market. Then we took a tuk tuk back to her family’s apartment where she introduced us to her mom and brothers. Her mom was the star chef. We helped prep some ingredients, while exchanging stories in her living room over coffee and food her mom made for us. Menu: Molokhia soup, Mahshi w/ grape leaves, Mahshi w/ eggplant, Oven baked Chicken, Babaganoosh, and Lesan elasfour soup. We shared stories of Egyptian culture, food, and daily life. After, she showed us where we could buy cezve, and makharta at the neighborhood store to bring back home. Mariem and her mom made this experience so much fun and they were both very sweet. We will remember this for many years to come! I’ve done cooking tours in other cities, none have ever been as raw, authentic and personal as this experience. Highly recommend. Please note that this is in their home, we were as respectful as possible. Dressed appropriately and took off our shoes before entering their home. The focus is less on the actual recipes, but the experience of a true local family.











