Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Monica

Santarem, Portugal

USD
$32-$48 per person

Fresh and original Portuguese recipes in beautiful Santarem

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

Meet Monica

Monica was born in Santarém and started cooking at a very young age. The daughter of two great cooks, she remembers how her parents used to love hosting many dinner parties throughout the year, inviting family and friends over. Hosting people and sharing a table full of delicious local dishes is clearly a part of her family's DNA. Monica loves cooking lighter, fresh versions of traditional Portuguese dishes.

A relaxed, easy-to-talk-to individual, Monica loves sharing interesting anecdotes from her food and travel experiences in exotic destinations such as Iran. Outside work, cooking and travel, Monica has many other hobbies: she loves listening to music, practicing pilates, biking, and visiting museums. Monica is thrilled to be a Traveling Spoon host so she can combine her passions for food, new cultures, and getting to know more of the world through her guests' life experiences and perspectives.

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: (1-5 guests) As Monica warmly welcomes you into her house, you will instantly realize how much Monica loves the Traveling Spoon experience. Her apartment is decorated in a warm but minimalist way, with simple color schemes and not too much clutter. You will also find some nice details in the light fittings, small paintings of Lisbon on the wall, and a small selection of family photos. Monica will receive you with a perfectly set table filled with attractive plates and cookware.

Start your evening with a delicious combination of juicy melon wrapped in cured ham. Your host will also offer bread with a special yogurt dip flavored with spices and seeds, a recipe which she learned while traveling to Iran. Throughout the dinner you can also enjoy the option of a local wine Monica will select to perfectly blend with your meal.

When you have finished your appetizers, enjoy one of Monica's starter specialties such as her light and fresh endives served with blue cheese, pumpkin seeds and a balsamic vinegar sauce. Your next course will be a main such roasted chicken drumsticks marinated in a combination of soy sauce, Thai fish sauce and honey that renders the meat extraordinarily tender and moist. For your side you might enjoy turmeric rice that has been cooked with star anise and cinnamon bark and topped with fresh herbs and cashew nuts. There will also be seasonal salad such as greens with raspberries and pomegranate dressed in a light vinaigrette.

For dessert, enjoy one of Monica's signature dishes like her delicious lemongrass panna cotta, and then end your meal with a selection of espresso and chocolates.

Notes: During your booking please indicate any if you have any food allergies. If you select alcohol as an add-on please indicate if you prefer beer, white wine, or red wine. Unfortunately this experience is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Bfc8ed68 8f32 48e9 af38 e56f7a5ab416

Monica

$32-$48 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+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $48 $40 $32
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $48 $40 $32
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 8:00pm-10:00pm

Meet Monica

Monica was born in Santarém and started cooking at a very young age. The daughter of two great cooks, she remembers how her parents used to love hosting many dinner parties throughout the year, inviting family and friends over. Hosting people and sharing a table full of delicious local dishes is clearly a part of her family's DNA. Monica loves cooking lighter, fresh versions of traditional Portuguese dishes.

A relaxed, easy-to-talk-to individual, Monica loves sharing interesting anecdotes from her food and travel experiences in exotic destinations such as Iran. Outside work, cooking and travel, Monica has many other hobbies: she loves listening to music, practicing pilates, biking, and visiting museums. Monica is thrilled to be a Traveling Spoon host so she can combine her passions for food, new cultures, and getting to know more of the world through her guests' life experiences and perspectives.

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: (1-5 guests) As Monica warmly welcomes you into her house, you will instantly realize how much Monica loves the Traveling Spoon experience. Her apartment is decorated in a warm but minimalist way, with simple color schemes and not too much clutter. You will also find some nice details in the light fittings, small paintings of Lisbon on the wall, and a small selection of family photos. Monica will receive you with a perfectly set table filled with attractive plates and cookware.

Start your evening with a delicious combination of juicy melon wrapped in cured ham. Your host will also offer bread with a special yogurt dip flavored with spices and seeds, a recipe which she learned while traveling to Iran. Throughout the dinner you can also enjoy the option of a local wine Monica will select to perfectly blend with your meal.

When you have finished your appetizers, enjoy one of Monica's starter specialties such as her light and fresh endives served with blue cheese, pumpkin seeds and a balsamic vinegar sauce. Your next course will be a main such roasted chicken drumsticks marinated in a combination of soy sauce, Thai fish sauce and honey that renders the meat extraordinarily tender and moist. For your side you might enjoy turmeric rice that has been cooked with star anise and cinnamon bark and topped with fresh herbs and cashew nuts. There will also be seasonal salad such as greens with raspberries and pomegranate dressed in a light vinaigrette.

For dessert, enjoy one of Monica's signature dishes like her delicious lemongrass panna cotta, and then end your meal with a selection of espresso and chocolates.

Notes: During your booking please indicate any if you have any food allergies. If you select alcohol as an add-on please indicate if you prefer beer, white wine, or red wine. Unfortunately this experience is not suitable for children under 12 years of age.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $48 $40 $32
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $48 $40 $32
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 8:00pm-10:00pm
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 3% 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.