Tasting Morocco at Amal Center

This is a 3-hour cooking experience at the Amal Women’s Cooperative Center, founded by the remarkable Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen. Rooted in empowerment and inclusion, the experience offers a hands-on introduction to Moroccan cuisine while celebrating the social impact of food. You’ll begin with a short introduction to Amal’s mission—supporting women from vulnerable backgrounds by training them in the culinary arts. From there, you’ll dive into Moroccan cooking: exploring local spices, learning the stories of each dish, and preparing a traditional feast with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Some recipes are cooked over charcoal, using bellows to control the flame—an immersive detail that reflects Morocco’s culinary heritage. As your dishes simmer, you'll enjoy a traditional tea paired with homemade cookies. The experience ends with a shared meal; you’ll gather to taste what you've created and connect with members of the Amal team, learning more about their lives, resilience and work.

Unlike many cooking classes in Marrakesh, this experience is private, intimate and timed for an early dinner, featuring a selection of thoughtfully curated dishes to prepare and enjoy. It’s also intentionally designed to support a social mission: a portion of your fee goes directly to Amal Center, a nonprofit that provides training and job opportunities for women from vulnerable backgrounds. Amal is more than a cooking school—it’s a space of transformation, offering hope and vocational skills to women rebuilding their lives. Under the guidance of the team Nora has created and trained, you’ll learn to make Moroccan classics like tajine, couscous or pastilla—while gaining insight into the flavors, techniques, and cultural meaning behind each dish. This is a blend of culinary depth, cultural immersion, and social impact. The atmosphere is warm, filled with stories and shared purpose. Past guests often describe the experience as delicious and moving—one that leaves a lasting impression.

This experience was created by Nora Fitzgerald Belahcen, founder of the Amal Center—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through culinary training and job placement. The session is led by the on-site manager and supported by members of Amal’s original team of chefs—women who helped shape the center and now lead with warmth, confidence, and skill. You’ll be guided by a small, welcoming team trained in the spirit of Amal’s mission: to use food not only as craft and culture, but as a path to opportunity and connection. Their deep knowledge of Moroccan cuisine and generous hospitality ensure an experience that’s as meaningful as it is memorable.

Comfortable attire suitable for cooking, and a hearty appetite!