Lebanese cooking class in Beirut with a local family

Would 100% recommend this on-line experience. Tania and her mom were wonderful hosts and teachers. We learned wonderful cooking tips and feel confident to replicate the 3 recipes. We had rich conversations about our cultures and backgrounds. Tania and her mom are such interesting people. We would do another class with them for certain.

Once in a life time experience! If you look for an amazing authentic Lebanese cooking class, this is the place to go! I spent a great evening with Tanja's family and will never forget this enriching experience. You will not only learn how to cook one of the most delicious Lebanese dishes but you will also experience a lovely evening with a Lebanese family. I was welcomed like a family member and treated with so much hospitality and warm-heartedness. A million thanks to Tania and her family for this lifetime experience.

Very cordial, great evening! We had the great opportunity to enjoy real Lebanese food, but really not only that! The dinner with Tania’s family exceeded by far our expectation. Every single food plate served was really excellent, very tasty and we got a lot of interesting information about each of them. But that was not only the best! The whole family sincere and warm welcoming and whole evening conversation made that evening unforgettable . Although it was at beginning of October and the country started quite hot demonstrations, we had great evening with a lot of frank and open discussions about the Lebanon, Beirut, culture, sport and the family itself. We’ll never forgot this dinner and hopefully if we’ll return one day to Beirut we’ll visit them again. Tania and your family – thanks a lot, keep save and we wish you and your country all the best!

This was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it. Most like lol it will be the most memorable part of this trip. Tania reached out to us few days before the trip and asked us for our preference for the dish we want to prepare. 10 minutes after arriving, we felt like we are visiting friends or family. We participated in preparing the food for almost 2 hrs. Everything was simple and I am confident that I can reproduce most of the dishes. Most ingredients were fresh! Even the drink (Arak) was home-made!When food was ready, we sat with Tania and her parents to eat. It was as fun as the cooking part. We had several serious and fun conversations. Everything was perfect! I highly recommend it to anyone that loves food and interested in learning how to make it and the culture.

A massive thank you to Tania, Joy and their whole family & friends for hosting me on Christmas day. Everyone was so welcoming. This is a fantastic experience. I was able to try a variety of dishes as well as help make them. What makes this so special is that a number of ingredients come from their own garden & their family run butchery. The class is a good mix of cooking, tasting and chatting about local history & culture. Tania is an experienced traveller herself and really understands what people are looking for in a local cooking experience. I highly recommend you take this class early in your trip as Tania can really help to introduce you to the city and make suggestions on local attractions.

Moment très agréable passé avec Tania et sa famille. Découverte de la préparation de spécialités d'une cuisine familiale libanaise. Dégustation très conviviale au cours d'un repas animée par des discussions très intéressantes. Tania parle un français raffiné.Une très belle expérience que nous recommandons !

If you are looking to experience a real Lebenese family dinner (and preparation) then search no furher. The cooking course and subsequent dinner will give you a deep introduction into the Lebanese kitchen and culture. Furthermore, Tania is a great host as well as a guide and always supportive in giving advice on activities and places to visit in Beirut. Highly recommended!

Tania and her family were amazing hosts! Not only did she accommodate a short notice dinner, but provided so many food options (as well as explanations). She also provided fantastic directions to her place (with photos!), and responded quickly to any questions. From beginning to end, she was a great host. I would’ve stayed longer to chat with her family and friends had I not had an early start date the following day. The food was absolutely delicious, and I couldn’t believe how everything was homemade - including the arak! Tania’s mom is truly an amazing cook. Though my meal was a late lunch, I definitely ate enough to keep me full for the rest of the day. I highly recommend if you want a quick peek into Lebanese life and cuisine.

I recently went on holidays in Lebanon and I decided to book this cooking course for my first day in the country. Tania picked me up from my hotel and we headed to the market where her knowledge and enthusiasm was in a league of its own. We then went to her home and I met her family. I find it incredible how genuinely welcoming and hospitable they are considering how popular the experience is. We cooked some amazing local dishes that the restaurants couldn't hold a match to. Tania truly loves hosting and sharing her extensive knowledge with people and it shows. Her mother has the same passion, a true lady who I feel privileged to have met. Most of the produce we used was grown by her father. I had tried the arak in a restaurant the night before and couldn't drink it. But her father's homemade arak was unbelievably good, I couldn't get enough. I noticed when booking it said 1 or 2 glasses of arak would be offered, but I'd say that I drunk the best part of a bottle and I woke up as fresh as a daisy. After this evening I had created a friendship and if any of her family are ever in Ireland they are welcome to stay in my house. This experience will show the exceptional hospitality of the Lebanese that money can't buy. I would recommend doing this in the beginning of your holiday because you will feel like you have been in the country for years in the space of hours.

