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Host: Somaya

Cairo, Egypt

USD
$65-$89 per person

Authentic Cairo Cooking Class with a Local Family

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

Meet Somaya

Somaya, a graduate from Cairo university lives in old Cairo with her mother and siblings, in a modest home. She worked at a travel company for a few years and realized her love for meeting people and sharing with them the rich culture and history of Egypt. She now hosts travelers at home for dinners and cooking classes so that she can share her Egyptian cuisine and culinary traditions, and is always thrilled to see the joy on travelers faces when they try her mother's food. Somaya's mother's food is loved by their neighbors, friends and family, and is something that shouldn't be missed when in Cairo! You can expect a delicious, homecooked Egyptian meal, insights into the local culture and culinary traditions, along with memorable conversations.

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: (1-8 guests) Somaya and her mother are very passionate about cooking traditional Egyptian meals, dishes that are usually cooked and eaten at home, from recipes passed down through generations in her mother's family. A few dishes from family recipes that you can expect to try at Somaya's home are sambusa (triangular pastries) or shorbet lesan el asfour (Egyptian noodle soup), mahashi (a popular Iftar dish of vegetables stuffed with spiced meat and rice and simmered in a tomato sauce) and sahlab (milk pudding) for dessert.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Somaya learned to cook from her mother, who learned to cook from her mother. So all the recipes you will be cooking in this Egyptian cooking class comes from Somaya's grandmother kitchen -cherished family recipes. Start the class with an introduction to the aromatic and flavorful spices used in Egyptian cooking. Then for your hands-on cooking class, learn how to cook two dishes from scratch - either an appetizer + main course or a main course + dessert. Learn to make mahashi (vegetables stuffed with meat and rice) and shorbet lesan el asfour (Egyptian noodle soup) or sahlab (milk pudding). While you cook, Somaya will introduce you to local ingredients, share stories and tips and tricks to make a delicious Egyptian meal. After cooking, sit down with the family to share the meal you helped prepare.

Instead of the traditional meal, if you'd like to try Egyptian breakfast foods, Somaya can teach you to make falafel or ta'ameya from scratch - blend all the ingredients, shape them into circles and deep fry it. Your will also learn to cook Egyptian shakshuka - combine eggs and fava beans, with garlic, green bell pepper, fresh tomato, all cooked in organic Egyptian ghee from the countryside. Please let Somaya know your preference when booking your Cairo cooking experience online.

Notes:
1. Somaya can offer a vegetarian meal on request. So please let her know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies while booking your Cairo cooking class online.
2. Please note the menu is seasonal and will vary depending on availability of ingredients. If you wish to cook or eat anything in particular please let Somaya know in advance, or else she will choose a menu for you.

Languages spoken: English, Arabic and Turkish

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 option from the below options
  • Traditional menu: Egyptian noodle soup or Grits soup + Mahashi (vegetables stuffed with meat and rice) or Koshary (a dish that combines pasta, rice, lentils) or Egyptian chicken potato pan or Kofta (kebab) + Sahlab (milk pudding) or Rice pudding
  • Breakfast menu: Falafel + Shakshuka + Black honey mixed with tahini + Mint tea + Egyptian freshly baked bread
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Somaya’s family home and loved meeting the family! We loved spending time with them - they were so hospitable and welcoming. They all speak good English (except for her mother who speaks basic English but with the support of her kids communicates very easily). The food was great and we enjoyed the cooking experience - they provide such an amazing cultural experience. One thing to note is that there is no AC in the living room and kitchen so dress in light clothing during the hot months.

