Authentic Moroccan Cooking in Casablanca

Meet Chamsi

Chamsi says that coming to Morocco can be overwhelming – in a good way! The sounds, the smells, and the local culture can be a mystery to visitors and meeting Chamsi is the perfect way to dig beneath the surface and connect with local life in a more personal and meaningful way. Chamsi is an Algerian-Canadian, married to a Moroccan. She and her husband have lived in Casablanca for nine years and in that time she has come to love the local way of life. Of course, food has been central to her experience! She learned the ins and outs of Moroccan cooking from the best home cook she knows – her mother in law, Lala Naima. They believe that true, authentic Moroccan food is best when prepared at home and she is excited to share her recipes with travelers.

Chamsi is a professional photographer and has a great sense of color and texture, which means her food is both delicious and pleasing to the eye! She lives in a beautiful, newly built home with a large kitchen that is perfect for entertaining. Chamsi has a young son who might be home during your visit. Curious to know more? Read a recent journalist’s account of her experience with Chamsi in the article, "A Casablanca Lunch That Changed How I Think About Hospitality.

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: (1-20 guests) Join Chamsi and her family in their lovely Casablanca home for an authentic Moroccan dining experience featuring traditional, home-style dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Experience Moroccan hospitality around the family table while discovering the flavors, ingredients, and culinary traditions of everyday life in Casablanca. Your traditional Moroccan meal may include lamb tagine with seasonal vegetables, Moroccan lemon chicken with olives, couscous, marinated and grilled local seafood, or other seasonal specialties. Accompaniments might include tchackchouka (roasted bell pepper salad), zaalouk (Moroccan eggplant salad), and homemade bread. End your meal with a traditional Moroccan dessert such as milk pastilla, oranges with cinnamon, or Moroccan cookies. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated, and all meat served is halal. Kosher meat can also be sourced with advance notice. Please share any dietary restrictions or special requests when booking so Chamsi can plan your meal accordingly.

Cooking experience: (1-8 guests) Join Chamsi for a hands-on Moroccan cooking class in Casablanca and learn to prepare traditional Moroccan dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Hosted in the spacious open kitchen of Chamsi’s home in the upscale CIL neighborhood, this private cooking experience offers an authentic introduction to Moroccan home cooking, culinary traditions, and local flavors. Roll up your sleeves and cook alongside Chamsi as she shares traditional techniques, favorite ingredients, and family recipes. You’ll spend approximately one hour preparing an authentic Moroccan meal, with plenty of opportunities to participate and ask questions along the way. Some elements of the meal may be prepared in advance so you can focus on the most engaging parts of the cooking process. After your Moroccan cooking class, sit down with Chamsi to enjoy the delicious home-style meal you helped prepare while learning more about Moroccan food, culture, and everyday life in Casablanca.

Market visit: (1-4 guests) Meet Chamsi at her home in CIL, an upscale neighborhood in Casablanca, and begin your experience with a refreshing drink as you get to know your local host. Then, head out together for a guided Casablanca market tour to discover where locals shop for fresh ingredients and experience everyday Moroccan food culture. Explore a lively local food market in Casablanca as Chamsi introduces you to her favorite produce vendors, fragrant Moroccan spices, fresh meat, and other ingredients commonly used in traditional Moroccan cooking. She’ll help you navigate the bustling market, explain unfamiliar ingredients, and share how she selects produce and spices for her own kitchen. If you're looking for a particular Moroccan spice or ingredient to take home, Chamsi can also help you shop for it. After your market tour, return by car to Chamsi’s home, where you’ll use fresh, local ingredients during your hands-on Moroccan cooking class and prepare an authentic home-style meal together. Please note: Friday is a prayer day in Morocco, so Friday morning markets may be quieter than usual and some stalls may be closed. Friday evening market tours are not available.

Notes:
1. Family Friendly: This is a family-friendly experience, and children of all ages are welcome!
2. Large Groups: Planning a larger gathering? Chamsi can host private groups of up to 24 guests. Please book her Large Group Moroccan Cooking Experience on our Casablanca page.
3. Experiences During Ramadan: Experience Ramadan in Morocco by breaking the fast with a local family and enjoying a traditional Iftar meal in Chamsi’s home. Gather around the family table at sunset for authentic Moroccan dishes, homemade recipes, and cherished culinary traditions. Expect a generous, convivial meal where conversation, hospitality, and culture are as much a part of the experience as the food. Please note that market tours during Ramadan will not include food tastings due to fasting hours. Instead, Chamsi will guide you through the market to discover and select ingredients before returning to her home to continue the culinary experience and enjoy Iftar together.

Languages spoken: English, French, Arabic, Spanish (beginner)

Sample menu

• Lamb/beef/chicken tagine with seasonal vegetables or Fish/seafood grilled or Camel burger or Mhencha (spicy fish spring roll)
• Couscous
• Moroccan salads (eggplant, tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers)
• Milk pastilla

Traveler reviews

Wonderful time with Chamsi. She’s very engaging and we’ve found a new friend. We spent the morning shopping in a Casablanca market greeting various vendors - fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, meats, eggs, bakery and wine. We assisted in the preparation and enjoyed it immensely. Upon arriving at the drop off point for return to our cruise the shuttle attendee asked about our adventure. When we described it he said, “what a quality and fun day YOU has!” We couldn’t agree more! Thanks, Chamsi. Sam (I am) and Lara

- sam and lara April 22, 2026

Wow, what an enriching experience! First and foremost, Chamsi, our hostess. Incredibly generous, she shared her passion for Moroccan culture with us through its cuisine. She introduced us to the kindness of the vendors during our shopping at the market and the quality and variety of their products. Together, we cooked and enjoyed our meal at her home while discovering Morocco…and her equally warm family :) Thank you, Chamsi, for your hospitality, your generosity, and your professionalism. You've inspired us to continue exploring Morocco.

- patty April 09, 2026

We had such a fantastic experience cooking (and eating!) an authentic Moroccan meal at Chamsi's home in Casablanca. My wife and I were visiting from the US and we were looking for a real, genuine, home-cooked Moroccan meal and the cooking experience with Chamsi did not disappoint. We learned a ton from her and her family about Moroccan food, culture and customs, with a delicious meal on top of it.

- greg January 26, 2026

What an amazing experience!! Chamsi is such a warm and welcoming person with some mad cooking skills. We started at the market and were able to select what we wanted to cook. The cooking was so fun and the conversation even better. Don't miss out on this one!! Thank you, Chamsi. It was so great to meet you and your family!

- queen December 31, 2025

Book it. I was on an 11 stop/24 day cruise and this was MY FAVORITE experience. Chamsi, my host was beyond gracious. We went to an incredible market. There of course was a limit in what I could carry home! I'm still crying. But I did buy wonderful items. Then to this fancy French/Moroccan bakery! It was so good. THEN the main event! Cooking together at her beautiful home. Welcoming, relaxing & stimulating with conversation. We had a feast. Wedding chicken (so good - i have recipe) also a beautiful smoked eggplant & tomato spread. Plus plus plus other wonderful local accompaniments. Bravo & thank you so much Chamsi!!

- Michell December 01, 2025