In short, it was perfect. We booked the cooking course for our first evening in Beirut. The communication with Tania was great. We were warmly welcomed by the family and immediately felt at home. For us it was important to learn more about the people and the culture and this is the perfect opportunity. After we had spoken something, we prepared dinner together. All the food was fresh and really delicious - we were really full afterwards. We enjoyed this evening very much and learned a lot about the Lebanese culture. There is no better way. Many thanks to Tania and her whole family. We will certainly see each other again! See you soon!

We spent a wonderful and most memorable evening with Tania, her mother and father and two of her brothers. We very much enjoyed their company as well as the authentic cooking experience and the delicious dishes that we have prepared together. Tania's mother truly must have been a chef in her previous life. It was amazing to see how relaxed she was while teaching us how to prepare 11 different dishes, answering questions and following an interview with the President on TV at the same time. Besides cooking we gained many insights into the life of a Lebanese family and were struck by the open mindedness and warmth of all family members. Our visit to Beirut would not have been the same without this experience. Thank you again, Tania. And warmest regards also to your adorable mothe, your kind father and your entertaining brother Assad with his new leather jacket! Lots of love, Henrik and Stephanie

Un énorme merci pour cet accueil chaleureux et ce bel échange, cette expérience sera un beau souvenir que nous partagerons avec notre entourage. Nous nous sentions chez nous. A très bientôt

Tania and her family were very friendly, we felt like at home. We learnt a lot about Lebanese cuisine and learnt also some special cooking techniques. It was our best experience in Lebanon :)

We had a wonderful experience with Tania and her family. As we had some issues travelling that day we arrived at our cooking class two hours late. Despite this we cooked a whole range of food with Tanya and her mother (including moutabbal, hoummous, tabboule, batata harrara and kofte and batata). We were really grateful for Tanya's flexibility - and we were impressed with how she was able to pull of such a great experience, despite our late arrival. Tania and her mother gave us lots of useful tips - which my husband will definitely be using! Tania also messaged me beforehand to ask me what we would like to cook, and the class was tailored to our preference. I booked this lesson as a birthday present for my husband - and Tania surprised him with a cake. A lovely touch! We also got the added bonus, as others have mentioned, of meeting Tania's family. They were great!

This experience came highly recommended and we were not disappointed. Tania and her whole family welcomed us with open arms and shared their love and knowledge for Lebanese food with us. We truly had a great time and cooked more dishes we could eat.

Tania and her family are the perfect hosts and they all make you feel very welcome. Good location and easy to get to. Whilst preparing the food and learning how to make the various dishes, we talked, laughed a lot and got to know about Lebanese cuisine. Tania and her Mum are great teachers and I cannot recommend the experience highly enough. Do not miss this opportunity - Book now !

Plus de 2 mois après, nous repensons encore à cette soirée. Un très bon moment, un repas excellent que nous recommandons vivement. À très bientôt pour notre prochain voyage au Liban PS: Tania si tu as des photos de la soirée, nous sommes preneurs :)Capucine et Ahmed

We can’t recommend Tania and her family enough. They were exceptionally hospitable and even offered to help us make arrangements for the rest of our trip. Tania and her mother were not only taught us to make some of the best food we’ve tasted in years, they also explained the background of different foods and welcomed us into their home with their family. She was also more than happy to tailor our class to exactly the foods we wanted to make. If you’re looking for an excellent culinary experience and a glimpse into Lebanese family, Tania and her family are the perfect choice.

Tania and her family welcomed me into their home as if I was part of the family. There was laughter and banter and a lively energy that comes from brothers and uncles and nieces and all of the other guests who randomly drop in throughout the experience. The food was fresh and delicious, and they catered the menu for me-I wanted something simple that I could make when I get home. The food and cooking was wonderful, but what it memorable was time with Tania and her family. Highly recommend!!

