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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Tina

Tbilisi, Georgia

USD
$139-$195 per person

Traditional Georgian cooking class in Tbilisi with a local family

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

Meet Tina

Tinatin (Tina) lives with her large family close to the Tbilisi Mall. She learned to cook from her mother and still uses her grandmother’s recipes. Tina has a big family - she lives with her spouse and seven children. You can usually find Tina in the kitchen preparing a big meal for them. Join Tina in her modest, family home to experience Georgian cuisine - a melting pot of a variety of flavors and new ingredients that you may never have tasted before. You may even get to meet the whole family but if not you will still see their artistic scribbles on the walls!

"I love hosting people from different countries and showing them the best part of my city, which I love very much!"

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: (1-7 guests) Tina and her family live in a traditional Georgian home, it is modestly furnished in a traditional style - filled with books, antiques, maps, and artwork created by the family (the younger daughter is an artist). Traces of the family history can be seen throughout their home, from photo collages to paintings on the walls.

You will be greeted warmly with smiles from Tina, and her children (if they are around). Tina will serve a traditional Georgian meal from the Lechkhumi , Imerety Racha and Samegrelo region where her and her husband ' s parents' ancestors are from. A few dishes that you may taste at Tina's dining table are, a fresh tomato and cucumber salad, chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (Georgian dumpling). Your meal will conclude with the sweet churchkhela, a traditional candy made by repeatedly dipping a long string of nuts in tatara – a mixture of flour, sugar and badagi (concentrated grape juice) or dry fruits.

Cooking experience: (1-7 guests) Tina offers a hands-on cooking experience - you will get to cook along with her in her kitchen. In your Georgian cooking class in in Tbilisi learn to make 2-3 dishes such as lobio (a traditional Georgian medley of beans), chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs) or khachapuri (cheese-filled bread). Tina will share the recipes and preparation method throughout the cooking process so be ready to take a lot of notes! Your class will last about two hours and more after which you will join Tina at the dining table to share the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-7 guests) Tina will meet you at the main entrance of Dezerter Bazaar for your market tour. She will be happy to guide you through the many interesting lanes en-route to the market. This is a lively indoor marketplace for fruits and vegetables, piles of spices and colorful, handmade candles. Discover regional produce as Tina gives you a tour of this local market - you may even purchase a few fresh ingredients that you will use in your cooking class.

Notes: If you choose the optional transportation add-on, you will be picked up and dropped off from your central Tbilisi hotel.

Languages spoken: Georgian, English, Russian

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.
  • Chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs)
  • Shkmeruli
  • Pkhali
  • Gomi and Chadi
  • Something on demand
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Teo and her family are the personification of Georgian hospitality. IT WAS FANTASTIC! I had already tried almost all of the dishes she prepared, but she had her own unique take on them. She sent me home with leftovers! Teo is so warm, welcoming and a true global citizen - open-minded and inquisitive. We talked well beyond our meal and even made plans to walk around the city together. We shared our travel stories and favourite places, books, and music. Her entire family was completely charming and welcoming as well. A special culinary moment was cooking with Teo’s younger siblings (including her 8-year-old brother) who helped prepare almost everything. Stirring over the stove, poking air holes in the khachapuri, and sharing the meal together was very special. Family is the most important thing in Georgian culture, and guests are considered a gift from God. They really made me feel part of the family — and already invited me back!

Maria, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (21)
Tina met us at Desertiz Bazar in the morning, we had a 30min walk around the market and selected everything we needed. One of us did not eat meat, one ate everything, and one was a child - Tina attended to all of our needs, and we chose only the products that would meet our need, which is super cool. Then we drove to Tinas place, and started cooking. About 10 different meals, which was way more than enough :) Then our son got sleepy, so Tina aranged a bed for him to sleep in, and he slept there for more than an hour :) We finished eating around noon, and we really enjoyed the whole experience.
- Vytauta July 31, 2022
Tina was a wonderful host. Asked me what I would like to make and helped with recipes. Really nice to be in the home of a local.
- Cherie_A May 28, 2022
When I saw the sentence “likely to sell out” next to this cooking class I knew it was going to be the most memorable cooking class in my life, and it WAS! I’m still getting people asking me about it and telling me that they’d love to try it out after seeing the posts in my social media. We cooked a few of the most authentic dishes in Georgia and they turned out extremely delicious, and the best part is that you can choose what dishes you want to cook, then you go to the market and shop for the ingredients before starting the class. In fact it didn’t feel like a class it felt like cooking with my aunt. Mrs Tina was extremely hospitable and sweet there was literally no dull moment with her. To sum it up, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by booking this class
- Fatima F May 17, 2022
This was a unique experience! It was a rather unstructured, chaotic sort of evening. The host is Tina and the website needs updating as the pictures and description refer to her daughter Teo, who hasn't been running the event for several years. We basically sat in Tina's kitchen as she cooked huge quantities of Georgian food. We liked meeting her family and she was a lovely lady.
- Holly April 04, 2022
Do not hesitate to discover this golden family! The visit to the market is very practical, Tina answers all your questions and her home is a little piece of timeless paradise. The house of happiness where you will enjoy yourself. It's a great moment of sharing that you won't be able to do without!! (Translated by Google)
- Elisage February 05, 2022
Read More

Tina

$139-$195 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $149
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $195 $169 $139
Alcohol
 $18 per person
Transportation
 $90 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $149
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $195 $169 $139
Alcohol
 $18 per person
Transportation
 $90 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 2:30pm-6:30pm

Meet Tina

Tinatin (Tina) lives with her large family close to the Tbilisi Mall. She learned to cook from her mother and still uses her grandmother’s recipes. Tina has a big family - she lives with her spouse and seven children. You can usually find Tina in the kitchen preparing a big meal for them. Join Tina in her modest, family home to experience Georgian cuisine - a melting pot of a variety of flavors and new ingredients that you may never have tasted before. You may even get to meet the whole family but if not you will still see their artistic scribbles on the walls!

