Maria was born in a small village in central Portugal surrounded by green forests, farms, rivers and waterfalls. She moved to Porto to study management and soon after moved to Scotland to follow her childhood passion – cooking! As a little girl, Maria helped her mother bake traditional sweet treats. She and her sister used to enjoy whisking the cake batter and then licking the bowl at the end! This is what made Maria curious about food and ignited a passion for cooking and baking in her. Even though Maria graduated in management and worked at a Port wine cellar company for a few years, she later professionally studied to become a chef in Scotland. Maria is a food and wine tour guide in Port who loves creating memorable experiences for her travelers – sharing tips, recipes, cultural and historical information about Portugal by offering cooking classes in her own kitchen!
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(1-5 guests)
Experience authentic Portuguese hospitality over a traditional home-cooked meal with Maria, a fun local who loves sharing her passion for food and local culture with travelers. Maria learned to cook from her mother and aunt, and many of the dishes she prepares today are inspired by treasured family recipes.
During your private dining experience in Porto, join Maria and her boyfriend at their dining table for a delicious Portuguese meal prepared with family recipes. Enjoy local specialties such as clams à Bulhão Pato, cooked in a flavorful garlic and white wine sauce and served with crusty bread, and Portuguese-style chicken curry with rice. End your meal with a traditional Portuguese dessert such as jesuitas, a flaky pastry filled with almond cream and topped with sliced almonds and powdered sugar.
More than just a meal, this is an opportunity to connect with a local, discover Portuguese culinary traditions, and experience everyday life in a Porto home.
Cooking experience:
(1-5 guests)
Join Maria, a professional chef, in her home kitchen for a private, hands-on Portuguese cooking class in Porto. Learn to prepare traditional Portuguese dishes using family recipes passed down from her mother and aunt, while discovering the ingredients, techniques, and stories behind Portugal's home-style cooking.
During your 1.5-hour cooking class, learn to make two authentic Portuguese dishes from scratch, choosing from one of three menus listed below. Maria will guide you through each step, sharing cooking tips and family traditions along the way.
After cooking, sit down with Maria at her dining table to enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare. This intimate cooking experience offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about Portuguese cuisine, connect with a local chef, and bring a taste of Portugal home with you.
Notes:
Maria can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets with advance notice. Please mention any dietary restrictions when booking.
Optional alcohol add-on: Includes one glass of local Portuguese wine with your meal.
Wine pairing upgrade: For $39 per person, enjoy a curated tasting of 3–4 premium Portuguese wines selected by your host. Please email us if you'd like to add this upgrade to your experience.
Languages spoken: English, Portuguese
Maria was an incredible host and great teacher. She was so prepared and organized. Her years of being a professional chef in many settings was evident. The food was incredible, the conversation lovely, and the fact that we had an authentic Portuguese experience in her home, was invaluable. This is truly a highlight of our month long vacation. We only wish we could have spent more time with Maria. Obrigada Maria!- dana August 16, 2026
Maria's cooking class was a highlight in our trip to Portugal! She was good at communicating ahead of the experience to confirm and accommodate any allergies/etc... She also had already pre-cut some of the ingredients to save time, so we could enjoy our meal together! We had a wonderful time and 10/10 would recommend Maria's teaching and hospitality!- caitlin March 15, 2026
Maria was a fantastic host and chef. She welcomed us into her home and taught us some simple recipes for very good food. I would always recommend Maria - she was great.- Elizabeth June 03, 2024
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