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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Marco

Kriens, Switzerland

USD
$205-$225 per person

Small Group Swiss cooking class in Kriens with a professional chef

Host offerings
  • Cooking studio
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Marco

Marco is a trained chef based in Kriens, Switzerland. He gained his culinary expertise working in professional kitchens and pastry bakeries before opening his own successful restaurant. Marco specializes in local Swiss cuisine, as well as vegetarian and flexitarian dishes made with seasonal ingredients. In addition to cooking, he runs a non profit initiative supporting young people facing challenging life circumstances, teaching them kitchen skills, confidence, and life balance. For Marco, food is not just a profession but a way to create connection, purpose, and community.

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: (2-6 guests) Join Marco for a small-group, authentic Swiss cooking class in Kriens, just outside Lucerne, held in his professional restaurant kitchen designed for hands on teaching. During this two hour cooking class, you will prepare three traditional Swiss dishes from scratch including a seasonal starter, a main course, and dessert, then sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped create. Marco is passionate about sharing Swiss culture through food and offers a truly local experience, with vegetarian options available upon request. Your experience takes place in Marco’s charming restaurant housed in a 150 year old building decorated in a warm shabby chic style, featuring handmade tables crafted from original doors on the property. Located near Mount Pilatus, this cooking class offers travelers a rare opportunity to taste authentic local cuisine in Switzerland. Learn about Swiss cheese, chocolate, and regional ingredients while enjoying local meats and cheeses, salad, knöpfli, and Swiss chocolate cake with pink peppercorn. Wine is included in the cost of your experience.

Notes: Please note that vegetarian and lactose free meals can be accommodated upon request. Unlike most Traveling Spoon experiences, this cooking class is a shared, small-group experience (not private) that takes place in Marco’s restaurant. The restaurant is easily accessible, located about a 13 minute bus ride from Lucerne main train station to the Zentrum Pilatus bus stop in Kriens.

Languages spoken: English, German

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.
  • Small seasonal salad and appetizer
  • Knöpfli | Homemade Swiss pasta
  • Warm chocolate cake with pink peppercorn
  • Wine
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Marco’s cooking evening was a wonderful experience for us. In the end, it was as if we had been invited to an old friend’s house for dinner. Even though we are foodies and have lived in Switzerland for 6 years, we learned so much from Marco. He is an expert in foraging and taught us so much about herbs that can be picked along hiking trails in Switzerland. He even had us taste some pickled dandelion heads that he had made. Our daughter’s favorite dish was the chocolate cake. And for the grownups, it was a revelation to put pink peppercorns in the cake! We learned so many cooking tips and tricks from how to pickle dandelion heads to the best water temperature in which to soak pots and pans. I can absolutely recommend that couples and families visit Marco in his charming teaching-based restaurant to learn a fresh take on traditional Swiss cooking.

April , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (7)
This was one of the best meals and conversations we had throughout the whole trip! Would definitely recommend! The outside patio where we ate was beautiful and being able to help cook the meal was very fun.
- Rachel April 02, 2025
Marco was awesome! We enjoyed the entire experience. 5 stars for him! However you NEED to correct the address. You sent us to the wrong place. We asked a couple of different shop owners if they knew where "Marco's Restaurant" was, but no one had ever heard of it! We wandered around for 30 minutes looking for it and were about to give up but Marco came and found us (saying he has had the same problem with Viator bookings in the past). He explained that Viator did not allow the use of the actual name of the restaurant, which explains why no one could help us find it. TRAVELING SPOON RESPONSE: Dear Joe, We are so glad you enjoyed your experience! Thank you so much for leaving such a heartwarming review and for your helpful feedback. We have now corrected the meeting location - it now includes the exact name and address so there is no confusion for our future travelers. We really appreciate you helping us improve. Sincerely, Aashi
- Joe_B August 20, 2024
Hanging out with Marco and his cute assistant in his kitchen! Really fun experience for our first trip to Switzerland!
- Jennifer June 01, 2023
I booked this cooking class for my mom, my sister, and me. We loved it! Marco’s accommodations are beautiful and homey with a kitchen that is practical enough for a few tourists but professional enough for the incredible chef that he is! Together, he guided us through a delicious chnöpfli (recipe included to make once we get home), a garden-fresh salad, and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. We learned more about Swiss culture and cuisine in our few hours with Marco than we did the few days prior. Our favorite part (besides the food) was just the intimate setting of this experience. Whether you’re staying in Zurich or Lucerne, it’s worth making the trek to Marco’s fun-loving, informative kitchen to experience this all for yourself!
- Jessica April 20, 2023
We were very impressed by the topic of pepper and we learned a lot from it. We had a lot of fun cooking together in a relaxed atmosphere, the special appetizer, salad, main course and dessert was varied and we really enjoyed it. Then the eatery is awesome, you just have to see it. You can also cook for yourself. . This alone is worth a trip. (translated by Google)
- Lisa_M January 05, 2023
What a fun experience. We had the restaurant to ourselves with Marco, and it was a fun time. There were 6 of us and everyone participated in the cooking process. Marco made sure everyone was comfortable and had a role to play in making our meal. The meal was delicious and we would recommend to anyone to try it. It's relaxing and enjoyable. Marco joins you for the meal, and the conversation is an added bonus to the experience.
- Arlene_W July 08, 2022
On our last day in Lucerne, we attended a class by Chef Marco. Since we were the only couple, we had a private lesson. He welcomed us with an appetivo and cheese as we chatted about the menu. The kitchen was spotless and well organized. He explained everything as we set our our mise en place and involved us in every step of the meal prep and cooking. We made chnopfli, ( a type of American macaroni and cheese, with spatzle) salad from his chef garden, and flourless chocolate cake. As we sat down at a table in his quaint dining room, he served us delicious German white wine and our meal. I highly recommend this experience of enhancing your culinary skills and learning about Swiss cuisine and cooking as part of your Switzerland experience if you are in the Lucerne area!
- Robert_G April 02, 2022
Read More

Marco

$205-$225 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 $225 $205
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $225 $205
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-1:30pm 4:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Marco

Marco is a trained chef based in Kriens, Switzerland. He gained his culinary expertise working in professional kitchens and pastry bakeries before opening his own successful restaurant. Marco specializes in local Swiss cuisine, as well as vegetarian and flexitarian dishes made with seasonal ingredients. In addition to cooking, he runs a non profit initiative supporting young people facing challenging life circumstances, teaching them kitchen skills, confidence, and life balance. For Marco, food is not just a profession but a way to create connection, purpose, and community.

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: (2-6 guests) Join Marco for a small-group, authentic Swiss cooking class in Kriens, just outside Lucerne, held in his professional restaurant kitchen designed for hands on teaching. During this two hour cooking class, you will prepare three traditional Swiss dishes from scratch including a seasonal starter, a main course, and dessert, then sit down together to enjoy the meal you helped create. Marco is passionate about sharing Swiss culture through food and offers a truly local experience, with vegetarian options available upon request. Your experience takes place in Marco’s charming restaurant housed in a 150 year old building decorated in a warm shabby chic style, featuring handmade tables crafted from original doors on the property. Located near Mount Pilatus, this cooking class offers travelers a rare opportunity to taste authentic local cuisine in Switzerland. Learn about Swiss cheese, chocolate, and regional ingredients while enjoying local meats and cheeses, salad, knöpfli, and Swiss chocolate cake with pink peppercorn. Wine is included in the cost of your experience.

Notes: Please note that vegetarian and lactose free meals can be accommodated upon request. Unlike most Traveling Spoon experiences, this cooking class is a shared, small-group experience (not private) that takes place in Marco’s restaurant. The restaurant is easily accessible, located about a 13 minute bus ride from Lucerne main train station to the Zentrum Pilatus bus stop in Kriens.

