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Host: Maria

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal

USD
$179-$535 per person

Azores Market Tour & Cooking Class in Ponta Delgada

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Round-Trip Transfers
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Maria

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.

In-home meal: (2-25 guests) Experience authentic Azorean hospitality with a private, home-cooked meal at Maria's farmhouse in Fenais da Luz, a small village near Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island. Surrounded by a lush orchard, Maria's home offers a welcoming setting to discover traditional Azorean cuisine, family recipes and fresh, seasonal ingredients grown in her own garden and sourced from local producers. Begin with a welcome drink of local wine or fresh juice, accompanied by appetizers that might include a selection of Azorean cheeses and pork pâté. Maria loves showcasing the flavors of São Miguel, incorporating ingredients from her garden and specialty products made by her neighbors. After your welcome snack, enjoy a tour of Maria's home and orchard before sitting down to a traditional Azorean meal served family-style. During warmer months, weather permitting, dine outdoors on Maria's grapevine-covered terrace. In cooler months, gather around her dining table for a cozy, home-cooked meal. As you eat, learn about local food traditions, island life and the stories behind Maria's family recipes. End your experience with coffee or tea and an introduction to Maria's homemade liqueurs and traditional spirits, a special taste of São Miguel's local traditions.

Cooking experience: (2-25 guests) Discover the flavors of São Miguel Island in a private Azorean cooking class at Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, a charming village just 10 minutes from Ponta Delgada. Learn to prepare traditional Azorean dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce grown in Maria's own garden and orchard.

Begin with a welcome drink and snack, followed by a tour of Maria's home and garden. Choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration as Maria shares treasured family recipes passed down from her mother and grandmother. Learn to prepare a traditional Azorean meal, starting with a soup such as fish soup, followed by one or two main dishes featuring fresh fish and meat. For dessert, you might make pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), rice pudding or passion fruit mousse, using passion fruit from Maria's garden when in season.

After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your homemade Azorean meal on Maria's grapevine-covered terrace in warmer months or around her family dining table when it's cooler. End your meal with coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs while learning more about São Miguel's food culture and culinary traditions.

Vegetarian options are available, and Maria is happy to accommodate requests for specific dishes, such as octopus, whenever possible. Please share any dietary preferences, special requests, and whether you prefer a hands-on class or cooking demonstration when booking.

Market visit: (2-25 guests) Explore the flavors of São Miguel Island on a private guided tour of Mercado da Graça, the traditional farmers market in the heart of Ponta Delgada, Azores. Available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, this authentic Ponta Delgada market tour offers a glimpse into local food culture and the fresh ingredients that define Azorean cuisine. Join your host Maria as you explore colorful stalls selling fresh vegetables, locally caught fish, spices and regional specialties. Sample local honey, visit a traditional cheese shop to select a few Azorean cheeses to enjoy later, and shop for fresh fish and meat to prepare during your cooking class. Along the way, Maria will share insights into São Miguel's culinary traditions and local ingredients. After your 60–90-minute market tour, travel approximately 10 minutes by car to Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, where you'll prepare and enjoy a traditional Azorean meal using ingredients selected at the market.

Notes: On days when Maria is unavailable, her wonderful team members, Deborah or Andreia, will host your experience.
The market tour is available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, when the market is typically at its liveliest.
The cooking class takes place at Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, a small village approximately 10–15 minutes north of central Ponta Delgada by car. Her home is easily accessible by taxi or rental car. Transportation is not included.
You can choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration. Please indicate your preference when booking.
Alcoholic beverages are included in the experience price.

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.
  • Welcome drink: Local white wine or red wine
  • Appetizers: Selection of local cheeses and pork pate
  • Soup: Fish, chicken, kale, beans or Holy Spirit festivities soup
  • Fish or Seafood Main: Seafood stew, fried mackerel in Molho de Vilão sauce, baked fish with potatoes or octopus stew
  • Meat Main: Traditional beef stew, regional steak, roast chicken or mixed roast
  • Dessert: Pastel de nata, passion fruit mousse, rice pudding or sponge cake
  • Coffee or tea and homemade liqueur

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
Maria was absolutely delightful and so friendly. She provided a great experience and delicious food! Her home and garden are amazing! Highly recommend this experience!
- leslie August 15, 2026
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

$179-$535 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
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $285 $179
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $479 $339
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $535 $359
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $285 $179
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $479 $339
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $535 $359
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:30pm-3:30pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 5:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm

Meet Maria

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.

