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Host: Maria

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

USD
$349 per person

Azorean Cooking Class in São Miguel with Ponta Delgada Cruise Port Transfers

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Maria

Maria grew up in a small village on São Miguel Island in the Azores, surrounded by a family of farmers. Her parents and grandparents cultivated everything from garlic and oranges to watermelons, exporting their produce to mainland Portugal. Growing up with fresh, seasonal ingredients inspired Maria's lifelong love of food and traditional Azorean cooking. After studying social work and working as a family therapist in mainland Portugal, Maria returned to São Miguel in search of a slower, more peaceful life. She settled in Fenais da Luz, a small village near Ponta Delgada, where she bought a home with an orchard. Today, she grows figs, apples, pears, almonds, oranges, and even tropical fruits such as papaya, guava, and lychee, thanks to the island's mild climate. Whenever possible, Maria incorporates ingredients harvested from her own garden and orchard into the traditional Azorean dishes she prepares with her guests. Maria loves connecting with people from around the world and welcomes travelers into her home to share her passion for authentic Azorean cuisine, fresh local ingredients, and the culinary traditions of São Miguel.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Discover the flavors and culinary traditions of São Miguel Island on a private Azorean cooking class with round-trip transfers from the Ponta Delgada cruise port included. Perfect for cruise travelers seeking an authentic Ponta Delgada shore excursion, this experience takes you to Maria's welcoming home in Fenais da Luz, a small village just 20 minutes from the port.

Begin with a welcome drink and snack before exploring Maria's home and garden, where she grows fruits and seasonal ingredients used in her cooking. Choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration, and learn to prepare a traditional Azorean meal using family recipes passed down from Maria's mother and grandmother. Your menu may include a traditional fish soup, followed by fish and meat dishes, and a homemade dessert such as rice pudding or passion fruit mousse made with fruit from Maria's garden when in season.

After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your homemade Azorean meal, served on Maria's vine-covered terrace in warmer months or in her cozy dining room during cooler weather. End with coffee, tea, homemade liqueurs or wine while learning more about São Miguel's food, culture and family traditions.

If you have a particular Azorean dish you'd love to learn, such as octopus, let Maria know when booking. She'll be happy to accommodate requests whenever possible. Please also indicate whether you prefer a hands-on class or cooking demonstration. After your experience, enjoy a convenient transfer back to the Ponta Delgada cruise port.

Notes: Your Ponta Delgada shore excursion includes a private cooking class, a glass of local wine or liqueur, and round-trip transfers from the Ponta Delgada cruise terminal.
On days when Maria is unavailable, her wonderful team members, Deborah or Andreia, will host your experience.

Round-Trip Transfers: If you choose this optional add-on, you will be picked up by private car from your hotel, accommodation, port, or other designated location and dropped off after your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Portuguese

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.
  • Traditional Azorean fish soup – Made with fresh, seasonal ingredients
  • Fish main course – Traditional Azorean preparation
  • Meat main course – Family recipe passed down through generations
  • Homemade dessert – Rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (with passion fruit from Maria's garden when in season)
  • Coffee or tea
  • Homemade liqueurs or wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
Maria was absolutely delightful and so friendly. She provided a great experience and delicious food! Her home and garden are amazing! Highly recommend this experience!
- leslie August 15, 2026
Cooking with Maria was such a great experience. She is very friendly/personable and we all cooked together to make traditional azorean food. I loved walking around her garden…her back yard is so beautiful. Definitely recommend scheduling this if you’re looking for an activity to do while in são miguel.
- Brittney July 15, 2025
Maria met us at the market and showed us things we never would have seen or understood. While we were buying produce, she would often say “we’ll pick that in my yard!” , and we did! We got back to Maria’s home and toured her extensive garden, the came in and got to work. We made a soup (Caldo Verde), a dish whose name I don’t remember, and a dessert (tarta de natas). Since this cooking class was just my husband and me, we definitely got personal treatment. The food was delicious and Maria was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone I know who travels to São Miguel. Thank you, Maria!
- Ron April 21, 2025
Learning about local foods and the culture. Maria shared a lot of information with us and was very responsive to all of our questions.
- Sandra May 14, 2024
Online Class Review
Our family spent an afternoon online with Maria in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Maria is personable, fun and full of interesting details and stories about the Azores. Our beef stew and roasted fish was delicious, with easy-to-find ingredients and clear instructions. I would never have thought to put a cinnamon stick in to simmer with beef stew, and now I don't think I'll make it any other way!
- Heather Patton May 15, 2020

