Lahcen Beqqi Cooking School

Lahcen Beqqi is a Fes chef who has been teaching visitors to cook Moroccan food for many years, and his cooking school is one of the most established in the city. In 2007 a New York Times writer described him as having been at the helm of the kitchens of some of the top restaurants in Fez's expanding dining scene, and he now works as a culinary guide, sharing the everyday cooking of Fes with visitors.

The core experience is a hands-on cooking class in the medina. Lessons begin with a shopping trip to the local souk to buy fresh ingredients, which is an excellent way to understand how Fassis shop and to see stalls and produce you might otherwise walk past. The cooking then takes place in a restored riad, where students learn the methods Moroccans use every day. Past participants mention dishes such as stuffed quail and an orange, radish and fennel salad, and the menu reflects the season and the market.

Beyond the medina, the school offers a Berber-style barbecue class in the cedar forests near Azrou, about 45 minutes from Fes, where meat is cooked in the traditional meshwi style. There are also day tours, including wine tasting in Meknes, couscous rolling in the Middle Atlas and a Moroccan food tasting day, and longer culinary holidays, such as a seven-day culinary adventure in Fes and itineraries that include Marrakech and other regions.

The classes suit food lovers, couples and families with older children who want a practical skill to take home. Book ahead, especially in spring and autumn, and mention dietary requirements when you reserve. Wear comfortable shoes for the market visit and bring a bag for any spices you buy. Allow plenty of time, as the market visit, cooking and meal together make for a substantial session.

The school's base is at Bab Guissa in the northern part of the medina, and meeting arrangements are confirmed when you book. Contact Lahcen Beqqi directly by phone or through the website to check dates and what is included. A cooking class here pairs naturally with a food tour on another day for anyone who wants to understand why Fes is called the culinary capital of Morocco.