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Los Angeles · California · United States
Authentic Los Angeles Cooking Class in Reseda
Starting From
From $288.00 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
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Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Host Bio: Jacqueline grew up in the Middle East watching her grandmother and mother cook every meal for the family from scratch. She has fond memories of helping her grandmother knead dough as a child and of the delicious smells of her grandmother’s freshly baked pastries wafting through the kitchen. Jacqueline is of Lebanese origin, was born in Jordan, and lived in Palestine where food has important cultural and symbolic meanings that go beyond what's on the plate. She now lives with her husband and son in America where she enjoys hosting friends and family for Middle-eastern themed dinners. Jacqueline welcomes you with “ahlan wa sahlan” which means welcome. Hospitality and generosity are ingrained in Jacqueline's culture and she truly makes you feel like part of the family. Jacqueline says she loves living in Los Angeles because of the food, the people and the weather! It was as she was helping her son with his food truck business that she realized her true passion was cooking and serving people. Jacqueline has been cooking for over 35 years and still loves to see how her food brings joy to people’s faces and enjoys interacting with guests from all over the world. Experience the warmth and generosity of the Jordanian culture without leaving LA.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- This is an authentic cooking experience in a local home, not a professional class in a studio
- Join your host for a generous gourmet Middle Eastern dining or cooking experience
- Learn about the history of Middle Eastern cuisine
- Discover Middle Eastern recipes that have been passed down through generations
- Unique, nontouristy culinary experience with a local in the greater Los Angeles area
Detailed Itinerary
The journey, in full
Meal Description: Meet your host, Jacqueline, at her charming California ranch-style home in Reseda, Los Angeles. Relax with a welcome drink in her garden before indulging in a gourmet Middle Eastern feast. Savor a four-course meal featuring dishes like baba ghanoush, mussakhan, or falafel, infused with California’s fresh produce and flavors of sumac, za’atar, and cardamom. End with a sweet treat like baklava and Arabic coffee. Enjoy an evening of food, culture, and lively conversation—perhaps even some belly dancing! Cooking Class Description: Meet your host Jacqueline at her California ranch-style house in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley for your cooking class in the greater Los Angeles metro area. Her home has a garden with colorful flowers, citrus trees and a hammock. Sip on a welcome drink of traditional Arabic arak or a non-alcoholic refreshing beverage as Jacqueline shares stories about her life in Southern California. Then join your host in her kitchen and learn to transform Californian produce into an authentic Middle-eastern meal with spices like cumin, sumac and za'atar that Jacqueline brings back from her travels. Learn Middle-eastern recipes that have been passed down through generations of her family. Your hands-on cooking class (or cooking demo if you prefer to just watch) will last about 1.5 hours. During your cooking lesson, you will learn to cook a four-course meal that includes two appetizers, one main, and a dessert from scratch. The choices for appetizers include hummus, baba ghannouj, foul meddamas, and fattoush. For the main, you will cook either shawarma, kabob or shish tawook if you're a meat-lover or falafel or manakeesh (savory pastries) if you are vegetarian. For dessert, Jacqueline can teach you how to prepare either baklava, hareesah or knafeh. The fresh, tasty and unique dishes that you will cook and eat are prepared from recipes that locals in the Middle East use every day. Jacqueline will also share some of her best-kept secrets on how to prepare some of the most notable Middle Eastern foods. While cooking, you will enjoy a positive atmosphere - laughing, learning and maybe even belly dancing! After cooking, enjoy your private meal over conversation with Jacqueline as she shares stories about Middle Eastern food and traditions. Your meal will conclude with dessert and Arabic coffee with hints of cardamom or mint or chamomile herbal tea. On days they are available, Jacqueline's husband George, and brother Jad may join you at the dining table. If you have a special dish you would like to learn, include your request when creating your reservation request and Jacqueline will do her best to teach you how to prepare it. Please note that the host offers multiple tour options combining the activities described above. Your tour itinerary will be determined by the combo option you select when booking your tour.
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Los Angeles
Cooking Class.
Continued
Los Angeles
Food Tasting.
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Restrictions
Children 3 or below are free of charge.
Meeting & Pickup
This experience takes place at the host's private home in Los Angeles. The host's exact address and meeting location notes will be provided upon booking confirmation.
Languages Offered
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Before Booking
Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Planning Notes
Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
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