Meet
Jorge and Isabel
Jorge and Isabel are passionate cooks in Porto who come from families with a love for food and cooking. Jorge’s father is a retired master pastry chef, and both Jorge and Isabel have spent their lives working in kitchens and restaurants, developing a deep appreciation for traditional Portuguese cuisine. Today, they welcome travelers into their home in the heart of Porto to share their culinary knowledge, family recipes, and love for Portuguese food. Join this welcoming couple for a private meal or hands-on cooking class and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal with local wine while sharing stories around the table. For Jorge and Isabel, cooking is about more than food—it's about bringing people together and sharing Portuguese culture through authentic, home-cooked meals.
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:
(1-8 guests)
Enjoy a traditional Portuguese meal in Jorge and Isabel's simple apartment in Porto. During your in-home dining experience, you'll be served an appetizer, a main course, and the iconic Portuguese dessert, Pastel de Nata. Your meal may include dishes such as codfish cakes, caldo verde (Portuguese kale soup), or roasted chorizo as an appetizer, followed by roasted pork knuckle, seafood rice, or oven-baked octopus with olive oil and garlic as the main course. End your meal with a delicious Pastel de Nata, accompanied by 1–2 glasses of local wine.
Cooking experience:
(1-8 guests)
Join Jorge and Isabel in their charming Porto apartment, complete with a wooden porch and a beautiful terrace filled with over 200 potted plants, for a private, hands-on Portuguese cooking class. Learn to prepare a traditional three-course Portuguese meal from scratch, using local ingredients and recipes inspired by their family's culinary traditions. Start by making a classic Portuguese appetizer, such as bolinhos de bacalhau (codfish cakes), caldo verde (traditional Portuguese kale soup), or roasted chorizo. For the main course, you might prepare roasted pork knuckle, flavorful Portuguese seafood rice, a traditional codfish dish, or oven-baked octopus with olive oil and garlic. Finish by learning to make pastel de nata, Portugal's famous custard tart. As you cook, enjoy a drink and light snacks while Jorge and Isabel guide you through each recipe, sharing cooking tips and stories about Portuguese food and culture. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the delicious three-course meal you helped prepare. More than just a cooking class, this intimate culinary experience in Porto offers a wonderful opportunity to discover authentic Portuguese cuisine, learn traditional family recipes, and connect with locals in their home.
Market visit:
(1-8 guests)
Begin your private Porto market tour with Jorge at Mercado Municipal de Matosinhos, a traditional local market just outside Porto. Explore the colorful stalls of this two-level market, where you'll find fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables, and meats upstairs, and a bustling fish market downstairs, known for its selection of fresh seafood. As you explore the market with Jorge, meet local vendors, discover traditional Portuguese ingredients, and shop for fresh, seasonal produce to use in your cooking class. Learn about local food traditions and how the Portuguese select ingredients for their everyday meals. After your market tour, enjoy a scenic 20-minute drive to Jorge and Isabel's home in Porto, where you'll join them for a hands-on cooking class. Together, prepare a traditional three-course Portuguese meal from scratch, using the ingredients you selected at the market. After cooking, sit down to enjoy the delicious homemade meal you helped prepare. This private market-to-table cooking experience offers a unique opportunity to explore a traditional Portuguese food market, learn authentic local recipes, and connect with locals over a home-cooked meal.
Notes:
1. Local wine is included in the cost of the experience.
2. If you choose the market tour option, please note that Jorge's car can only accommodate 3 people. For groups of 3+ you need to arrange your own taxi from the market to Jorge's home.
3. For the 4:00 PM tour, instead of the market visit, the host shall offer a visit to two excellent local street shops. These are authentic, high-quality local businesses that provide a great alternative experience.
Languages spoken:
Portuguese, English, French
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
We had a truly unforgettable experience, made all the more special by our kind, gracious, and wonderfully welcoming hosts, who opened their lovely home—and their hearts—to us. From the market visit to the cooking class, every moment felt thoughtful, personal, and filled with genuine warmth. We were touched by the care and attention they gave us, as well as the generous and absolutely delicious lunch we shared together. By the end of the day, it no longer felt like we were guests on a tour; it felt as though we were spending precious time with dear friends and family. This is a beautiful experience we will remember with great affection.
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arya
October 14, 2026
This experience with Jorge and Isabel and Miguel, (their bright, animated, charming son) was nothing short of dreamy! It will be indelibly marked in our minds forever. The setting, the family, the gentle way of teaching us, the laughter and the food, was so beautiful.
From the markets to table, the produce and cooking experience was exceptional, making - Caldo Verde, Pica-Pau, pork cheeks with potatoes and oyster mushrooms, and of course - the best Pastel de Natas we’ve had in Portugal!!
The conversation was just like old family friends, and the cooking, wine and ambiance was second to none.
Will be recommending this experience to everyone!
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fatima
August 15, 2026
It was at their apartment and they had a balcony that was really nice.
You have to recommend that to anybody and everybody that goes to Porto.
If they are looking for a very local experience it’s perfect.
He even offered to drive us back so we didn’t have to uber!
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alijah
August 05, 2026
If you're considering taking this cooking class, don't hesitate—it's one of the most memorable experiences we had in Portugal. From the moment we walked through the door, Jorge, Isabel and their son Miguel welcomed us into their home with such genuine warmth and kindness that we immediately felt comfortable. It never felt like a tourist activity; it felt like being invited into the home of old friends. Not only did we learn how to prepare several traditional Portuguese dishes, but we also learned about the stories, traditions, and culture behind the food.
Isabel and her husband were incredibly patient, encouraged us every step of the way, and happily answered every question we had. Their passion for Portuguese cuisine and hospitality made the entire experience so engaging in a very calm setting on their terrace amidst the beautiful flowers in their garden. The food was absolutely delicious, from the savoury dishes to the incredible Pastéis de Nata. We're so excited to recreate these recipes back home in Toronto and share them with our friends and family.
What stood out most, though, was sitting down together at the end of the class to enjoy the meal we had all prepared. It didn't feel like the end of a cooking lesson, it felt like a family gathering. Sharing stories, laughing together, and enjoying homemade food around the table is something we'll always remember.
Thank you, Jorge and your wonderful family, for opening your home and your hearts to us. Your generosity, hospitality, and warmth made this one of the highlights of our first trip abroad. We left with full stomachs, new skills, wonderful memories, and the feeling that we had made new friends in Portugal. We truly hope to return one day with family and friends!
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taheer
July 02, 2026
The hosts, Jorge, Isabel and Miguel were very welcoming. Their apartment balcony was large and where we cooked our meal. Everything was ready and organized. A very good meal of cheese and sardines for appetizers, shrimp and Torbut fish with market vegetables and excellent wine. We made pastel de nata for dessert. Scrumptious!
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carmen
June 27, 2026
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