Meet
Rita
Rita, a passionate cook who learned the art from her mother, honed her skills through books and cooking courses. Her expertise in Goan cuisine has earned her recognition in various publications and media features. She has been mentioned in cookbooks such as Mighty Spice Express by John Gregory Smith and has appeared on television programs, including Twist of Taste on Fox Traveller, hosted by Michelin-starred chef Vikas Khanna. Additionally, she was featured in Zee TV’s documentary MAGGI Kitchen Journeys – Kuch Achha Pak Raha Hai.
Rita’s cooking classes have been highlighted in numerous newspapers, ranging from Le Figaro in France to leading Indian publications like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Hindu Lifestyle, Navhind Times, and Gomantak Times business edition etc.
She resides in a charming home near Goa’s Dabolim Airport. Her property boasts a beautiful outdoor space with a lush garden, where she has set up a dedicated studio kitchen for conducting her Goan cooking classes.
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:
(4-20 guests)
Meet Rita at her traditional home, near Dabolim airport, for an in-home dining experience in Goa. Upon arrival you can expect welcome traditional snack such as bebinca or date and walnut cake or home cooked savories and masala chai. Your home-cooked, traditional Goan meal might start with rissois de camarao (prawn puffs), followed by vindalo or cafreal, cabbage foogath (cabbage stir fry) and caldin (prawn curry with coconut milk) or goan prawn masala fry. For dessert you may enjoy bolo mimosa (coconut pie) or manganem (a traditional sweet dessert made with coconut milk). Enjoy an authentic cultural experience In Goa, as Rita and her husband, Mukund, share stories and insights about Goan cuisine. Leave with a happy heart and a full stomach, having indulged in a truly memorable, traditional Goan meal.
Cooking experience:
(2-20 guests)
Begin your traditional Goan cooking class in Goa with a refreshing welcome beverage and snack, while learning to prepare masala chai infused with aromatic spices and herbs. Before diving into your cooking class, Rita will introduce you to a vibrant selection of spices and herbs commonly used in Indian cuisine. In her colorful outdoor kitchen studio, you'll master the art of preparing 2-3 traditional Goan dishes. Afterward, sit down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve helped create, savoring the authentic flavors of Goa.
Market visit:
(4-20 guests)
Join Rita on a guided tour of a local market, where you'll explore a vibrant selection of fresh, regional Goan produce alongside goods from neighboring towns. The local farmers' market is a must-visit, offering a rich variety of fruits, vegetables, and spices, as well as traditional artifacts. During the tour, Rita or her team will guide you through the stalls, showcasing the diverse and flavorful ingredients that define Goan cuisine. After the market visit, you'll return to her home for an authentic, hands-on Goan cooking class (if you've selected that option), where you'll learn to transform these fresh ingredients into delicious traditional dishes.
Notes:
Rita lives a few minutes away from the Goa airport – an experience with her would make for a great stop on your way in or out of Goa.
Languages spoken:
English, Hindi, Portuguese, Konkani, Marathi
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
I highly recommend this excursion. Everything was very organized. The food was delicious.
Rita is very talented. You won’t regret signing up for this class.
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CIndy_S
January 21, 2024
Rita was a gracious cooking class host and taught my mum and I how to cook various local Goan dishes. Rita had a lovely area set up that we cooked in where she explained the dishes we were making as well as the food and spices we were cooking with. She gave us some Indian snacks to begin with to have with the masala chai we made, but don’t make the mistake of eating too much of these otherwise you will not be able to eat the other amazing food you will get to make! I highly recommend Rita’s cooking classes to everyone who comes to Goa. It’s a lovely way to understand how Goan food is made and an insight into how to make it.
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maggie
March 07, 2023
Wonderful experience, do this while you’re in Goa! My mom and I took Rita’s class and it was the highlight of our entire trip, she is a wealth of knowledge about cooking and about Goa. She very generously answered our many questions about Indian culture and cuisine. The market tour was very interesting, a lovely market. She helped us navigate the market and taught us all about the produce offered. I definitely would not have gone to a market alone but with Rita it was a breeze! Once we got back to her impressive, clean, and efficient kitchen, she kept us busy with cooking and explaining things. The reward of a tasty meal after our hard work was wonderful!
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meredith
January 18, 2023
Rita and Mukund are wonderful hosts, very kind, patient and informative. They welcomed us with a homemade chai tea which I will be making upon my return home. We had an incredible day with breakfast, a market visit and lunch which we all made together. Highly recommended for visitors to Goa to experience the food and warmth of the Goan people!
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640Michael
December 18, 2022
We watched the chef and Amol cook 4 dishes and then we ate them on the lovely terrace. Very good food and a lovely environment
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guygilpi
January 08, 2020
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