Tania y su familia fueron muy amables, la madre de Tania un encanto de señora que amablemente nos enseñó las recetas de su casa . Solo Tener en cuenta que el precio de la actividad no incluye clases de cocina , se paga aparte .

Sharing a meal with Tania and her family was one of the highlights of our trip to Lebanon. Through the booking process, Tania was super responsive and helpful, always happy to provide tips and recommendations about Beirut and Lebanon. When my partner and I arrived at Tania's family apartment, we were immediately offered coffee, a nice, warm way of making us feeling welcomed. As neither my partner or me are cooks, we specifically requested for simple recipes that you can make at home. We cooked our dinner with Tania and her mother and were involved in the cooking just enough to feel at ease. I highly recommend that you find one evening to spend time with Tania and her family, you will learn a lot about Lebanon and Lebanese and her family is really worth meeting!

J’ai réservé ce cours suite aux commentaires postés ! Qui finalement ne reflète que très peu la réalité! Ce fut génial ! Vous venez prendre un cours de cuisine, vous prenez également un cours de bienveillance (et vous repartez avec une famille au Liban!).Cette rencontre à été merveilleuse. Entre le papa jardinier, la maman excellente cuisinière et Tania un amour les cinq étoiles ne suffisent pas! Merci à Tania et sa famille pour leur chaleureux accueil! À très vite

From first contact Tania was both responsive and informative. I was given detailed directions which made it easy to find the apartment. On arrival i was pleasantly surprised as to how friendly and welcoming Tania and her mother were. We talked about everything from travel, photography , culture and of course the wonderful Lebanese food we were to prepare and eat. Some of Tania's family also popped in and were just as friendly. All in all i had a wonderful time with amazing, friendly, intelligent people and never felt rushed or that it was all about the money.Last but not least Tania pointed me in the direction of another great person who showed me parts of Lebanon of which i would have never discovered by myself.

You should visit them if you are interested in food, culture, and local experience!! Super friendly host will welcome you and let you feel like you have your family in Beirut. I think we should have skip our breakfast on that day lol.

Had an amazing time with Tania and her family at their house.She and her mother showed us how to cook many typical dishes, as we cooked together. After everything was ready we had dinner with the whole family as some other members of the family came over. A real experience in which I learnt a lot!I strongly recommend it!Tks Tania

If you don't want to read all of this, then here is a summary; this experience was amazing and worth every penny!We booked it well in advance of us visiting Beirut and we had really good communication with Tania, the host. She kept us posted with what we needed to know and gave us really helpful advice on how to get to her place.We really wanted to experience Lebanese food and Lebanese life, and this experience had this in abundance! Tania, and her mum and dad, were so welcoming of me and my wife. They made us feel at ease right away. Once food had been prepared and we were ready to have our meal, we ended up sharing it with Tania's wider family who turned up. They were all so lovely and easy going and it really added to the experience.In terms of the food, we learnt so much from Tania and her mum. I'm useless in the kitchen but they were both so patient with me and nice about my uselessness :) Tania and her mum asked us what we wanted to learn from them and we were in control of what we wanted to cook. They go through things slowly which helps to understand what they're doing. The food at the end of it all was INCREDIBLE! So delicious!!All in all, it was a lovely evening out for us and such a great experience. Tania and her family are such great hosts and will go the extra mile for everyone they come across. They even got me halal meat! Tania also knows a lot about Lebanon and where to go and what to do - she's like a walking, talking TripAdvisor!

Felt like home! My friends and I wandered the garden, eating fresh vegetables from the vine, then worked with Amal and her mom to make some traditional dishes. Our dishes met with things Amal and her family had prepared. Cured sour grapes, delicious chickpeas, and everything that tasted fresher than anything in the store. I can’t recommend this experience enough!!!!

Le Liban est riche en surprise à chaque coin de rue, laisser vous surprendre encore davantage en vous rendant chez Tania et sa famille ! Un accueil chaleureux, bienveillant et réconfortant où l'on se sent presque comme chez soi un jour de fête. Les connaissances culinaires de Joëlle, son regard complice et son humour nous mettent en confiance et nous créé des souvenirs de voyage unique ! Grâce à la disponibilité, la gentillesse, l'expérience et la sympathie de Tania, nous avons pu choisir nos plats et nos horaires de rencontres mais aussi glaner de nombreuses informations sur les visites incontournables au Liban. En somme, cette expérience est inégalable, à faire et refaire pour en découvrir toujours davantage ! Un grand merci à toute la famille pour votre sens de l'accueil et votre gentillesse !

