Cookies! They are not just something we eat. This site uses cookies so we can provide you the best user experience and deliver advertising and offers that are relevant to you. To read more about our cookie policy, including how to change your cookie settings, please read our Privacy and Cookie Policy. By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our cookie policy.
I accept
VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Maria (Cruise)

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

USD
$350 per person

Azorean Cooking Class in Ponta Delgada with Port Transfers

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Maria (Cruise)

Maria grew up in the Azores in a small village of 10,000 people. Her parents were farmers, as were her grandparents who had a large farm that exported produce from garlic to oranges to watermelon to Portugal. After studying social work and practicing family therapy for years in Portugal, Maria moved back to the Azores to find a more peaceful life that connected her with her lifelong passion of food. She bought house on a small plot of land with an orchard where she grows figs, apples, pears, almonds, oranges and more. Living in the subtropical climate of the Azores, Maria also is able to grow a variety of tropical fruits including papaya, guava and lychee. Maria is passionate about meeting and learning from new people and is excited to invite people from around the world into her home to enjoy fresh, seasonal Azorean cooking.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Travel inland from the port in Ponta Delgada and discover the culture through food, in this Azorean cooking class in a local home, in Fenais da Luz. We recommend all cruise travelers this Ponta Delgada Excursion, for a true and authentic taste of local cuisine. Maria is excited to share her culture through food in this authentic Azorean cooking class in Ponta Delgade. After a welcome drink, snack and tour of Maria’s garden and home, start your cooking class. Your experience can either be hands on or a demonstration, so please note which you would prefer when making your booking. During your cooking class learn how to make a traditional Azorean meal featuring seasonal ingredients. You will learn how to make a soup such as a traditional fish soup, followed by two main dishes of a fish and meat dish. Then end your experience learning to make a dessert like rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (featuring passion fruit from Maria’s garden when in season!).

Maria’s recipes have been passed down through her mom and grandmother and Maria is passionate about showcasing her family and island’s culinary history with guests. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your traditional Azorean family-style meal, which will be served either at the grape-vine covered terrace, in summer months, or at Maria’s dining table in colder months. End your meal with a selection of coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs or wine. If there is a specific dish you want to learn to make, like octopus, please note this during your booking. Maria will be happy to accommodate your requests!

Notes: Your Ponta Delgada Shore Excursion includes a hands-on cooking class, a glass of local alcohol and pick-up and drop off from Ponta Delgada cruise terminal.

On days Maria is unavailable, her equally wonderful team, Deborah and Andreia, will host your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Portuguese

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.
  • Soup
  • A fish and meat main dish
  • Rice pudding or passion fruit mousse
  • Coffee or tea
  • Homemade liqueurs or wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Cooking with Maria was such a great experience. She is very friendly/personable and we all cooked together to make traditional azorean food. I loved walking around her garden…her back yard is so beautiful. Definitely recommend scheduling this if you’re looking for an activity to do while in são miguel.
- Brittney July 15, 2025
Maria met us at the market and showed us things we never would have seen or understood. While we were buying produce, she would often say “we’ll pick that in my yard!” , and we did! We got back to Maria’s home and toured her extensive garden, the came in and got to work. We made a soup (Caldo Verde), a dish whose name I don’t remember, and a dessert (tarta de natas). Since this cooking class was just my husband and me, we definitely got personal treatment. The food was delicious and Maria was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone I know who travels to São Miguel. Thank you, Maria!
- Ron April 21, 2025
Learning about local foods and the culture. Maria shared a lot of information with us and was very responsive to all of our questions.
- Sandra May 14, 2024
Online Class Review
Our family spent an afternoon online with Maria in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Maria is personable, fun and full of interesting details and stories about the Azores. Our beef stew and roasted fish was delicious, with easy-to-find ingredients and clear instructions. I would never have thought to put a cinnamon stick in to simmer with beef stew, and now I don't think I'll make it any other way!
- Heather Patton May 15, 2020