Aziz and Mahmoud, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (54)
I enjoyed an evening exchanging stories, learning how to use delicious local ingredients and a delicious meal with Somaya and her sisters. They generously shared their home, talents and enthusiasm for egyptian culture! I often participate in a cooking class when traveling—it is a great way to visit with local people and fellow travelers. Somaya’s class and dinner was tops!
- mary May 12, 2026
Our family of four had been genuinely exited about cooking with Somaya and experiencing cuisine firsthand, and from the very first moment, we felt completely at home. Somaya welcomed us with open arms, together with her two wonderful sisters, Sohalia and Maram. Their warmth, smiles and kindness immediately made us feel like part of the family. Before we even started cooking, we all sat together and enjoined the most delicious home made cold red rose drink - just what we needed to relax and recharged after our overnight flight. As we talked, the sisters shared stories about their family and live, past, present and future. It felt so natural and heartfelt, like sitting around the table with old friends rather than people we had just met. Then came the moment we were all waiting for and we headed to the kitchen and started cooking! I asked Somaya in advance if she could show us the Egyptian version of shakshuka, and we were amazed. It turned out to be completely different from Mediterranean versions we knew, and delicious. Only later did we learn that the sisters actually von a Travel Spoon competition for their Egyptian shakshuka - which came as no surprise after testing it. The entire experience was filled with laugher, stories, learning, and amazing food, The two hours passes far too quickly, and suddenly it was time to say goodbye, even though none of us really wanted to. We truly hope to stay in touch with these three incredible women. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough to anyone who wants not only to cook wonderful food, but also connect with beautiful people and learn Egyptian culture in the most genuine and joyful way. An unforgettable memory for our family! Thank you Somaya, Sohaila and Maram! Best of luck!
- barry April 19, 2026
We were welcomed to Somaya, Sohaila and their mother's apartment in central Cairo with a hibiscus drink and had a lovely chat and laugh with them before being shown round their apartment and having a delicious Koshary meal and mint tea. We didn't have time to visit the market with them, or help with the cooking, but have got the recipe and lots of happy memories. They are all very happy ladies and it was an honour to be with them for those
- jane February 27, 2026
This cooking class was absolutely wonderful. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed into a beautiful home and treated like family. The experience was hands-on, intimate, and thoughtfully put together. What truly stood out was the level of care and hospitality. They went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable and enjoying myself. It wasn’t just a class — they welcomed me into their home and shared a truly meaningful cultural experience with me. Spending time with all three of them was such a joy. I’m so grateful for the kindness, flexibility, and warmth they showed. I would recommend this experience to anyone visiting, and I will absolutely be returning whenever I’m back in Cairo. I feel like I have made friends for life!
- dersera February 08, 2026
Somaya, Sohayla (Hope I spelled it right🙏🏽; forgive me if not), and Mom were a major highlight of our trip. My heart is full of love and laughter after our visit. The experience is definitely a must in Cairo and I couldn’t be happier that I and my sister had this time with them.
- candance February 05, 2026
Read More

Somaya

$65-$89 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
 $73 $65 $65
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $89 $73 Not offered
Transportation
 $105 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $73 $65 $65
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $89 $73 Not offered
Transportation
 $105 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 2:00pm-4:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Somaya

Somaya, a graduate from Cairo university lives in old Cairo with her mother and siblings, in a modest home. She worked at a travel company for a few years and realized her love for meeting people and sharing with them the rich culture and history of Egypt. She now hosts travelers at home for dinners and cooking classes so that she can share her Egyptian cuisine and culinary traditions, and is always thrilled to see the joy on travelers faces when they try her mother's food. Somaya's mother's food is loved by their neighbors, friends and family, and is something that shouldn't be missed when in Cairo! You can expect a delicious, homecooked Egyptian meal, insights into the local culture and culinary traditions, along with memorable conversations.

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: (1-8 guests) Somaya and her mother are very passionate about cooking traditional Egyptian meals, dishes that are usually cooked and eaten at home, from recipes passed down through generations in her mother's family. A few dishes from family recipes that you can expect to try at Somaya's home are sambusa (triangular pastries) or shorbet lesan el asfour (Egyptian noodle soup), mahashi (a popular Iftar dish of vegetables stuffed with spiced meat and rice and simmered in a tomato sauce) and sahlab (milk pudding) for dessert.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Somaya learned to cook from her mother, who learned to cook from her mother. So all the recipes you will be cooking in this Egyptian cooking class comes from Somaya's grandmother kitchen -cherished family recipes. Start the class with an introduction to the aromatic and flavorful spices used in Egyptian cooking. Then for your hands-on cooking class, learn how to cook two dishes from scratch - either an appetizer + main course or a main course + dessert. Learn to make mahashi (vegetables stuffed with meat and rice) and shorbet lesan el asfour (Egyptian noodle soup) or sahlab (milk pudding). While you cook, Somaya will introduce you to local ingredients, share stories and tips and tricks to make a delicious Egyptian meal. After cooking, sit down with the family to share the meal you helped prepare.

Instead of the traditional meal, if you'd like to try Egyptian breakfast foods, Somaya can teach you to make falafel or ta'ameya from scratch - blend all the ingredients, shape them into circles and deep fry it. Your will also learn to cook Egyptian shakshuka - combine eggs and fava beans, with garlic, green bell pepper, fresh tomato, all cooked in organic Egyptian ghee from the countryside. Please let Somaya know your preference when booking your Cairo cooking experience online.

