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Host: Manisha

Pondicherry, India

USD
$30-$46 per person

Market Tour and Pondicherry Cooking Class with Local Expert Manisha

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

Meet Manisha

Born in Nagaland to Oriya parents and raised in West Bengal, Manisha has called Pondicherry home for over 40 years. Her diverse cultural background and deep expertise in medicinal plants have shaped her unique culinary approach, blending the rich flavors of Indian and French Creole cuisines. With a passion for food as medicine, she teaches how culinary traditions can enhance health and well-being. Manisha's work has been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast, ARTE - European Cultural TV, and Hyundai Road Chasers, where she showcases the cultural and medicinal value of food. For over two decades, she has shared her knowledge with thousands of international students through hands-on cooking classes, food walks, and cycle tours in French, English, and various regional Indian languages. Her goal is to create dishes that not only delight the senses but also nourish the body and soul.

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.

Market visit: (1-7 guests) Shop, cook and savor the flavors of Pondicherry with a local expert! Embark on this flavorful journey through Pondicherry with a guided tour of Goubert Market led by a local expert, Manisha. As one of the oldest and most vibrant markets in the city, Goubert Market is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of this bustling hub. Choose your menu for the day and then explore a wide array of seasonal, local produce as Manisha shares fascinating stories from the vendors and insights into the ingredients' origins. After selecting the freshest ingredients, hop into a rickshaw and head to Manisha's home for an interactive and authentic Pondicherry cooking class. This tour is the ideal way to kickstart your culinary adventure in Pondicherry!

Join Manisha for a 2-hour, hands-on cooking class in her home kitchen in Pondicherry. Whether you choose an Indian or French Creole menu, Manisha will guide you through each step of the cooking process, helping you create 3-4 authentic dishes from scratch. Her goal is to introduce you to the rich culinary traditions that reflect Pondicherry's unique cultural heritage. This interactive class is perfect for anyone looking to learn to cook Indian food in Pondicherry. You'll not only master traditional recipes but also gain insights into local ingredients, culinary traditions, and the medicinal value of food. Manisha is passionate about preserving sustainable cooking practices and sharing her knowledge of the deep connection between food, culture, and well-being.

After cooking, sit down with Manisha to enjoy the meal you've prepared together, exchanging stories and laughter in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A unique opportunity to culturally immerse yourself in Pondicherry's rich heritage, ideal for food lovers, travelers looking for an authentic, local experience and anyone interested in connecting with local culture through food!

Notes: Manisha can offer a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals on request, if informed in advance.

Languages spoken: English, French and other 4 Indian Languages (Tamil, Hindi, Oriya, Bengali)

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 options, which will be served with rice or roti and dessert:
  • Menu 1 (South Indian): sambar, poriyal or kurma (vegetarian) or fish curry or prawn or chicken chettinad (non-vegetarian)
  • Menu 2 (North Indian): gobi aloo or palak paneer (vegetarian) or chicken tikka masala (non-vegetarian)
  • Menu 3 (French Creole): beetroot salad, chicken meat ball with coconut milk
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Manisha

$30-$46 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
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $46 $30 $30
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $46 $30 $30
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Manisha

Born in Nagaland to Oriya parents and raised in West Bengal, Manisha has called Pondicherry home for over 40 years. Her diverse cultural background and deep expertise in medicinal plants have shaped her unique culinary approach, blending the rich flavors of Indian and French Creole cuisines. With a passion for food as medicine, she teaches how culinary traditions can enhance health and well-being. Manisha's work has been featured in National Geographic, Conde Nast, ARTE - European Cultural TV, and Hyundai Road Chasers, where she showcases the cultural and medicinal value of food. For over two decades, she has shared her knowledge with thousands of international students through hands-on cooking classes, food walks, and cycle tours in French, English, and various regional Indian languages. Her goal is to create dishes that not only delight the senses but also nourish the body and soul.

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.

Market visit: (1-7 guests) Shop, cook and savor the flavors of Pondicherry with a local expert! Embark on this flavorful journey through Pondicherry with a guided tour of Goubert Market led by a local expert, Manisha. As one of the oldest and most vibrant markets in the city, Goubert Market is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and tastes of this bustling hub. Choose your menu for the day and then explore a wide array of seasonal, local produce as Manisha shares fascinating stories from the vendors and insights into the ingredients' origins. After selecting the freshest ingredients, hop into a rickshaw and head to Manisha's home for an interactive and authentic Pondicherry cooking class. This tour is the ideal way to kickstart your culinary adventure in Pondicherry!

Join Manisha for a 2-hour, hands-on cooking class in her home kitchen in Pondicherry. Whether you choose an Indian or French Creole menu, Manisha will guide you through each step of the cooking process, helping you create 3-4 authentic dishes from scratch. Her goal is to introduce you to the rich culinary traditions that reflect Pondicherry's unique cultural heritage. This interactive class is perfect for anyone looking to learn to cook Indian food in Pondicherry. You'll not only master traditional recipes but also gain insights into local ingredients, culinary traditions, and the medicinal value of food. Manisha is passionate about preserving sustainable cooking practices and sharing her knowledge of the deep connection between food, culture, and well-being.

After cooking, sit down with Manisha to enjoy the meal you've prepared together, exchanging stories and laughter in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. A unique opportunity to culturally immerse yourself in Pondicherry's rich heritage, ideal for food lovers, travelers looking for an authentic, local experience and anyone interested in connecting with local culture through food!

Notes: Manisha can offer a lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan meals on request, if informed in advance.

Languages spoken: English, French and other 4 Indian Languages (Tamil, Hindi, Oriya, Bengali)

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 options, which will be served with rice or roti and dessert:
  • Menu 1 (South Indian): sambar, poriyal or kurma (vegetarian) or fish curry or prawn or chicken chettinad (non-vegetarian)
  • Menu 2 (North Indian): gobi aloo or palak paneer (vegetarian) or chicken tikka masala (non-vegetarian)
  • Menu 3 (French Creole): beetroot salad, chicken meat ball with coconut milk
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $46 $30 $30
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $46 $30 $30
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 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 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.