Quand un voyage au Liban peut être dépaysant, après de longues heures de marche dans Beyrouth, arriver chez Tania et Joëlle est très réconfortant. Nous avons retrouvé une ambiance vraiment familiale en rencontrant toute la famille des enfants au grands parents .Nous pouvons choisir ce qu’on cuisine sur place ce qui est un vrai atout, sans parler de la diversité des plats proposés. Un vrai repas de fête !Je vous recommande cette expérience essentielle à Beyrouth, pour la sympathie de cette famille, la présence et la communication de Tania, et les talents de Joelle pour la cuisine et aussi pour son humour incroyable :)MERCI BEAUCOUP !Melody

Was an amazing authentic experience! The family source most ingredients from farm (or in this case garden) to table. Hospitable, welcoming and great conversation! Made all Lebanese dishes we could think of, while learning a lot about Lebanese cuisine, culture and history. A must for a foodie who wants to try local cuisine!

Just book it. The evening spent cooking with Tania and her mother, with various family members and friends in and out, was magical, educational, delicious, and just, plain FUN! Tania is a delight—well-traveled, interesting, warm, and generous. We learned so much on every level, from cooking tips that we've done at home, to loads about the culture and living in Beirut. Don't hesitate!! I wrote about the whole experience, plus recipes, on the itch.world blog.

Very authentic experience with locals sharing a part of their daily life and their passion for cooking. Excellent food, richly set table, interesting conversations. Many thanks

This is so much more than a cooking class! You'll be invited to Tania's parents home, they are such welcoming, warmhearted Lebanese family - نحن نحبك يا أم تانيا. You will be shopping with Tania, cooking with whole team (Tania's mother, Tania and their smiling and gentle Ethiopian helper), dining with whole family and who knows, maybe some songs, photos or stories will follow. Therefore be curious and nice to them and you'll leave with plenty of insights about Lebanon, it's culture and food traditions. You might also taste delicious home made Lebanese deserts, coffee or arak so leave some space in your digestive system for those :). Dishes are succulent and you can choose anything that you want - however bear in mind that cooking, eating and chatting takes time :) so don't plan anything else that evening. It won't be boring!Cooking wise you're not expected to do anything unless you want. You can just watch and see how they prepare the meal but you're most welcome to join and help out and if you will, you will have so much fun!Home is always full and very lively - so don't be surprised also if their relatives or neighbours pop up for a chat! Come as you are and you will be good. No need to prepare no need to worry. Come over and let it flow.

Tania and her family were incredible hosts and the experience was one of the best holiday experiences I have done. The food was incredible and all easily recreatable at home. The result of the cooking was delicious food and great company. It was in no way rushed at all even though Tania needed had a flight to catch at the crack of dawn the next morning. We can’t thank Tania and her parents enough for letting us into their home and showing us true Lebanese hospitality!

The whole experience was very enjoyable. We decided the menu over a welcome coffee and introductory chat. An anticipation of what the rest of the evening was going to be. A non stop conversation, first in the kitchen and later over the dinner, about food, customs, people, and so on. We learnt a lot of dishes, prepared by Tania, her mother and us alike.

We very much enjoyed our coking lesson and meal with Tania and her mother. Both of them were extremely welcoming & patient with us. They have a great dynamic, and we really appreciated working in their home. A couple of days before as well as at the start of the day, Tania asked us if there were any particular dishes we wanted to learn how to make. We were up for anything, so she suggested a mix of mix of traditional things (hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush) as well as home-style cooking that we were less familiar with (stuffed eggplants, potato salad, tumeric cake). It was a massive feast of food, and we were stuffed by the time that we left. One of the coolest parts of the experience was learning how families typically eat the food, not just how they cook it. I likely would never have learned that I should be eating tabbouleh in a lettuce leaf instead of with a fork or that each dish is eaten separately, not mixed together on a plate.

Tania and her parents were so much fun to cook and share a meal with. We loved getting a hands on lesson from her and her mother, and the food we made tasted amazing! Highly recommend to any travelers interested in Lebanese cuisine.