Notes:
1. Somaya can offer a vegetarian meal on request. So please let her know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies while booking your Cairo cooking class online.
2. Please note the menu is seasonal and will vary depending on availability of ingredients. If you wish to cook or eat anything in particular please let Somaya know in advance, or else she will choose a menu for you.

Languages spoken: English, Arabic and Turkish

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 option from the below options
  • Traditional menu: Egyptian noodle soup or Grits soup + Mahashi (vegetables stuffed with meat and rice) or Koshary (a dish that combines pasta, rice, lentils) or Egyptian chicken potato pan or Kofta (kebab) + Sahlab (milk pudding) or Rice pudding
  • Breakfast menu: Falafel + Shakshuka + Black honey mixed with tahini + Mint tea + Egyptian freshly baked bread
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Somaya’s family home and loved meeting the family! We loved spending time with them - they were so hospitable and welcoming. They all speak good English (except for her mother who speaks basic English but with the support of her kids communicates very easily). The food was great and we enjoyed the cooking experience - they provide such an amazing cultural experience. One thing to note is that there is no AC in the living room and kitchen so dress in light clothing during the hot months.

Aziz and Mahmoud, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (54)
I enjoyed an evening exchanging stories, learning how to use delicious local ingredients and a delicious meal with Somaya and her sisters. They generously shared their home, talents and enthusiasm for egyptian culture! I often participate in a cooking class when traveling—it is a great way to visit with local people and fellow travelers. Somaya’s class and dinner was tops!
- mary May 12, 2026
Our family of four had been genuinely exited about cooking with Somaya and experiencing cuisine firsthand, and from the very first moment, we felt completely at home. Somaya welcomed us with open arms, together with her two wonderful sisters, Sohalia and Maram. Their warmth, smiles and kindness immediately made us feel like part of the family. Before we even started cooking, we all sat together and enjoined the most delicious home made cold red rose drink - just what we needed to relax and recharged after our overnight flight. As we talked, the sisters shared stories about their family and live, past, present and future. It felt so natural and heartfelt, like sitting around the table with old friends rather than people we had just met. Then came the moment we were all waiting for and we headed to the kitchen and started cooking! I asked Somaya in advance if she could show us the Egyptian version of shakshuka, and we were amazed. It turned out to be completely different from Mediterranean versions we knew, and delicious. Only later did we learn that the sisters actually von a Travel Spoon competition for their Egyptian shakshuka - which came as no surprise after testing it. The entire experience was filled with laugher, stories, learning, and amazing food, The two hours passes far too quickly, and suddenly it was time to say goodbye, even though none of us really wanted to. We truly hope to stay in touch with these three incredible women. We cannot recommend this experience highly enough to anyone who wants not only to cook wonderful food, but also connect with beautiful people and learn Egyptian culture in the most genuine and joyful way. An unforgettable memory for our family! Thank you Somaya, Sohaila and Maram! Best of luck!
- barry April 19, 2026
We were welcomed to Somaya, Sohaila and their mother's apartment in central Cairo with a hibiscus drink and had a lovely chat and laugh with them before being shown round their apartment and having a delicious Koshary meal and mint tea. We didn't have time to visit the market with them, or help with the cooking, but have got the recipe and lots of happy memories. They are all very happy ladies and it was an honour to be with them for those
- jane February 27, 2026
This cooking class was absolutely wonderful. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed into a beautiful home and treated like family. The experience was hands-on, intimate, and thoughtfully put together. What truly stood out was the level of care and hospitality. They went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable and enjoying myself. It wasn’t just a class — they welcomed me into their home and shared a truly meaningful cultural experience with me. Spending time with all three of them was such a joy. I’m so grateful for the kindness, flexibility, and warmth they showed. I would recommend this experience to anyone visiting, and I will absolutely be returning whenever I’m back in Cairo. I feel like I have made friends for life!
- dersera February 08, 2026
Somaya, Sohayla (Hope I spelled it right🙏🏽; forgive me if not), and Mom were a major highlight of our trip. My heart is full of love and laughter after our visit. The experience is definitely a must in Cairo and I couldn’t be happier that I and my sister had this time with them.
- candance February 05, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $73 $65 $65
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $89 $73 Not offered
Transportation
 $105 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $73 $65 $65
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $89 $73 Not offered
Transportation
 $105 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 2:00pm-4:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
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.