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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Tania (Outdoor)

Beirut, Lebanon

USD
$88-$110 per person

Outdoor BBQ and Lebanese mezze experience in a family garden

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

Meet Tania (Outdoor)

Tania is an agronomist and food safety specialist who loves singing, playing the piano, and traveling. Her parents will also be part of your Traveling Spoon experience and will help with the cooking and hosting. Her father is a former butcher and is very serious about his meats! Now he is retired and grows fruits and vegetables in their family garden on the outskirts of Beirut. He also enjoys making his own arak (the Lebanese national alcoholic drink made from grapes and anise seeds). Most of the produce for the home comes from the garden and is local, fresh and organic. Tania’s mother is a home cook who has been cooking traditional meals for the family all her life using family recipes. They are a family who enjoys gardening, talking about food, cooking and eating together.

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: (1-12 guests) Meet Tania at her home, and drive together for 15 minutes to get to her family garden. The garden is where they grow their own fruit trees and vegetables, along the river side. Start your experience with a tour of the family garden, Tania will explain the different plants they grow and how those ingredients are traditionally used in Lebanese cooking. Weather permitting and based on availability, you can also pick fresh ingredients from the garden for your cooking class.

Join Tania and her mother for a barbeque and Lebanese mezze experience, where everything is prepared the traditional way without the use of technology. Alternatively, you can also choose a traditional bread and pie making class. Both cooking experiences will last about 2 hours and you will learn to make 2-3 authentic Lebanese dishes from scratch.

After you’ve cooked together, enjoy your traditional Lebanese meal in a beautiful outdoor setting, amidst nature and views of the river. Your meal might include dishes such as tabbouleh (salad), hummus (a dip made with mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic), baba ganoush (an appetizer of mashed cooked eggplant and various seasonings) and pies or barbequed meat. Enjoy learning about the history, culture and culinary traditions of Lebanon, as you share this homecooked meal you helped prepare.

Notes: Please note that on days Tania is not available, her mother or brothers will host you. They are equally passionate about food! Please note that Tania's car is not wheelchair accessible. Also, as this experience takes place outdoors, it is weather permitting, in case of bad weather the experience will happen in Tania's home.

Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic

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.
  • Please choose one menu from the below:
  • Menu 1: Tabouleh, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj and Saj Pies
  • Menu 2: Tabouleh, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj and Barbeque
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Tania was the loveliest host and knows everything about every dish and product. We had a lovely lunch with the whole family and some friends. The abu el hessen family are nice, sweet and very welcoming, also they are just good entertainers. We had a spread of mezze with tabouleh and 2 kinds of raw meat, everything was delicious and lovely. Assaad, Tania’s brother even did his own home made garlic dip to have with the raw meat, all accompanied by their home made arak. The main course was moulokhiyeh stew with rice, toasted bread and onion and vinegar sauce. It was all very tasty and fresh and well balanced.

May , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.97 (76)
This experience exceeded all my expectations by a mile. Amazing family which allowed me into their home, participation in all food preparation and having food together afterwards as well as hearing stories , all combined, were unforgettable and priceless. Food couldn’t be any better to say the least One of a kind culinary experience with the utmost amicable and generous people anyone can get .
- dmitri February 14, 2026
Easily one of the best booking experience in Beirut. I was welcomed in as a family member and treated with energy and respect from start to finish. Everything we ate was homemade and from private garden. I ate with the whole family and talked for hours. Everyone had a story to tell and I wanted to hear it all as a local. Thank you for the hospitality. Merci. This was 10/10 experience.
- arman January 04, 2026
Absolutory amazing. Tania and her family were incredibly welcoming. The set up is great, and personal. You can get involved as much as you like, and your culinary comfort level. What a wonderful experience. I learnt a huge amount, and had fun doing it! I highly recommend Tania’s Cooking Experience. A wonderful day, I didn’t want to end! Thank you!
- shawn June 17, 2023
Best experience in Beirut to be welcomed into a family home. It was cooking, culture, family and warmth all in one experience. Tania and her family are amazing and made me feel so welcome. Was the best part of visiting Beirut and Lebanon. Don’t hesitate. Just book!
- Travel12 May 13, 2023
If you want to have an authentic family cooking experience, then this is the place to be. We had a wonderful time with Tania and her mom Joelle (the cooking machine :) ). We not only learned how to make an authentic homecooked Lebanese meal, we also got insides on the Lebanese culture and the family life. We can highly recommend it! Thank you again Tania and Joelle for letting us have this amazing experience!
- MiriErfi March 26, 2023
Read More

Tania (Outdoor)

