Tour operator
Marrakech Food Tours
A Marrakech food tour company offering evening street food walks beyond Jemaa el-Fnaa, artisan and snack tours, Ramadan iftars and food-focused day trips.
Amal Targa Center Cooking Classes
Daily Moroccan cooking classes in the garden kitchen of the non-profit Amal association in Targa, where classes support the training of disadvantaged women.
At a glance
- Type
- Cooking class, social enterprise
- Area
- Targa, Marrakech, Morocco
- Official site
- amalnonprofit.org
Good to know
- Daily classes
- Garden kitchen
- Brunch
- Supports women's training
Why we recommend it
The Amal association trains women from disadvantaged backgrounds in professional cooking and helps them into work, and its Targa Center, in a residential district on the north-western side of the city, is where it runs its cooking classes. Alongside its Guéliz restaurant, the Targa garden kitchen offers visitors a hands-on way to learn Moroccan cooking while supporting the programme directly.
Classes take place daily, including Sundays, between 09:00 and 15:00, in a kitchen set in a garden. Participants learn to prepare classic Moroccan dishes, such as a tagine, guided by Amal's cooks, and the class covers not just the recipes but the stories and traditions behind them. Classes generally finish with a shared meal of the dishes prepared, so come hungry. The centre also serves brunch and hosts events and catering.
The classes suit couples, families with older children, solo travellers and groups of friends, and no previous cooking experience is needed. They are a good alternative to classes run in hotels or riads, both for the relaxed setting and because the fee contributes to free training for the women in the programme. Mention any dietary requirements or allergies when booking so the team can plan.
Book in advance through the reservation page on the website, as places are limited, particularly in high season. Wear comfortable clothes and arrive on time. Allow most of the morning and lunch for the full experience. If you would rather simply eat, the Amal Gueliz Center restaurant serves lunch from Monday to Saturday.
Targa is a residential area north-west of Guéliz, a short taxi ride from the new town and around twenty minutes by taxi from the medina, depending on traffic. Ask the centre for directions when you book, or show the driver the details from your confirmation. Afterwards, the Jardin Majorelle and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent are within easy reach by taxi. Groups, families and companies looking for a team activity should contact the centre in advance, as classes can be arranged for larger parties and the centre also hosts events. If you have enjoyed a meal at the Gueliz restaurant, a class is a natural next step for learning to recreate the dishes at home. A visit pairs well with a morning in Guéliz or an afternoon at the Majorelle garden.
Amal Targa Center Cooking Classes FAQs
When are the cooking classes held?
Daily, including Sundays, between 09:00 and 15:00.
Where do classes take place?
At the Amal Targa Center, a garden kitchen in the Targa district of Marrakech.
Do you need cooking experience?
No. Classes are suitable for beginners.
What happens to the fees?
They support Amal's free culinary training for women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
How do you book?
Through the reservation page on the Amal website.
Can dietary needs be catered for?
Mention any requirements when booking so the team can plan.
Is there a restaurant too?
Yes. Amal's Gueliz restaurant serves lunch from Monday to Saturday.