You will learn Moroccan food, not just watch it. The best part here is starting in the Old Medina market with Asma, then stepping into a historic riad kitchen to cook.

I love how the market stop turns ingredients into a lesson, not a shopping trip. You get a feel for what people actually buy in Fes, and why.

I also loved the hands-on time with chef Oumaima at Riad dar Chrifa, where you work side by side and end up eating what you made. One possible drawback: if you do not share your cooking preferences ahead of time, they may have to adapt the menu on the fly.

Key highlights worth your time

• Old Medina shopping with Asma: learn what to look for and what locals value
• Historic riad cooking at Riad dar Chrifa: a real home-kitchen setting, not a demo stage
• Work with chef Oumaima: practical technique, questions welcome
• A full 3-course Moroccan meal: you eat an entire menu you helped create
• Moroccan tea to finish: a calm, traditional wrap-up after cooking

Meeting at Hotel Batha: your Medina starting line

Your experience starts at the front entrance to Hotel Batha. That matters, because the Old Medina is a maze of turns, and having a clear meeting spot is half the battle. You’ll meet your guide in English, which keeps everything smooth from the first minute.

Then the group heads into the Medina on foot. Expect a mix of walking and short stops to look at ingredients. This tour is about 4 hours total, so it moves at a steady pace without rushing you through every step.

A practical note on getting there

Since transportation is not included, you’ll want to plan how you’ll reach Hotel Batha first. If you’re staying somewhere deeper inside the Medina, you might still find it easier to get to the edge and then walk in with your guide.

Old Medina market tour: where ingredients get their stories

The first big chunk of the class is the guided market tour in the Old Medina. This is where the tour earns its keep. You’re not just picking ingredients for a recipe. You’re learning what these ingredients mean in everyday Moroccan cooking.

You’ll walk through stalls and see produce and pantry staples that show up in many Fez-style dishes. Your guide helps connect the dots between what you can buy and what you will cook later. That turns you from a passive eater into someone who understands flavors and textures.

What you gain beyond the shopping list

In a market like this, it’s easy to miss the details that make Moroccan food taste Moroccan. Here, you get to ask questions and see how ingredients are selected. That includes things like how certain items are grouped and what looks freshest for cooking.

It also gives you context for the riad stage. When you later chop, season, and assemble your dishes, the ingredients won’t feel random. They’ll feel chosen on purpose.

Choosing your menu: tell them what you want to cook

After the market tour, the host asks about your preferences and recommends a menu. This is smart, because you’ll get a better result when the plan matches your tastes and comfort level.

You also decide what to cook, and the group shops for the ingredients based on that decision. One important tip from experience: if you skip sharing your interests ahead of time, the organizers may have to adjust what they prepare. It can still work, but it’s the one part where planning helps.

How to use this moment

If you have strong preferences, say them clearly early. For example, if you want chicken, vegetables, or a specific type of dish, tell them. If you avoid certain ingredients or spices, say that too.

This is the part of the tour where you can steer your own success. A good menu choice means you leave with dishes you actually want to repeat at home.

Riad dar Chrifa cooking time with chef Oumaima

Next comes the move from the market to a historic family-owned riad, specifically Riad dar Chrifa. This transition is more than a change of scenery. The riad setting helps you slow down and focus on cooking steps you can remember later.

Inside, you join the chef’s brigade and work directly with the team. Chef Oumaima is the star here, and you’re not stuck watching from a corner. You’re doing the tasks that make the final dishes happen—mixing, prepping, and learning technique as you go.

How the instruction feels

The best kind of cooking class teaches you in practical chunks. Here, you get guided help while staying active. That’s why questions feel normal, not disruptive.

One review experience that stands out: the hosts were warm, fun, and responsive. That energy matters in a small kitchen, because it makes the whole process feel relaxed instead of tense or overly formal.