In-home meal: (2-25 guests) Experience authentic Azorean hospitality with a private, home-cooked meal at Maria's farmhouse in Fenais da Luz, a small village near Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island. Surrounded by a lush orchard, Maria's home offers a welcoming setting to discover traditional Azorean cuisine, family recipes and fresh, seasonal ingredients grown in her own garden and sourced from local producers. Begin with a welcome drink of local wine or fresh juice, accompanied by appetizers that might include a selection of Azorean cheeses and pork pâté. Maria loves showcasing the flavors of São Miguel, incorporating ingredients from her garden and specialty products made by her neighbors. After your welcome snack, enjoy a tour of Maria's home and orchard before sitting down to a traditional Azorean meal served family-style. During warmer months, weather permitting, dine outdoors on Maria's grapevine-covered terrace. In cooler months, gather around her dining table for a cozy, home-cooked meal. As you eat, learn about local food traditions, island life and the stories behind Maria's family recipes. End your experience with coffee or tea and an introduction to Maria's homemade liqueurs and traditional spirits, a special taste of São Miguel's local traditions.

Cooking experience: (2-25 guests) Discover the flavors of São Miguel Island in a private Azorean cooking class at Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, a charming village just 10 minutes from Ponta Delgada. Learn to prepare traditional Azorean dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients, including produce grown in Maria's own garden and orchard.

Begin with a welcome drink and snack, followed by a tour of Maria's home and garden. Choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration as Maria shares treasured family recipes passed down from her mother and grandmother. Learn to prepare a traditional Azorean meal, starting with a soup such as fish soup, followed by one or two main dishes featuring fresh fish and meat. For dessert, you might make pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), rice pudding or passion fruit mousse, using passion fruit from Maria's garden when in season.

After cooking, sit down together to enjoy your homemade Azorean meal on Maria's grapevine-covered terrace in warmer months or around her family dining table when it's cooler. End your meal with coffee, tea and homemade liqueurs while learning more about São Miguel's food culture and culinary traditions.

Vegetarian options are available, and Maria is happy to accommodate requests for specific dishes, such as octopus, whenever possible. Please share any dietary preferences, special requests, and whether you prefer a hands-on class or cooking demonstration when booking.

Market visit: (2-25 guests) Explore the flavors of São Miguel Island on a private guided tour of Mercado da Graça, the traditional farmers market in the heart of Ponta Delgada, Azores. Available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, this authentic Ponta Delgada market tour offers a glimpse into local food culture and the fresh ingredients that define Azorean cuisine. Join your host Maria as you explore colorful stalls selling fresh vegetables, locally caught fish, spices and regional specialties. Sample local honey, visit a traditional cheese shop to select a few Azorean cheeses to enjoy later, and shop for fresh fish and meat to prepare during your cooking class. Along the way, Maria will share insights into São Miguel's culinary traditions and local ingredients. After your 60–90-minute market tour, travel approximately 10 minutes by car to Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, where you'll prepare and enjoy a traditional Azorean meal using ingredients selected at the market.

Notes: On days when Maria is unavailable, her wonderful team members, Deborah or Andreia, will host your experience.
The market tour is available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings, when the market is typically at its liveliest.
The cooking class takes place at Maria's home in Fenais da Luz, a small village approximately 10–15 minutes north of central Ponta Delgada by car. Her home is easily accessible by taxi or rental car. Transportation is not included.
You can choose between a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration. Please indicate your preference when booking.
Alcoholic beverages are included in the experience price.

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.
  • Welcome drink: Local white wine or red wine
  • Appetizers: Selection of local cheeses and pork pate
  • Soup: Fish, chicken, kale, beans or Holy Spirit festivities soup
  • Fish or Seafood Main: Seafood stew, fried mackerel in Molho de Vilão sauce, baked fish with potatoes or octopus stew
  • Meat Main: Traditional beef stew, regional steak, roast chicken or mixed roast
  • Dessert: Pastel de nata, passion fruit mousse, rice pudding or sponge cake
  • Coffee or tea and homemade liqueur

Traveler reviews

5.0 (5)
Maria was absolutely delightful and so friendly. She provided a great experience and delicious food! Her home and garden are amazing! Highly recommend this experience!
- leslie August 15, 2026
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
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $285 $179
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $479 $339
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $535 $359
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered $285 $179
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $479 $339
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $535 $359
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:30pm-3:30pm 7:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:30am-2:30pm 5:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm
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. Transfers are typically charged on a per car basis, not per person. 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 round-trip transfers as an optional add-on. A driver collects you from your hotel or residence, takes you to the experience, and brings you back at the end. Pricing is quoted per car, not per person, so a group shares one fare. Your host's exact pickup instructions come with your confirmation details once the booking is accepted. A few hosts arrange transfers differently — a one-way ride, or a pickup from a central meeting point — and where that is the case their profile says so in place of the round-trip wording.

    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.