$88-$110 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $110 $96 $88
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $110 $96 $88
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Tania (Outdoor)

Tania is an agronomist and food safety specialist who loves singing, playing the piano, and traveling. Her parents will also be part of your Traveling Spoon experience and will help with the cooking and hosting. Her father is a former butcher and is very serious about his meats! Now he is retired and grows fruits and vegetables in their family garden on the outskirts of Beirut. He also enjoys making his own arak (the Lebanese national alcoholic drink made from grapes and anise seeds). Most of the produce for the home comes from the garden and is local, fresh and organic. Tania’s mother is a home cook who has been cooking traditional meals for the family all her life using family recipes. They are a family who enjoys gardening, talking about food, cooking and eating together.

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: (1-12 guests) Meet Tania at her home, and drive together for 15 minutes to get to her family garden. The garden is where they grow their own fruit trees and vegetables, along the river side. Start your experience with a tour of the family garden, Tania will explain the different plants they grow and how those ingredients are traditionally used in Lebanese cooking. Weather permitting and based on availability, you can also pick fresh ingredients from the garden for your cooking class.

Join Tania and her mother for a barbeque and Lebanese mezze experience, where everything is prepared the traditional way without the use of technology. Alternatively, you can also choose a traditional bread and pie making class. Both cooking experiences will last about 2 hours and you will learn to make 2-3 authentic Lebanese dishes from scratch.

After you’ve cooked together, enjoy your traditional Lebanese meal in a beautiful outdoor setting, amidst nature and views of the river. Your meal might include dishes such as tabbouleh (salad), hummus (a dip made with mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic), baba ganoush (an appetizer of mashed cooked eggplant and various seasonings) and pies or barbequed meat. Enjoy learning about the history, culture and culinary traditions of Lebanon, as you share this homecooked meal you helped prepare.

Notes: Please note that on days Tania is not available, her mother or brothers will host you. They are equally passionate about food! Please note that Tania's car is not wheelchair accessible. Also, as this experience takes place outdoors, it is weather permitting, in case of bad weather the experience will happen in Tania's home.

Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic

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.
  • Please choose one menu from the below:
  • Menu 1: Tabouleh, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj and Saj Pies
  • Menu 2: Tabouleh, Hummus, Baba Ghanouj and Barbeque
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Tania was the loveliest host and knows everything about every dish and product. We had a lovely lunch with the whole family and some friends. The abu el hessen family are nice, sweet and very welcoming, also they are just good entertainers. We had a spread of mezze with tabouleh and 2 kinds of raw meat, everything was delicious and lovely. Assaad, Tania’s brother even did his own home made garlic dip to have with the raw meat, all accompanied by their home made arak. The main course was moulokhiyeh stew with rice, toasted bread and onion and vinegar sauce. It was all very tasty and fresh and well balanced.

May , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.97 (76)
This experience exceeded all my expectations by a mile. Amazing family which allowed me into their home, participation in all food preparation and having food together afterwards as well as hearing stories , all combined, were unforgettable and priceless. Food couldn’t be any better to say the least One of a kind culinary experience with the utmost amicable and generous people anyone can get .
- dmitri February 14, 2026
Easily one of the best booking experience in Beirut. I was welcomed in as a family member and treated with energy and respect from start to finish. Everything we ate was homemade and from private garden. I ate with the whole family and talked for hours. Everyone had a story to tell and I wanted to hear it all as a local. Thank you for the hospitality. Merci. This was 10/10 experience.
- arman January 04, 2026
Absolutory amazing. Tania and her family were incredibly welcoming. The set up is great, and personal. You can get involved as much as you like, and your culinary comfort level. What a wonderful experience. I learnt a huge amount, and had fun doing it! I highly recommend Tania’s Cooking Experience. A wonderful day, I didn’t want to end! Thank you!
- shawn June 17, 2023
Best experience in Beirut to be welcomed into a family home. It was cooking, culture, family and warmth all in one experience. Tania and her family are amazing and made me feel so welcome. Was the best part of visiting Beirut and Lebanon. Don’t hesitate. Just book!
- Travel12 May 13, 2023
If you want to have an authentic family cooking experience, then this is the place to be. We had a wonderful time with Tania and her mom Joelle (the cooking machine :) ). We not only learned how to make an authentic homecooked Lebanese meal, we also got insides on the Lebanese culture and the family life. We can highly recommend it! Thank you again Tania and Joelle for letting us have this amazing experience!
- MiriErfi March 26, 2023
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $110 $96 $88
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $110 $96 $88
Alcohol
 $8 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm
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 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. 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.