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Host: Kamala

Chennai (Madras), India

USD
$25-$59 per person

Traditional Chettinad Cooking Class near Chennai

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Kamala

Kamala, a member of the trading community of the Chettinad region, lives within walking distance to the beach and a short drive to Dakshinchitra, a cultural heritage center that showcases the homes of South India. She enjoys introducing travelers to the flavors of Chettinad cuisine. Please NOTE that Kamala lives about 40-50 min outside of Chennai.

What to expect

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: (1-6 guests) After your long drive, relax in Kamala's traditionally decorated home before enjoying a traditional Chettinad meal. The Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu is famous for its focus on aromatic flavors and use of freshly ground spices in predominately non-vegetarian dishes. Your menu may include dishes such as Chettinad chicken, minced mutton nuggets, fish curry, jackfruit masala, and one of our favorites, piping hot dosas (roasted, rice pancakes) fresh off the griddle, all served on a fresh banana leaf.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) In your Chennai cooking class, Kamala will teach you to prepare two or three traditional Chettinad dishes, including how to pour dosas, a savory roasted crepe prepared from fermented rice and lentil batter, a Chennai food specialty. Your hands-on cooking lesson will last about 1-2 hours before you sit down at her dining table and enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) Meet Kamala at home before embarking on a visit of the local vegetable market, a 15 minute drive from Kamala's house which is open between 7am-12pm and 5pm-7pm. Please note that the market is closed on the last Friday of every month. If you're interested in visiting the local fish market instead or in addition, it is 5 minutes away and is only open in the morning from 10am-12pm.

Notes:
1. Kamala's home is about 1 hour outside of central Chennai by car, so please leave enough time for the drive.
2. Her home is en route to Mahabalipuram, Chennai's popular tourist sight of the coastal temples of the Pallava Kings. 5 minutes away from the beach and 20 minutes away from Dakshinachitra, a beautiful open-air museum of South Indian heritage and culture.
3. If you select the optional transport add-on (maximum 4 guests per vehicle), your host will provide convenient round-trip transfers.

Languages spoken: English, Tamil

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Chettinad chicken or minced mutton nuggets
  • Fish curry or jackfruit masala
  • Dosa

Traveler reviews

5.0 (10)
I told her that I run a restaurant that serves South Indian cuisine and wanted to discuss the menu I would like to learn, and she took into consideration the menu I wanted to learn and organized a lesson that included both Chettinadu and Tamil cuisine. Kamala was thoughtful enough to prepare the recipes, and the lesson was thorough and easy to understand, so I was able to spend a valuable time. The finished dishes were also delicious. I'm really glad I was able to participate.
- naom March 06, 2026
You can learn cooking carefully from a calm and experienced teacher. A resume is provided so you can easily refer back to it later. The kitchen is clean and you can see that she loves cooking. It's the perfect class to experience cooking in Chennai.
- kate February 26, 2026
Interested in South Indian cuisine and wanting to experience it authentically on site, Traveling Spoon took the children to experience Chettinad cuisine at Kamala's home on the outskirts of Chennai. In the cooking class, we cooked dishes using homemade recipes such as mixed vegetable soup, Chettinad chicken curry, shrimp curry (changed from the planned fried fish), rice and dosa, and the South Indian dessert "payasam." I was particularly impressed by the chicken curry, which was simple yet brought out the flavor of the ingredients and had a perfect balance with the spices. We also had the chance to try baking dosas, which was surprisingly difficult! I did it with a bang, but Kamala was very skilled. In the kitchen, we got to see cooking utensils and spice boxes unique to South India. It was fun learning about cultural differences and the ingenuity of everyday life that is rarely seen in Japan, such as how to drain rice and how to use a stone mill. At this cooking class, I didn't just learn how to cook, but I also got to experience the real background to Indian cuisine, such as the local lifestyle and way of thinking, the ingredients used, and the cooking environment, making it a truly valuable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn how to cook in India or experience the excitement of a South Indian home!
- Joe April 11, 2025
On February 22nd, I attended a traditional Chettinad cooking class with Kamala through Traveling Spoon. The menu included Chettinad-style cauliflower soup, chicken curry, and shrimp masala, both with freshly made dosas, and for dessert, a tapioca payasam. Kamala taught the class clearly, providing helpful tips and even suggesting alternatives for ingredients that are hard to find outside of India. Her style is very engaging; the three hours flew by, and every dish was exceptional. Kamala's hospitality and excellent communication made the experience even more special. Her home offers the perfect setting; she was also kind enough to help me with my return to Chennai. The class was a memorable moment of my trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about South Indian or Chettinad cuisine.
- Dexter March 26, 2025
Kamala was a great host and teacher. The arrangement was flawless from communication from Kamala about menu and specific requests, to pickup at the hotel by Kamala in an arranged car and the market visit where Kamala’s shared a wealth of local food knowledge. Arriving at Kamala’s house, everything was well organised and you start cooking. Kamala’s recipes are authentic and reproducible once you get back home. The dosa making was a great experience. Enjoying the food you have made with Kamala was like eating at home. Communication with Kamala was effortless as her English was perfect. Overall I would highly recommend this experience.
- Tracy March 23, 2025
Read More

Kamala

$25-$59 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $29 $25 $25
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $49 $35 $29
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $45 $39
Transportation
 $32 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $29 $25 $25
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $49 $35 $29
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $45 $39
Transportation
 $32 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 11:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-12:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-9:00pm

Meet Kamala

Kamala, a member of the trading community of the Chettinad region, lives within walking distance to the beach and a short drive to Dakshinchitra, a cultural heritage center that showcases the homes of South India. She enjoys introducing travelers to the flavors of Chettinad cuisine. Please NOTE that Kamala lives about 40-50 min outside of Chennai.