We have just got back to our hotel after the most fantastic night with Tania and her mum and dad. They were the nicest people you could wish to meet and couldn’t have made us feel any more welcome. Tania’s brother David also popped in to say hello and did what our grown up children do - straight to the Kitchen - open the fridge to see what he could raid from it - he clearly knows that he will always be well fed at mum and dads house . We learnt such a lot and will definitely be making the dishes at home. But, most impressively we ate an amazing feast which could have fed the whole street! Tania was also really helpful with advice about where to go and what to see - we will be taking her advice. If they did bed and breakfast we would be there in a heartbeat. If you want a good evening with amazing food and lovely new friends then this is the place to go. We absolutely loved it. Thank you Tania and family x

Tania and her family are some of the warmest and friendliest people I have ever met. Her mom is a magician in the kitchen. My husband and I had a delightful time with them. It was like visiting family friends. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable and welcome in their home. I felt like I was with my own family and siblings. Both Tania and her mom gave us some valuable cooking tips, and they laid out a spread like no other! A special mention to Tania's brothers - they were so funny and lovely. We will always cherish the time we spent with this wonderful family.

Not knowing what to expect and feeling slightly nervous about my lack of experience in the kitchen was forgotten the minute Tania and her mum opened the door. Welcoming, funny, humble and talented are just a few words to describe this family. Arrive hungry and you may need to be forklifted out after the meal is devoured. Oh, we needed an extra table extension to accommodate the food! I loved every minute of it. SAHTAYN

Without any doubt I can assure Tania and his family gave to me more than I paid for. Being able to take customized cooking classes during 5 days in a warm family environment was a priceless and helpful opportunity to improve my cooking skills and knowledge.I can’t thanks enough this beautiful family for sharing so much delicious food and love with me. My heart has been stolen by the kindness, sweetness and generosity of this amazingly family.One of a kind experience, Highly recommended!

Highly recommended! Tania and her family were so welcoming and made the whole experience fun and highly informative. We learnt a great deal about Lebanese food/traditional ways of cooking and also gained first hand insights into Lebanese culture. A truly great experience and one that will be much treasured in the memory bank. Thanks so much Tania! :-)

Nous avons découvert chez Tania une facette du Liban au delà de nos espérances ! Ces gens nous ont accueillis avec chaleur et amitié sans pareille! Nous avions déjà quelques bases de la cuisine libanaise et cette rencontre nous a permis de renchérir nos connaissances en y apprenant quelques trucs et nouveautés pour nos futurs préparations de cette magnifique cuisine authentique et délicieuse ! Tania et sa mère sont des gens simples et vrais qui veulent partager leurs connaissances avec ceux qu’ils reçoivent. Je recommande haut la main ceux qui voudraient essayer cette cuisine riche en saveur et fraîcheur et vivre l’expérience d’un moment dans une famille des plus chaleureuse !Salutation Michel et Hugo

Spending an evening cooking, dining, and chatting with Tania and her parents was a highlight of my time in Beirut. Much more than just learning to make a few dishes, you will be welcomed into the family and made to feel a part of it.

If you are like me, you have traveled to many countries where you have seen the sights, eaten at top restaurants and even learned a few words of a foreign language but left without talking with anyone other than taxi drivers, tour guides and hotel workers. With this experience, you take a glimpse into the lives of real people, spend an afternoon cooking, share in a meal and become a part of a Lebanese family. While it might be possible to find another home-stay experience, it would be impossible to find another Tania or her family. Tania's abundant and open personality was made for hosting travelers. Her mom, not only lovely as mentioned by others, is a dynamo in the kitchen. That we met her brothers, nieces, neighbors and friends only completes the thoroughly satisfying cultural experience. And yes, we also learned to cook bright dishes that benefit from homestyle technique.

I cannot say enough about Tania and her parents. They are welcoming; they are warm; the are friendly; they laugh. I am a supermarket geek, in that I go to supermarkets all over the world when I travel, just to get a sense of what locals eat ... and walking the supermarket with Tania (who is a food-sciences expert) was enlightening and educational. (I'm coming back to see the family garden next time).Tania's mom is the quintessential mom. She wants everything to be perfect, she wants to make you fat, and you better clean your plate. She's an truly adorable woman -- and her recipes (not just the ones you help her prepare, but the little things you get to takes, like the preserves she makes) should be recorded for history in a cookbook, they are that good!The tabouleh, with Tania's addition of lemon zest and her mom's secret pepper mixture is truly the single best tabouleh I've ever had. I could write for another 2 hours about how incredible this experience was -- to go into a real Lebanese home and to cook with such amazing people ... but you simply have to experience it yourself to truly appreciate how spectacular Tania is, and how special her mom and dad are.