"I love hosting people from different countries and showing them the best part of my city, which I love very much!"

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: (1-7 guests) Tina and her family live in a traditional Georgian home, it is modestly furnished in a traditional style - filled with books, antiques, maps, and artwork created by the family (the younger daughter is an artist). Traces of the family history can be seen throughout their home, from photo collages to paintings on the walls.

You will be greeted warmly with smiles from Tina, and her children (if they are around). Tina will serve a traditional Georgian meal from the Lechkhumi , Imerety Racha and Samegrelo region where her and her husband ' s parents' ancestors are from. A few dishes that you may taste at Tina's dining table are, a fresh tomato and cucumber salad, chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs), khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (Georgian dumpling). Your meal will conclude with the sweet churchkhela, a traditional candy made by repeatedly dipping a long string of nuts in tatara – a mixture of flour, sugar and badagi (concentrated grape juice) or dry fruits.

Cooking experience: (1-7 guests) Tina offers a hands-on cooking experience - you will get to cook along with her in her kitchen. In your Georgian cooking class in in Tbilisi learn to make 2-3 dishes such as lobio (a traditional Georgian medley of beans), chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs) or khachapuri (cheese-filled bread). Tina will share the recipes and preparation method throughout the cooking process so be ready to take a lot of notes! Your class will last about two hours and more after which you will join Tina at the dining table to share the meal you helped prepare.

Market visit: (1-7 guests) Tina will meet you at the main entrance of Dezerter Bazaar for your market tour. She will be happy to guide you through the many interesting lanes en-route to the market. This is a lively indoor marketplace for fruits and vegetables, piles of spices and colorful, handmade candles. Discover regional produce as Tina gives you a tour of this local market - you may even purchase a few fresh ingredients that you will use in your cooking class.

Notes: If you choose the optional transportation add-on, you will be picked up and dropped off from your central Tbilisi hotel.

Languages spoken: Georgian, English, Russian

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.
  • Chakhokhbili (stewed chicken with fresh herbs)
  • Shkmeruli
  • Pkhali
  • Gomi and Chadi
  • Something on demand
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Teo and her family are the personification of Georgian hospitality. IT WAS FANTASTIC! I had already tried almost all of the dishes she prepared, but she had her own unique take on them. She sent me home with leftovers! Teo is so warm, welcoming and a true global citizen - open-minded and inquisitive. We talked well beyond our meal and even made plans to walk around the city together. We shared our travel stories and favourite places, books, and music. Her entire family was completely charming and welcoming as well. A special culinary moment was cooking with Teo’s younger siblings (including her 8-year-old brother) who helped prepare almost everything. Stirring over the stove, poking air holes in the khachapuri, and sharing the meal together was very special. Family is the most important thing in Georgian culture, and guests are considered a gift from God. They really made me feel part of the family — and already invited me back!

Maria, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (21)
Tina met us at Desertiz Bazar in the morning, we had a 30min walk around the market and selected everything we needed. One of us did not eat meat, one ate everything, and one was a child - Tina attended to all of our needs, and we chose only the products that would meet our need, which is super cool. Then we drove to Tinas place, and started cooking. About 10 different meals, which was way more than enough :) Then our son got sleepy, so Tina aranged a bed for him to sleep in, and he slept there for more than an hour :) We finished eating around noon, and we really enjoyed the whole experience.
- Vytauta July 31, 2022
Tina was a wonderful host. Asked me what I would like to make and helped with recipes. Really nice to be in the home of a local.
- Cherie_A May 28, 2022
When I saw the sentence “likely to sell out” next to this cooking class I knew it was going to be the most memorable cooking class in my life, and it WAS! I’m still getting people asking me about it and telling me that they’d love to try it out after seeing the posts in my social media. We cooked a few of the most authentic dishes in Georgia and they turned out extremely delicious, and the best part is that you can choose what dishes you want to cook, then you go to the market and shop for the ingredients before starting the class. In fact it didn’t feel like a class it felt like cooking with my aunt. Mrs Tina was extremely hospitable and sweet there was literally no dull moment with her. To sum it up, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by booking this class
- Fatima F May 17, 2022
This was a unique experience! It was a rather unstructured, chaotic sort of evening. The host is Tina and the website needs updating as the pictures and description refer to her daughter Teo, who hasn't been running the event for several years. We basically sat in Tina's kitchen as she cooked huge quantities of Georgian food. We liked meeting her family and she was a lovely lady.
- Holly April 04, 2022
Do not hesitate to discover this golden family! The visit to the market is very practical, Tina answers all your questions and her home is a little piece of timeless paradise. The house of happiness where you will enjoy yourself. It's a great moment of sharing that you won't be able to do without!! (Translated by Google)
- Elisage February 05, 2022
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $149
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $195 $169 $139
Alcohol
 $18 per person
Transportation
 $90 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $185 $159 $149
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $195 $169 $139
Alcohol
 $18 per person
Transportation
 $90 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:00pm-3:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 2:30pm-6:30pm
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.