The fastest way to connect with people and culture is to learn about their food.
Behind every beloved local dish is a story, one that often says more about a place than any travel guidebook. Food often reflects the values and history of a community. Some recipes are centuries old and have been passed down through generations. They are the flavours of history, geography, and tradition. For many, they often tie the cultivation of local crops to cultural practice. The way they prepare a dish — who makes it, how it’s served, and when and even how it’s eaten often reflects the climate, the economy, family roles and spiritual beliefs.
Discovering how to prepare local recipes while travelling can make your journey more impactful. Cooking is hands-on and can be communal; something magical happens when you’re invited into a local kitchen. They are sacred spaces. You become more than a traveller, you’re part of something personal. You don’t just learn how to cook; you’re educated on the folklore and memories tied to the dish. Learning these insights provides emotional depth, and it helps you better understand the culture of the place you’re visiting. A local recipe could hold the memory of wartime resilience or could trace back to centuries-old practices.
Furthermore, learning about food can be a deeply enriching cultural — often taking place in intimate, women-led spaces where people share language, trust, and cultural etiquette alongside recipes. Here is a list of destinations across the continent that offer cooking classes and a glimpse into their daily lives, local traditions and communities.
Learn about Swahili cooking from the Mamas of Zanzibar
Mamas of Africa, located in Zanzibar, Tanzania, is run by local “mamas.” A $32 fee covers a market visit for local ingredients, local garments, and lessons on nine dishes — including how to make coconut milk from scratch.
My sister, who is visiting Zanzibar for the first time, shared that it was one of her favourite activities. The Mamas see themselves as heritage keepers, proudly sharing the island’s culture and traditional heritage. They promote the empowerment of women as a space run and owned by Zanzibari women. They came together in 2022 as women living in the same neighbourhood interested in sharing Swahili cooking techniques and Zanzibari traditions.
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Cook in Marrakesh while supporting the locals
Amal is a non-profit organisation based in Marrakesh that teaches authentic Moroccan baking and cooking skills while helping young women. Through hands-on training funded by the cooking classes, Amal equips local women with the culinary skills needed to work in some of the city’s top restaurants. Guests learn to make popular sweet or savoury Moroccan meals, familiarising themselves with local recipes, ingredients, spices, and techniques. Each class ends with a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony, where guests share and enjoy the dishes they’ve prepared together.
Learn about rich coffee flavours in Addis Ababa
Spiral Labs in Addis Ababa celebrates Ethiopia’s rich coffee culture, offering tourists and enthusiasts a chance to explore the aromas and flavours of carefully curated local brews. They offer week-long courses and certificates on how coffee gets from the farm to the table. The rigorous tasting sessions will help develop a sharper palate. If you are hoping for a short visit, they also have daily classes on how to brew an authentic cup of Ethiopian coffee. Tours of local coffee processing plants are also available. At Spiral Labs, you’ll learn how to distinguish the unique coffee flavours — and uncover the history of what coffee signifies to the Ethiopian community. You can book a lesson by calling the number listed on their Instagram page.
Explore the heart of Ghana through its indigenous cuisine
Midunu, a popular restaurant, is known for sharing authentic and creative takes on local dishes in Tesano, Ghana. Run by Chef Selassie Atadika, a renowned chef who recently bagged a 2025 Earth Award from TIME magazine. She specialises in deconstructing Ghanaian cuisine and highlighting the need for indigenous ingredients to be at the forefront of African dishes. Chef Selassie creates dining experiences that share the history behind every dish and its preparation. Her re-imagination of traditional Ghanaian cuisine and her knowledge of raw ingredients are what she shares with the participants of these culinary explorations. This is a great opportunity to learn about everyday Ghanaian food. During the meal, she shares how she preserves and ferments an ingredient. She also shares the secrets to how the African locust bean and other foods end up on your table. You’ll learn how indigenous plants like millet, moringa and cowpeas shape their menu.
From the bustling kitchens of Zanzibar to the vibrant coffee farms of Ethiopia, and the innovative dining experiences of Ghana and Morocco, food touring offers a unique lens through which to explore the heart and soul of a destination.
These immersive culinary journeys don’t just teach you how to cook; they reveal the stories, traditions, and values that define a community. They are instrumental in fostering deep connections and a profound understanding of diverse cultures. By embracing these hands-on opportunities, travellers can move beyond mere sightseeing and also truly taste the culture, creating memories that nourish both the palate and the spirit.