Tania and her family were so welcoming. We had continuous dialogue about Lebanese food as we were cooking and as various members of the family arrived they all joined in. It was great fun and the food was delicious. Tania is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour. Would definitely recommend it. ( Apologies for late review)

Tania was amazing. She was so welcoming and hospitable. Cooking with her and her mom was a pleasure and an authentic experience. We learned the finer details of what makes Lebanese food so delicious, and there was never a dull moment. Tania’s family are warm and friendly, and she did a great job engaging in conversation, explaining food and customs, and making sure we had everything we could ever want. Please don’t visit Beirut without booking a meal with Tania.

We're home for 4 days now and have already made the hummus and tabbouleh we learned about from Tania's lovely mom. Last week we spent the day in Tania's family home, and going on a brief grocery shopping & butcher trip with her. We had a delicious meal, learned how to cook a few Lebanese dishes, and enjoyed too much Arak (thanks to her brother, who is seriously fun). This is an experience that is good for all ages. I would highly recommend. PS- Tania and her family are welcome at our home anytime.

If you enjoy eating, cooking, and really getting to experience local life you must absolutely do this cooking class! We arranged to take the cooking class at Tanias home with her and her family and it was an experience I’ll never forget. We got to try Lebanese food we had never eaten before and learn how to cook everything as well. It was great because we actually got to get in the kitchen and learn how to make the dishes and not just sit off to the side and watch. Tania and her family are so welcoming, kind, and easy to talk to that by the end of the night I felt like we were having dinner with old friends and family. You can tell that the whole family, especially Tania and her mother, are very passionate about cooking and teaching others. You will not leave hungry. Everything was absolutely delicious and a beautiful presentation. If you are in Beirut this is a must! Tania is also more than happy to help out with any other questions about Beirut or Lebanon as a whole. I can’t wait to come and do it again!

This cooking class and meal was the most memorable part of my holiday in Lebanon. Tania and her family offer an exceptional course with an authentic experience. Tania and her mother catered to us and arranged for us to make foods that we haven’t tried before and they were all delicious. The cooking course was great, we worked in their kitchen and learned a lot about how they make many Lebanese dishes all while talking with her family, laughing and tasting our creations along the way. The food was great and so was the presentation. I enjoyed being in their home and being treated as part of the family. Tania is also extremely helpful in suggesting other things to do and see in Beirut. As we drove to her house, she was pointing out places of interest and things to see and do. This cooking course surpassed my expectations and I was so happy to have done it. All of the dishes we made were not too complicated and can be remade at home. I highly recommend that anyone coming to Beirut do the cooking course and meal as it will be the best part of your time in Beirut!

My partner and I had dinner with Tania and her family, not only was the food excellent but we were given an insight into the lives of her family and the way they live day to day. Tania's mother is one of the great home cooks and she watched over us as we attempted several traditional meals. I'd highly recommend this to anyone wanting a home cooking experience.

We joined Tania and her wonderful mother for a wonderful evening of learning how to cook a variety of Lebanese dishes, followed by a lovely and heartwarming family meal.We could not have expected to be welcomed as one of the family and enjoyed meeting all of those who dined with us that evening. Tania's family is also super knowledgeable on the Lebanese history and contacts for the research we where doing.Can not recommend highly enough - superb!

What a lovely activity to do on your first time trip to Lebanon. It was a cooking lesson, foodie experience and Lebanese cultural tour in one. Tania and her mother are amazing hosts. Her entire family welcomed me as I was part of them, and I was able to try some delicious Lebanese cuisine. I would greatly recommend.

If you are reading this review you are looking for something foodie and fun while you are visiting Beirut. Don’t hesitate....book this experience! I had a fabulous time at Tania’s family home participating in preparing part of an incredible Lebanese dinner that was delicious. I learned new skills and came away with numerous recipes which I will be able to reproduce when I am back home. Tania’s mother is a fantastic cook and it was great to watch the mother daughter team getting the flavors in every dish exactly perfect. Our meal was a family event with three generations present which added to the fun. Tania’s family was warm and immediately made me feel welcome and at ease and by the end of the night I felt like I was family. It doesn’t get much better than that. I would highly recommend this experience...it was priceless for me.