What to expect

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: (1-6 guests) After your long drive, relax in Kamala's traditionally decorated home before enjoying a traditional Chettinad meal. The Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu is famous for its focus on aromatic flavors and use of freshly ground spices in predominately non-vegetarian dishes. Your menu may include dishes such as Chettinad chicken, minced mutton nuggets, fish curry, jackfruit masala, and one of our favorites, piping hot dosas (roasted, rice pancakes) fresh off the griddle, all served on a fresh banana leaf.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) In your Chennai cooking class, Kamala will teach you to prepare two or three traditional Chettinad dishes, including how to pour dosas, a savory roasted crepe prepared from fermented rice and lentil batter, a Chennai food specialty. Your hands-on cooking lesson will last about 1-2 hours before you sit down at her dining table and enjoy the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) Meet Kamala at home before embarking on a visit of the local vegetable market, a 15 minute drive from Kamala's house which is open between 7am-12pm and 5pm-7pm. Please note that the market is closed on the last Friday of every month. If you're interested in visiting the local fish market instead or in addition, it is 5 minutes away and is only open in the morning from 10am-12pm.

Notes:
1. Kamala's home is about 1 hour outside of central Chennai by car, so please leave enough time for the drive.
2. Her home is en route to Mahabalipuram, Chennai's popular tourist sight of the coastal temples of the Pallava Kings. 5 minutes away from the beach and 20 minutes away from Dakshinachitra, a beautiful open-air museum of South Indian heritage and culture.
3. If you select the optional transport add-on (maximum 4 guests per vehicle), your host will provide convenient round-trip transfers.

Languages spoken: English, Tamil

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Chettinad chicken or minced mutton nuggets
  • Fish curry or jackfruit masala
  • Dosa

Traveler reviews

5.0 (10)
I told her that I run a restaurant that serves South Indian cuisine and wanted to discuss the menu I would like to learn, and she took into consideration the menu I wanted to learn and organized a lesson that included both Chettinadu and Tamil cuisine. Kamala was thoughtful enough to prepare the recipes, and the lesson was thorough and easy to understand, so I was able to spend a valuable time. The finished dishes were also delicious. I'm really glad I was able to participate.
- naom March 06, 2026
You can learn cooking carefully from a calm and experienced teacher. A resume is provided so you can easily refer back to it later. The kitchen is clean and you can see that she loves cooking. It's the perfect class to experience cooking in Chennai.
- kate February 26, 2026
Interested in South Indian cuisine and wanting to experience it authentically on site, Traveling Spoon took the children to experience Chettinad cuisine at Kamala's home on the outskirts of Chennai. In the cooking class, we cooked dishes using homemade recipes such as mixed vegetable soup, Chettinad chicken curry, shrimp curry (changed from the planned fried fish), rice and dosa, and the South Indian dessert "payasam." I was particularly impressed by the chicken curry, which was simple yet brought out the flavor of the ingredients and had a perfect balance with the spices. We also had the chance to try baking dosas, which was surprisingly difficult! I did it with a bang, but Kamala was very skilled. In the kitchen, we got to see cooking utensils and spice boxes unique to South India. It was fun learning about cultural differences and the ingenuity of everyday life that is rarely seen in Japan, such as how to drain rice and how to use a stone mill. At this cooking class, I didn't just learn how to cook, but I also got to experience the real background to Indian cuisine, such as the local lifestyle and way of thinking, the ingredients used, and the cooking environment, making it a truly valuable experience. I would wholeheartedly recommend this class to anyone who wants to learn how to cook in India or experience the excitement of a South Indian home!
- Joe April 11, 2025
On February 22nd, I attended a traditional Chettinad cooking class with Kamala through Traveling Spoon. The menu included Chettinad-style cauliflower soup, chicken curry, and shrimp masala, both with freshly made dosas, and for dessert, a tapioca payasam. Kamala taught the class clearly, providing helpful tips and even suggesting alternatives for ingredients that are hard to find outside of India. Her style is very engaging; the three hours flew by, and every dish was exceptional. Kamala's hospitality and excellent communication made the experience even more special. Her home offers the perfect setting; she was also kind enough to help me with my return to Chennai. The class was a memorable moment of my trip, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about South Indian or Chettinad cuisine.
- Dexter March 26, 2025
Kamala was a great host and teacher. The arrangement was flawless from communication from Kamala about menu and specific requests, to pickup at the hotel by Kamala in an arranged car and the market visit where Kamala’s shared a wealth of local food knowledge. Arriving at Kamala’s house, everything was well organised and you start cooking. Kamala’s recipes are authentic and reproducible once you get back home. The dosa making was a great experience. Enjoying the food you have made with Kamala was like eating at home. Communication with Kamala was effortless as her English was perfect. Overall I would highly recommend this experience.
- Tracy March 23, 2025
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $29 $25 $25
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $49 $35 $29
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $45 $39
Transportation
 $32 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $29 $25 $25
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $49 $35 $29
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $59 $45 $39
Transportation
 $32 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 11:00am-1:00pm 5:00pm-7:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-12:30pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-9:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.