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Host: Elena

Saint Petersburg, Russia

USD
$76-$118 per person

Russian Cuisine in a traditional St. Petersburg Home

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

Meet Elena

Elena lives in the historical city center of St. Petersburg in a beautiful vintage apartment. Elena, a Russan-English translator, and her husband, an author, are incredible cooks and have tons of experience hosting people from all around the world. Elena learned to cook Russian cuisine from her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law and will be preparing traditional Russian dishes to share with guests. Elena and her husband are open-minded people and avid world travelers who love meeting people from around the world and opening their home and table to share the rich history of Russia over a wonderful meal. Join Elena for a memorable meal and Russian cooking class in St. Petersburg!

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: (2-10 guests) Join your host Elena at her apartment in St. Petersburg for a traditional Russian meal. Elena focuses on the traditional dishes and flavors of her hometown. After a welcome drink sit down in their 19th-century dining room for your Russian homecooked meal. Your meal will feature an explosion of flavors, like Elena's favorite Russian salad, a traditional Russian soup called borscht, and comforting chicken croquets. For dessert you might enjoy some mouth-watering Mazurkas, a delicious walnut and raisin biscuit, or a seasonal rhubarb pie. End your meal with a selection of coffee and tea.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Learn to cook traditional Russian dishes in this St. Petersburg cooking class in a local home. Elena will teach you the secrets of Russian cuisine and you will learn to make traditional and family recipes. Start with a welcome drink and snack, and then begin your cooking lesson where you will learn to make two Russian dishes such as borscht, a classic soup with beetroot, rich meat broth, and vegetables. You will also learn to create a traditional cabbage pie with a flaky puff pastry and thinly-sliced cabbage. After your cooking class, sit down in Elena's 19th century dining room for your Russian meal. Additional dishes that Elena will have prepared separately will also be available. End your meal with a sweet dessert such as a seasonal rhubarb pie and a selection of coffee and tea.

Notes: Elena can offer lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals on request. Please note that if you pay for alcohol additionally, here are the details for the alcohol tasting menu: a glass of homemade liquor infused with herbs and fruit, tasting of two kinds of vodka and a sweet liquor with fruit or berry flavor. The alcohol tasting is only available with the cooking + meal option.

Languages spoken: English

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.
  • Russian Salad: boiled potatoes, pickled cucumbers, boiled chicken meat, green peas, onions with mayo dressing
  • Borscht: Rich soup based on meat broth (beef and/or pork or chicken) with beet roots, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, chunks of meat, with herbal spices that gives mouthwatering flavor; served with sour cream and green onions. Garlic - optional.
  • Chicken crocquets: crocquets of small pieces of chicken meat.
  • Cabbage pie: Puff paste roll stuffed with thinly shredded cabbage and boiled eggs.
  • Small shell-shaped biscuits: Spongy biscuits
  • Mazurkas: eggs, sugar, flour and a lot of raisins and walnuts!
  • Optional beverage tasting menu

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Saint Petersburg Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
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Elena

$76-$118 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
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $76 $76
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
Alcohol
 $120 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $76 $76
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
Alcohol
 $120 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-11:00am 5:00pm-5:00pm

Meet Elena

Elena lives in the historical city center of St. Petersburg in a beautiful vintage apartment. Elena, a Russan-English translator, and her husband, an author, are incredible cooks and have tons of experience hosting people from all around the world. Elena learned to cook Russian cuisine from her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law and will be preparing traditional Russian dishes to share with guests. Elena and her husband are open-minded people and avid world travelers who love meeting people from around the world and opening their home and table to share the rich history of Russia over a wonderful meal. Join Elena for a memorable meal and Russian cooking class in St. Petersburg!

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: (2-10 guests) Join your host Elena at her apartment in St. Petersburg for a traditional Russian meal. Elena focuses on the traditional dishes and flavors of her hometown. After a welcome drink sit down in their 19th-century dining room for your Russian homecooked meal. Your meal will feature an explosion of flavors, like Elena's favorite Russian salad, a traditional Russian soup called borscht, and comforting chicken croquets. For dessert you might enjoy some mouth-watering Mazurkas, a delicious walnut and raisin biscuit, or a seasonal rhubarb pie. End your meal with a selection of coffee and tea.

Cooking experience: (2-10 guests) Learn to cook traditional Russian dishes in this St. Petersburg cooking class in a local home. Elena will teach you the secrets of Russian cuisine and you will learn to make traditional and family recipes. Start with a welcome drink and snack, and then begin your cooking lesson where you will learn to make two Russian dishes such as borscht, a classic soup with beetroot, rich meat broth, and vegetables. You will also learn to create a traditional cabbage pie with a flaky puff pastry and thinly-sliced cabbage. After your cooking class, sit down in Elena's 19th century dining room for your Russian meal. Additional dishes that Elena will have prepared separately will also be available. End your meal with a sweet dessert such as a seasonal rhubarb pie and a selection of coffee and tea.

Notes: Elena can offer lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals on request. Please note that if you pay for alcohol additionally, here are the details for the alcohol tasting menu: a glass of homemade liquor infused with herbs and fruit, tasting of two kinds of vodka and a sweet liquor with fruit or berry flavor. The alcohol tasting is only available with the cooking + meal option.

Languages spoken: English

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.
  • Russian Salad: boiled potatoes, pickled cucumbers, boiled chicken meat, green peas, onions with mayo dressing
  • Borscht: Rich soup based on meat broth (beef and/or pork or chicken) with beet roots, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, chunks of meat, with herbal spices that gives mouthwatering flavor; served with sour cream and green onions. Garlic - optional.
  • Chicken crocquets: crocquets of small pieces of chicken meat.
  • Cabbage pie: Puff paste roll stuffed with thinly shredded cabbage and boiled eggs.
  • Small shell-shaped biscuits: Spongy biscuits
  • Mazurkas: eggs, sugar, flour and a lot of raisins and walnuts!
  • Optional beverage tasting menu

Traveler reviews

This is a new host who does not yet have any reviews. You can see reviews of our other Saint Petersburg Traveling Spoon experiences on TripAdvisor:
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $76 $76
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
Alcohol
 $120 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $76 $76
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $118 $118
Alcohol
 $120 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-11:00am 5:00pm-5:00pm
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.