Maria (Cruise)

$350 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
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $350 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $350 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm

Meet Maria (Cruise)

Maria grew up in the Azores in a small village of 10,000 people. Her parents were farmers, as were her grandparents who had a large farm that exported produce from garlic to oranges to watermelon to Portugal. After studying social work and practicing family therapy for years in Portugal, Maria moved back to the Azores to find a more peaceful life that connected her with her lifelong passion of food. She bought house on a small plot of land with an orchard where she grows figs, apples, pears, almonds, oranges and more. Living in the subtropical climate of the Azores, Maria also is able to grow a variety of tropical fruits including papaya, guava and lychee. Maria is passionate about meeting and learning from new people and is excited to invite people from around the world into her home to enjoy fresh, seasonal Azorean cooking.

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.

Cooking experience: (2-4 guests) Travel inland from the port in Ponta Delgada and discover the culture through food, in this Azorean cooking class in a local home, in Fenais da Luz. We recommend all cruise travelers this Ponta Delgada Excursion, for a true and authentic taste of local cuisine. Maria is excited to share her culture through food in this authentic Azorean cooking class in Ponta Delgade. After a welcome drink, snack and tour of Maria’s garden and home, start your cooking class. Your experience can either be hands on or a demonstration, so please note which you would prefer when making your booking. During your cooking class learn how to make a traditional Azorean meal featuring seasonal ingredients. You will learn how to make a soup such as a traditional fish soup, followed by two main dishes of a fish and meat dish. Then end your experience learning to make a dessert like rice pudding or passion fruit mousse (featuring passion fruit from Maria’s garden when in season!).

Maria’s recipes have been passed down through her mom and grandmother and Maria is passionate about showcasing her family and island’s culinary history with guests. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your traditional Azorean family-style meal, which will be served either at the grape-vine covered terrace, in summer months, or at Maria’s dining table in colder months. End your meal with a selection of coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs or wine. If there is a specific dish you want to learn to make, like octopus, please note this during your booking. Maria will be happy to accommodate your requests!

Notes: Your Ponta Delgada Shore Excursion includes a hands-on cooking class, a glass of local alcohol and pick-up and drop off from Ponta Delgada cruise terminal.

On days Maria is unavailable, her equally wonderful team, Deborah and Andreia, will host your experience.

Languages spoken: English, Portuguese

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.
  • Soup
  • A fish and meat main dish
  • Rice pudding or passion fruit mousse
  • Coffee or tea
  • Homemade liqueurs or wine

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Cooking with Maria was such a great experience. She is very friendly/personable and we all cooked together to make traditional azorean food. I loved walking around her garden…her back yard is so beautiful. Definitely recommend scheduling this if you’re looking for an activity to do while in são miguel.
- Brittney July 15, 2025
Maria met us at the market and showed us things we never would have seen or understood. While we were buying produce, she would often say “we’ll pick that in my yard!” , and we did! We got back to Maria’s home and toured her extensive garden, the came in and got to work. We made a soup (Caldo Verde), a dish whose name I don’t remember, and a dessert (tarta de natas). Since this cooking class was just my husband and me, we definitely got personal treatment. The food was delicious and Maria was very knowledgeable and friendly. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone I know who travels to São Miguel. Thank you, Maria!
- Ron April 21, 2025
Learning about local foods and the culture. Maria shared a lot of information with us and was very responsive to all of our questions.
- Sandra May 14, 2024
Online Class Review
Our family spent an afternoon online with Maria in Ponta Delgada, Azores. Maria is personable, fun and full of interesting details and stories about the Azores. Our beef stew and roasted fish was delicious, with easy-to-find ingredients and clear instructions. I would never have thought to put a cinnamon stick in to simmer with beef stew, and now I don't think I'll make it any other way!
- Heather Patton May 15, 2020
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $350 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $350 Not offered
Alcohol
 $0 per person
Transportation
 $0 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 9:30am-1:30pm
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.