I highly recommend this delightful culinary experience. Tania is a beautiful, charming hostess who will introduce you to other members of her family upon arrival. She even emailed me a map with photos for directions for the taxi driver! You will thoroughly enjoy this family as they add much to your knowledge of Lebanon and its cuisine. The food was very plentiful and quite tasty, the hospitality of Tania and her family was excellent, and the overall experience was fantastic ! You will love this experience !

Je tiens à remercier Tania, Joëlle et le reste de la famille pour leur accueil chaleureux.La cuisine est un voyage et celui-ci est plein de saveurs et de petites astuces très précieuses.La découpe du persil pour le taboulé, la cuisson de l’aubergine pour lui donner ce goût fumé, le pic à brochette pour former les saussices...Allez-y ! Yallah !!Laissez-vous guider par Tania, son art de la table et du partage ! Chez Tania, on parle anglais, libanais et français en cuisinant et ça !!! J’adore :-) Merci Tania

Joelle and Tania are awesome. We had such a great time cooking and learning about the country. Their family is so welcoming, I cannot put into words the experience we had with them. Family and neighbors stopped by throughout the day to say hello, welcome us and enjoy some of the food that we prepared. You will leave VERY full. If you enjoy adult drinks makes sure and add that, Tania's dad makes a awesome Arak that you won't want to miss. I love how Joelle cooks because it is similar to me, a little this a little that but a lot of love. We left feeling as though we had made new family friends.

This experience is a must for any traveler who loves to get to know a country and it’s people from a view the typical tourist doesn’t. Tania was awesome and made this dinner not only educating but also very fun and enjoyable. She exceeded my expectations by far and gave me so much additional information on what to do and see in Lebanon. The food was very very delicious, I will definitely book this again the next time I come to Lebanon. Hands down probably the best experience on my trip!

We found Tanias Cooking Class on the Tablespoon. Not knowing what exactly expected us we booked it. We where more than happy. Tania sent us already days before arrival useful insider tips for restaurants and beirut. We met her and her lovely and warm hearted family at their flat. The dishes we prepared where all easy and tasteful. Tania and her very talented mother planned a real nice combination of several typical dishes. Later we enjoyed eating with her family and talking all the evening. In the end it didnt fell like saying "good bye" to a cooking class we booked, more like saying "see you soon" to friends. I can totally recommend this experience. Tania and her mother both speak english and french. Thank you for this aweful evening

Let me first start by saying WOW!! This has been the most memorable experience of all my travels. Tania and her family are exceptional hosts. Tania and her mom are so knowledgeable about Lebanese cruise and techniques. Joelle (Tania's mom) is a master of Lebanese cuisine, and she was so patient with me when as I tried to learn new techniques and recipes in their beautiful, cosy apartment in Beirut. They made me feel so welcome and part of the family. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in food and looking for a one of a kind immersive experience into Lebanese culture and cuisine.

Ich kann die Erfahrungen der anderen absolut bestätigen, es war ein schöner Abend. Der Arak vom Großvater was sensationell und das Essen super lecker. Wenn ich wieder urlaub im Libanon mache, versuche ich wieder zukommen. Ich denke oft an den Abend zurück obwohl es ein Monat her ist.

Tania and her father took us to their garden. There was an abundance of fruits, vegetables and herbs. Tania’s father was keen for us to see everything and we brought some vegetables and herbs back for dinner.Tania and her mother had already prepared some dishes but showed us how to prepare several traditional Lebanese dishes both vegetarian and meat. I picked up some great tips and Tania’s mum informed me that I have been making hummus completely wrong! We were also shown how to make a Lebanese desert. The whole experience was great fun with friends, family and neighbours calling in for a chat.We joined Tania’s family for dinner and there was so much food all freshly prepared. It was some of the tastiest food I have ever had. We then had tea, coffee and fruits with Tania and her family and spent the evening talking to them about family and their way of life which was really interesting. They shared their experiences of the war and even had photos in of their home during this time.It was a fun, informative and humbling experience. Tania has a lovely family who are very welcoming and gave us a great insight into Lebanese life. I would not hesitate to recommend this experience. I now feel I have friends in Lebanon and look forward to trying the dishes back home.