Maria

$349 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $349 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Round-Trip Transfers
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $349 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Round-Trip Transfers
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm

Meet Maria

Maria grew up in a small village on São Miguel Island in the Azores, surrounded by a family of farmers. Her parents and grandparents cultivated everything from garlic and oranges to watermelons, exporting their produce to mainland Portugal. Growing up with fresh, seasonal ingredients inspired Maria's lifelong love of food and traditional Azorean cooking. After studying social work and working as a family therapist in mainland Portugal, Maria returned to São Miguel in search of a slower, more peaceful life. She settled in Fenais da Luz, a small village near Ponta Delgada, where she bought a home with an orchard. Today, she grows figs, apples, pears, almonds, oranges, and even tropical fruits such as papaya, guava, and lychee, thanks to the island's mild climate. Whenever possible, Maria incorporates ingredients harvested from her own garden and orchard into the traditional Azorean dishes she prepares with her guests. Maria loves connecting with people from around the world and welcomes travelers into her home to share her passion for authentic Azorean cuisine, fresh local ingredients, and the culinary traditions of São Miguel.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Discover the flavors and culinary traditions of São Miguel Island on a private Azorean cooking class with round-trip transfers from the Ponta Delgada cruise port included. Perfect for cruise travelers seeking an authentic Ponta Delgada shore excursion, this experience takes you to Maria's welcoming home in Fenais da Luz, a small village just 20 minutes from the port.

Begin with a welcome drink and snack before exploring Maria's home and garden, where she grows fruits and seasonal ingredients used in her cooking. Choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration, and learn to prepare a traditional Azorean meal using family recipes passed down from Maria's mother and grandmother. Your menu may include a traditional fish soup, followed by fish and meat dishes, and a homemade dessert such as rice pudding or passion fruit mousse made with fruit from Maria's garden when in season.

After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your homemade Azorean meal, served on Maria's vine-covered terrace in warmer months or in her cozy dining room during cooler weather. End with coffee, tea, homemade liqueurs or wine while learning more about São Miguel's food, culture and family traditions.

If you have a particular Azorean dish you'd love to learn, such as octopus, let Maria know when booking. She'll be happy to accommodate requests whenever possible. Please also indicate whether you prefer a hands-on class or cooking demonstration. After your experience, enjoy a convenient transfer back to the Ponta Delgada cruise port.

Notes: Your Ponta Delgada shore excursion includes a private cooking class, a glass of local wine or liqueur, and round-trip transfers from the Ponta Delgada cruise terminal.
On days when Maria is unavailable, her wonderful team members, Deborah or Andreia, will host your experience.

Round-Trip Transfers: If you choose this optional add-on, you will be picked up by private car from your hotel, accommodation, port, or other designated location and dropped off after your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Portuguese

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.
  • Traditional Azorean fish soup – Made with fresh, seasonal ingredients
  • Fish main course – Traditional Azorean preparation
  • Meat main course – Family recipe passed down through generations
  • Homemade dessert – Rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (with passion fruit from Maria's garden when in season)
  • Coffee or tea
  • Homemade liqueurs or wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
Maria was absolutely delightful and so friendly. She provided a great experience and delicious food! Her home and garden are amazing! Highly recommend this experience!
- leslie August 15, 2026
Cooking with Maria was such a great experience. She is very friendly/personable and we all cooked together to make traditional azorean food. I loved walking around her garden…her back yard is so beautiful. Definitely recommend scheduling this if you’re looking for an activity to do while in são miguel.
- Brittney July 15, 2025
Maria met us at the market and showed us things we never would have seen or understood. While we were buying produce, she would often say “we’ll pick that in my yard!” , and we did! We got back to Maria’s home and toured her extensive garden, the came in and got to work. We made a soup (Caldo Verde), a dish whose name I don’t remember, and a dessert (tarta de natas). Since this cooking class was just my husband and me, we definitely got personal treatment. The food was delicious and Maria was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone I know who travels to São Miguel. Thank you, Maria!
- Ron April 21, 2025
Learning about local foods and the culture. Maria shared a lot of information with us and was very responsive to all of our questions.
- Sandra May 14, 2024
Online Class Review
Our family spent an afternoon online with Maria in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Maria is personable, fun and full of interesting details and stories about the Azores. Our beef stew and roasted fish was delicious, with easy-to-find ingredients and clear instructions. I would never have thought to put a cinnamon stick in to simmer with beef stew, and now I don't think I'll make it any other way!
- Heather Patton May 15, 2020
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $349 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Round-Trip Transfers
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $349 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Round-Trip Transfers
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm
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. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. 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 round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    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.