What you’ll cook: a real 3-course Moroccan meal

The goal is a 3-course Moroccan meal you help produce. The exact dishes can vary based on your menu choice, but you should expect classic Moroccan flavors and the kind of techniques that show up in Fez cooking.

Chicken dishes are a recurring highlight, including chicken tanjin. If you see that on your options, it’s a safe bet for learning something truly Moroccan in both method and flavor.

Skills you can actually take home

The biggest value of this portion is technique, not just the final plate. You learn how seasoning is built and how flavors come together through steps that feel small but matter.

Even if you don’t recreate every ingredient perfectly at home, you’ll walk away with a sense of:

• what goes in first and why
• how to balance seasonings
• how texture changes as you cook

That’s what makes this class more useful than a one-time dinner. You leave with a process you can adapt.

The meal: eat what you made, then go for tea

After cooking, you sit down to enjoy the full menu you created, from appetizers through dessert. This is one of those simple things that travel classes often get wrong. Here, the meal isn’t an afterthought—it’s the payoff.

You’ll get to taste the dishes while the instructions are still fresh in your head. That timing helps you remember what each step changed. It also lets you adjust your own instincts next time you cook.

Then the experience ends with Moroccan tea, which is a perfect finish. It slows the whole event down and gives you a moment to reflect on what you learned, what you liked, and what you might want to cook differently next time.

Price and value: is $73 worth it?

At $73 per person for about 4 hours, the value is mostly in what’s included and what you get access to.

You get:

• a guided Old Medina market tour
• fresh ingredient shopping
• a chef-led cooking workshop in a historic riad
• a 3-course meal
• food and drinks

The only real added cost you should expect is getting to the meeting point, since transportation isn’t included. If you’re already near Hotel Batha, this can feel like a straightforward deal. If you have to taxi across town, factor that in so you don’t get surprised at checkout.

Who gets the best value

This class is best for you if you want more than a meal. You like learning by doing. You enjoy asking questions in the moment. And you want dishes you can realistically repeat, not just impressive plates you can’t recreate.

If you only want a quick taste of Moroccan food with minimal effort, you might find a long cooking session is more work than you want. But if you enjoy cooking or even just watching closely, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Who should book this Fes cooking class

I think this tour fits these types of travelers well:

• You want an Old Medina experience that’s organized and easy to follow
• You care about understanding ingredients, not just taking photos
• You like small moments of hands-on learning
• You enjoy eating what you made, while it still feels like a live lesson

It’s also a good choice for couples or small groups who want a shared activity with a clear structure. The English guidance keeps it comfortable if you don’t read Arabic or French.

Quick drawbacks to keep in mind

Here’s the honest side, without drama:

• You need to plan your meetup logistics, because transportation is not included.
• Tell them your preferences early if you have specific dishes in mind, since menu planning helps the whole workflow.
• You’ll be doing real kitchen work, so comfy shoes help for the walking and prep time.

If those points sound fine, you’re in the right place.

Should you book this tour?

I’d recommend booking this if you want a memorable Fes food experience with structure and real instruction. The market start with Asma gives you context you can use later. The riad cooking with chef Oumaima at Riad dar Chrifa gives you the hands-on skills that make the meal stick.

If you’re worried about menu flexibility, just send your preferences ahead of time and you’ll set yourself up for a better outcome. And if you don’t want to think about how to get to Hotel Batha, make sure you have a plan for getting there.

Overall, this feels like a solid value: you’re paying for guidance, cooking instruction, and a full meal, not just a single dish.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Fes cooking class?

Meet your guide in front of the main entrance to Hotel Batha.

How long is the experience?

It runs for 4 hours.

What does the price include?

Food and drinks are included.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included.

Will the guide speak English?

Yes. The host or greeter is listed as English, and the language information shows English.

What happens first: market or cooking?

You start with a guided market tour in the Old Medina, then you shop for ingredients and head to the riad to cook.

Do we choose what we cook?

Yes. Your host will ask about your preferences and you’ll decide what to cook based on a recommended menu.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve & pay later is also offered.