I have no words to describe how wonderful was our experience at Tania’s home. Her family was very nice, kind and really funny. Her mom was a machine at the kitchen!!! We learned a lot of good tips to cook Lebanese food back home, and they also chose a menu that we could easily do in our country! They prepared several types of typical dishes and we could try them all at dinner with the whole family. Besides that everything was fresh and homemade, including the Arak, very different than the ones we find on the supermarket. It was the best Lebanese food I ever tried. I am really thankful for everything Tania has prepared for us. It was an unique experience and I totally recommend!

This was definitely one of the highlights of my recent trip to Lebanon. Tania was incredibly warm and welcoming, and her mother was amazing to watch in the kitchen. I picked up some great tips and techniques that I took home with me.We took a trip to some locals markets, and Tania tailored everything towards me as she made sure that I got to try a wide variety of Lebanese food. Several members of her family joined us for dinner, and they were all incredibly friendly and welcoming. After dinner, Tania showed me the correct way to make Lebanese coffee!I would definitely recommend this to anyone staying in Beirut who loves food.

Tania and her family are fantastic and immediately make you feel as if you are one of the family. Her mom is a Lebanese cooking MACHINE. She did not stop and ever few minutes was churning out dish after dish of pure deliciousness. We took photos, took notes, chopped when we were told and tasted what was given us. In the end, I think we got a good sense of how to make some of our favorite dishes. Of course, the best part was sharing a meal with Tania's family. She invited her brother and some friends to join so we were a big group and everyone was comfortable and very much welcome. My daughter is five years old and she was immediate best friends with Tania's brother. They were laughing, playing the piano, signing and having so much fun together. Everything we ate was homemade. Even things that are normally purchased at the store, Tania's Mom was making from scratch. Even the alcohol we were drinking was distilled by Tania's Dad! I loved how personalized Tania made everything even reaching out to us a few days ahead of time to ask if we had any specific dishes we wanted to cook. Honestly, it was one of the highlights of our trip and my daughter cried when it was finally time to leave.

A memorable ‘down-to-earth’ authentic paid cooking experience I have had to date while travelling. My hesitancy at the time of booking this event quickly dissipated after meeting the family in their home. The family home, an older inner city apartment, reflects the history of loving big family. The family garden though needing more care is a tranquil oasis within greater Beirut area. The cooking lesson was as close as you may get to having your own mum in the small but accommodating kitchen. Tania's parents are warm, have a happy disposition and a wonderful sense of humor. Mum was instructive and supportive (and humorously patient) throughout my cooking lesson. Tania was professional and yet relaxed. Her own travell experiences was a source of delighftul discussion complimented with homemade Arak. I learnt to cook three types of kibbeh; now the pressure back home is to replicate!Even though this was a paid cooking event, I felt that I was an unpaid invited family friend. I did not feel as though time was up; the event started around 4:10 pm and I left after 11 pm at my choosing. Thanks also to Tania and family for helping me with some unexpected hassles; and their kindness with surprising me next day with a late lunch. This was my first Traveling Spoon booked cooking experience. In summary, the Traveling Spoon Beirut is a warm & engaging family home based cooking experience which would appeal to those looking for a broad non-technical immersion into Lebanese cooking and family life. I highly recommend this family cooking event.

Cooking with Tania and her family in their home was a highlight of our trip! They made my sister and I feel very welcome in their home. We watched and learned how to make 8 or so typical Lebanese dishes. We requested vegetarian food, which they accommodated no problem. When we sat down to eat, it was quite a feast. Everything tasted wonderful. The conversation and arak were flowing through lunch. We ended our time with homemade desserts, black coffee, and white coffee. If you are hoping to learn how to make Lebanese food, or just want to taste a tasty homecooked meal during your trip, I highly recommend this activity!

We had a wonderful time at Tania's home -- we learned a lot about local Lebanese culture, history, geo-politics and of course, the food was the main highlight. Lebanese mezzo's, sausages, beans, delicious salads and a chicken and chickpeas stew. We also got to try generous portions of home made arak. Would highly recommend this experience to our friends and fellow travelers.