Languages spoken: English, German

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.
  • Small seasonal salad and appetizer
  • Knöpfli | Homemade Swiss pasta
  • Warm chocolate cake with pink peppercorn
  • Wine
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Marco’s cooking evening was a wonderful experience for us. In the end, it was as if we had been invited to an old friend’s house for dinner. Even though we are foodies and have lived in Switzerland for 6 years, we learned so much from Marco. He is an expert in foraging and taught us so much about herbs that can be picked along hiking trails in Switzerland. He even had us taste some pickled dandelion heads that he had made. Our daughter’s favorite dish was the chocolate cake. And for the grownups, it was a revelation to put pink peppercorns in the cake! We learned so many cooking tips and tricks from how to pickle dandelion heads to the best water temperature in which to soak pots and pans. I can absolutely recommend that couples and families visit Marco in his charming teaching-based restaurant to learn a fresh take on traditional Swiss cooking.

April , Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.86 (7)
This was one of the best meals and conversations we had throughout the whole trip! Would definitely recommend! The outside patio where we ate was beautiful and being able to help cook the meal was very fun.
- Rachel April 02, 2025
Marco was awesome! We enjoyed the entire experience. 5 stars for him! However you NEED to correct the address. You sent us to the wrong place. We asked a couple of different shop owners if they knew where "Marco's Restaurant" was, but no one had ever heard of it! We wandered around for 30 minutes looking for it and were about to give up but Marco came and found us (saying he has had the same problem with Viator bookings in the past). He explained that Viator did not allow the use of the actual name of the restaurant, which explains why no one could help us find it. TRAVELING SPOON RESPONSE: Dear Joe, We are so glad you enjoyed your experience! Thank you so much for leaving such a heartwarming review and for your helpful feedback. We have now corrected the meeting location - it now includes the exact name and address so there is no confusion for our future travelers. We really appreciate you helping us improve. Sincerely, Aashi
- Joe_B August 20, 2024
Hanging out with Marco and his cute assistant in his kitchen! Really fun experience for our first trip to Switzerland!
- Jennifer June 01, 2023
I booked this cooking class for my mom, my sister, and me. We loved it! Marco’s accommodations are beautiful and homey with a kitchen that is practical enough for a few tourists but professional enough for the incredible chef that he is! Together, he guided us through a delicious chnöpfli (recipe included to make once we get home), a garden-fresh salad, and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake. We learned more about Swiss culture and cuisine in our few hours with Marco than we did the few days prior. Our favorite part (besides the food) was just the intimate setting of this experience. Whether you’re staying in Zurich or Lucerne, it’s worth making the trek to Marco’s fun-loving, informative kitchen to experience this all for yourself!
- Jessica April 20, 2023
We were very impressed by the topic of pepper and we learned a lot from it. We had a lot of fun cooking together in a relaxed atmosphere, the special appetizer, salad, main course and dessert was varied and we really enjoyed it. Then the eatery is awesome, you just have to see it. You can also cook for yourself. . This alone is worth a trip. (translated by Google)
- Lisa_M January 05, 2023
What a fun experience. We had the restaurant to ourselves with Marco, and it was a fun time. There were 6 of us and everyone participated in the cooking process. Marco made sure everyone was comfortable and had a role to play in making our meal. The meal was delicious and we would recommend to anyone to try it. It's relaxing and enjoyable. Marco joins you for the meal, and the conversation is an added bonus to the experience.
- Arlene_W July 08, 2022
On our last day in Lucerne, we attended a class by Chef Marco. Since we were the only couple, we had a private lesson. He welcomed us with an appetivo and cheese as we chatted about the menu. The kitchen was spotless and well organized. He explained everything as we set our our mise en place and involved us in every step of the meal prep and cooking. We made chnopfli, ( a type of American macaroni and cheese, with spatzle) salad from his chef garden, and flourless chocolate cake. As we sat down at a table in his quaint dining room, he served us delicious German white wine and our meal. I highly recommend this experience of enhancing your culinary skills and learning about Swiss cuisine and cooking as part of your Switzerland experience if you are in the Lucerne area!
- Robert_G April 02, 2022
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $225 $205
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $225 $205
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-1:30pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
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.