Write Your Own Ratatouille Story in Emblematic Hotels & Riads!

Having fun in the kitchen

Cooking Workshops in the Finest of Marrakech

There are travel experiences that stay with you forever. Some are grand and dramatic, others are quiet moments of connection — like stirring a pot of slowly braised lamb while the scent of cinnamon and saffron rises into a riad courtyard filled with birdsong. In Marrakech, you don’t just eat the cuisine — you live it. And if you choose well, you can cook it, too — in the kitchens of the city’s most emblematic hotels and riads, where elegance, history, and passion come together under one roof.

In this blog, we focus on exclusive cooking workshops offered by the most prestigious hotels and historic riads — places you’ll find in our GH Signature Collection. These experiences are for travelers who want more than just a good meal — they want a memory, a connection, a story to tell.

La Maison Arabe – Where it all began

Let’s start where it all started. La Maison Arabe was the first to open its doors and bring Moroccan cooking to guests in a real, hands-on way. Their cooking school, located in a beautiful garden annex just a few minutes from the main riad, is a peaceful, inspiring place.

Workshops here are led by traditional dadas :)— the women who carry the culinary memory of Morocco — assisted by a translator and a team that gives just the right amount of guidance. Guests learn to prepare a full Moroccan menu: salads with charmoula and orange blossom, a main dish like lemon chicken or lamb with prunes, and then mint tea — poured from high, of course. And yes, you get to eat everything you make.

Why it’s special:

• Historic riad with decades of culinary experience

• Cook in a dedicated garden pavilion

• Personal and relaxed atmosphere

• Great for couples, friends, or solo travelers

Royal Mansour – Cooking, the Royal Way

If La Maison Arabe is about heritage, Royal Mansour is about perfection. Owned by the King of Morocco himself, this hotel redefines luxury. Their cooking school is a temple to fine cuisine, and the workshops are tailored to match the guest’s interest — Moroccan, French, Italian, or even pastry arts.

Every ingredient is of the highest quality, every kitchen space pristine. You’ll learn dishes like tanjiat marrakchia, seafood pastilla, or even delicate couscous in a minimalist, professional kitchen surrounded by Zellige tiles and brass details.

Why it’s special:

• Five-star environment with royal-level hospitality

• Fully equipped, air-conditioned cooking atelier

• Optional private lessons or thematic workshops

• Located inside one of Morocco’s most luxurious hotels

La Sultana – From the Market to the Rooftop

La Sultana Marrakech brings you closer to the soul of the city. Here, the workshop starts in the souk. You go to the market with the chef, choosing vegetables, herbs, and spices. Then, back at the hotel, you’re welcomed to a stunning rooftop where your outdoor kitchen awaits — with views over the Saadian Tombs and the rooftops of the Kasbah. (One of my favorite locations to recharge my batteries.)

The chef walks you through the preparation of classic Moroccan dishes, explaining the layers of flavor that make this cuisine so special. It’s a workshop and a cultural tour in one.

Why it’s special:

• Market visit included

• Rooftop cooking station with spectacular views

• Great insight into Moroccan daily life and flavors

• Part of one of the city’s most beautifully restored riads

Musée de l’Art Culinaire Marocain – A Living Museum of Taste

Located in a 17th-century palace, the Musée de l’Art Culinaire Marocain is a tribute to Moroccan culinary history. But it’s not just about looking — it’s about doing. The museum offers interactive workshops in a restored traditional kitchen, where you’ll prepare dishes with guidance from real dadas and chefs trained in heritage cooking. I had the chance to follow this project from the beginning, where traditional riads were transformed into this multifaceted museum. A nice place to visit if you're in the neighborhood.

You can consider this a bit more than just a cooking class — this place gives you the opportunity to understand the roots of Moroccan cuisine, the importance of spices, and how dishes connect to family, rituals, and celebration.

Why it’s special:

• Cultural depth and historical setting

• Access to rarely taught dishes and techniques

• Perfect for foodies and lovers of Moroccan heritage

• A chance to connect cooking with culture in a meaningful way

 Other Workshops… and Why We Focus on the Finest

Yes, Marrakech offers all kinds of cooking workshops. In local homes, in small riads, even outdoor in Berber villages — and often for very attractive prices (starting from €30). These are charming and have their place.

But what makes the workshops we’ve described unique is their combination of authenticity, elegance, and professionalism. These are places where every detail is curated — from the utensils to the aprons to the setting in which you dine on your own creation. You’re not just learning to cook — you’re entering a world of beauty and tradition that makes the experience unforgettable.

And if you stay in one of these hotels, the class might just be a few steps from your room — or even offered in private, on demand.

Ready to cook in style?

If you're coming to Marrakech and staying at one of the grand hotels or selected riads in our GH Signature Collection, ask us about booking a cooking workshop. It’s a perfect half-day activity to connect with Moroccan culture in a meaningful — and delicious — way.

Because sometimes, the best souvenirs don’t fit in your suitcase. They come with the scent of cinnamon, a recipe tucked in your pocket, and the story of how you stood beside a chef… and wrote your own little Ratatouille story in the Red City.

Time for some pastries with a cup of tea.

Peter.

If you need more info, just a mail away.