Chamsi says that coming to Morocco can be overwhelming – in a good way! The sounds, the smells, and the local culture can be a mystery to visitors and meeting Chamsi is the perfect way to dig beneath the surface and connect with local life in a more personal and meaningful way. Chamsi is an Algerian-Canadian, married to a Moroccan. She and her husband have lived in Casablanca for nine years and in that time she has come to love the local way of life. Of course, food has been central to her experience! She learned the ins and outs of Moroccan cooking from the best home cook she knows – her mother in law, Lala Naima. They believe that true, authentic Moroccan food is best when prepared at home and she is excited to share her recipes with travelers.
Chamsi is a professional photographer and has a great sense of color and texture, which means her food is both delicious and pleasing to the eye! She lives in a beautiful, newly built home with a large kitchen that is perfect for entertaining. Chamsi has a young son who might be home during your visit.
Curious to know more? Read a recent journalist’s account of her experience with Chamsi in the article, "A Casablanca Lunch That Changed How I Think About Hospitality.
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:
(1-20 guests)
Join Chamsi and her family for an authentic Moroccan meal at their lovely home. Chamsi prepares typical home-style dishes that are seasonal and often feature Casablanca’s local seafood. You might try lamb tagine with seasonal vegetables or marinated and grilled seafood or Moroccan lemon chicken with olives or camel burger, couscous, tchackchouka (roasted bell pepper salad) or zaalouk (eggplant salad) with homemade bread. You will conclude your meal with a dessert such as milk pastilla or oranges with cinnamon or Moroccan cookies.
Chamsi can prepare a wonderful vegetarian meal, meat is halal or can also buy kosher meat, so be sure to ask if you have any special dietary requests.
Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) Join our immersive Moroccan cooking class in Casablanca and learn to prepare traditional dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Experience the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Morocco in a hands-on, fun environment. Learn to prepare a Moroccan meal with Chamsi in her beautiful open-space kitchen. Be ready to roll up your sleeves and help prepare an authentic Moroccan meal. You’ll cook together for about an hour before sitting down to enjoy the dishes you helped prepare. Some preparation for your meal might be done in advance.
Market visit:
(1-4 guests)
Meet Chamsi at her home in CIL, an upscale neighborhood in Casablanca. After a refreshing drink and getting to know each other, head out to visit the local market. Chamsi will help you navigate the market, which can be overwhelming to explore on your own. She’ll show you where she buys her fresh produce, take you to the meat market (not for the faint of heart but a true, local experience!), and show you the spices that are on offer. Chamsi can help you do a bit of shopping if you’re searching for a certain ingredient. Once your market experience is complete you’ll head back to Chamsi’s home by car to get cooking!
Please note that since Friday is a prayer day, the Friday morning market might not be as active as usual and some stalls might be closed. The evening Friday market tour is not offered.
Notes:
1. Family Friendly: This is a family friendly experience and children are welcome!
2. Large Groups: Planning a larger gathering? Chamsi can host groups of up to 20 guests. Please note that pricing may be slightly higher for larger groups, as additional furniture and staff may be arranged to create a seamless experience. Please email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com for a custom quote.
3. Important Notes for Experiences During Ramadan: Experience Ramadan in Morocco by breaking the fast with a local family and enjoying Iftar the traditional way. Join Chamsi at the table for a family oriented evening featuring authentic Moroccan dishes, homemade recipes, and cherished culinary traditions.
Rather than a formal dinner, expect a generous and convivial meal shared at sunset, where conversation, hospitality, and culture are as much a part of the experience as the food.
Please note that market tours during Ramadan will not include market tastings due to fasting hours. Instead, Chamsi will guide you through the market to select ingredients before returning to her home to continue the experience and enjoy the meal together.
Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic, Spanish (beginner)
This experience was definitely unforgettable! I'm so happy my boyfriend and I decided to try this out. Chamsi and her family are lovely hosts with such open hearts and kind spirits. Overall, we were surprised at the eloquent lifestyle of this area in Casablanca. It's definitely different than the rural parts of Morocco we saw in the rest of our trip! Chamsi and her family showed us a real, authentic perspective and were happy to answer any questions we had about Morocco.
It's hard to say what my favorite part of the experience was, but some of the highlights were definitely spending some nice quality time with locals and getting to see all the markets. I'm also very happy to bring home some new cooking ideas!
Cristi and Christians, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Wonderful time with Chamsi. She’s very engaging and we’ve found a new friend. We spent the morning shopping in a Casablanca market greeting various vendors - fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats, eggs, bakery and wine. We assisted in the preparation and enjoyed it immensely. Upon arriving at the drop off point for return to our cruise the shuttle attendee asked about our adventure. When we described it he said, “what a quality and fun day YOU has!” We couldn’t agree more! Thanks, Chamsi. Sam (I am) and Lara- sam and lara April 22, 2026
Wow, what an enriching experience! First and foremost, Chamsi, our hostess. Incredibly generous, she shared her passion for Moroccan culture with us through its cuisine. She introduced us to the kindness of the vendors during our shopping at the market and the quality and variety of their products. Together, we cooked and enjoyed our meal at her home while discovering Morocco…and her equally warm family :) Thank you, Chamsi, for your hospitality, your generosity, and your professionalism. You've inspired us to continue exploring Morocco.- patty April 09, 2026
We had such a fantastic experience cooking (and eating!) an authentic Moroccan meal at Chamsi's home in Casablanca. My wife and I were visiting from the US and we were looking for a real, genuine, home-cooked Moroccan meal and the cooking experience with Chamsi did not disappoint. We learned a ton from her and her family about Moroccan food, culture and customs, with a delicious meal on top of it.- greg January 26, 2026
What an amazing experience!! Chamsi is such a warm and welcoming person with some mad cooking skills. We started at the market and were able to select what we wanted to cook. The cooking was so fun and the conversation even better. Don't miss out on this one!! Thank you, Chamsi. It was so great to meet you and your family!- queen December 31, 2025
Book it. I was on an 11 stop/24 day cruise and this was MY FAVORITE experience. Chamsi, my host was beyond gracious. We went to an incredible market. There of course was a limit in what I could carry home! I'm still crying. But I did buy wonderful items. Then to this fancy French/Moroccan bakery! It was so good. THEN the main event! Cooking together at her beautiful home. Welcoming, relaxing & stimulating with conversation. We had a feast. Wedding chicken (so good - i have recipe) also a beautiful smoked eggplant & tomato spread. Plus plus plus other wonderful local accompaniments. Bravo & thank you so much Chamsi!!- Michell December 01, 2025
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