Private Traditional Portuguese Cooking Class in Lisbon with Paula

Thanks Paula

We enjoyed our time with Paula! Learned some new cooking skills and she even gave us the recipes afterwards.

via Viator

Disappointing Experience Despite Cultural Insights

We chose Paula’s Authentic Cooking Class hoping for an engaging and enjoyable cultural experience. While we appreciated meeting Paula and learning about local culture, several issues significantly affected our overall experience. The day began with a pickup at the ferry, followed by a stop at a grocery store so Paula could purchase the ingredients she had said she had been unable to obtain earlier. During this time, we felt somewhat pressured to try items (such as squid and mussels) we had already indicated we did not prefer, which led us to purchase a pepperoni pizza from the frozen section for a teenager in our group. Our primary concern was the cleanliness and hygiene of the kitchen. Raw seafood was prepared on a cutting surface that was then used for vegetables without proper sanitation. There was no soap available for washing hands or surfaces, and only a single shared hand towel was provided. Additionally, the kitchen surfaces, including counters and cabinets, appeared visibly unclean. There were also a few logistical and comfort concerns. The restroom contained a litter box, and another individual residing in the apartment moved in and out during our visit, which we had not expected. At one point, Paula also took a phone call during the class. The kitchen itself was very small, extremely warm, and did not comfortably accommodate our group of four. That meant that three of us either crowded around the cook and took turns or sat in chairs which we had dragged into the kitchen. At one point, Paula asked our teenager to climb a chair to get a large pot from the top of a cabinet. Finally, the experience lasted significantly longer than advertised. The class was scheduled for approximately three hours but ran for five and a half hours, taking up nearly our entire day. Overall, while there were some positive elements, the lack of cleanliness, organization, and adherence to the stated schedule made this a disappointing experience for our group.

Response from the operator: We are very sorry to hear that this experience did not meet your expectations. While we're glad you enjoyed meeting Paula and learning about Portuguese culture, we regret that aspects of the experience left you disappointed. We hope you received our follow-up messages regarding your experience and the steps we have taken to make things right. We have also reviewed your feedback with Paula to help ensure future guests have a comfortable, well-organized experience that aligns with the listing's expectations. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It helps us continue improving the experiences we offer.

via Viator

Fun cooking with Paula

Absolutely amazing time with Paula. The class was excellent. Learned so much and had a delicious meal. Paula is in no rush so it is a very relaxed time. We also learned so much about Portugal through our many questions. This was a great experience

via Tripadvisor

Approachable, delicious fun cooking!

Paula is a most gracious and knowledgeable teacher! I’ve taken many cooking classes and she taught me several tricks I’d never learned before. She caters to what your preferences are regarding protein selection, spices and flavor profiles. I personally enjoyed the 1:1 lesson but could easily recommend having another person . Paula made sure I performed many of the tasks and used the techniques she taught giving me a real sense of competence . She also allowed flexibility within the recipes giving variations I could use at home. The ingredients were all very fresh and obtainable back in the USA. One of the best parts was it was fun! I mean she keeps the joy within the class. She truly loves food and cooking which shows in her teaching. I’m most anxious to make these for friends when I return home. If ever in Lisbon again I’d for sure take another lesson from Paula🩷

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Paula. It’s wonderful that even as an experienced cooking class participant, you discovered new techniques and felt confident putting them into practice. Paula takes great pride in tailoring each experience to her guests’ preferences, so we’re glad that personalized touch stood out. We also love that you highlighted how hands-on and flexible the class was, making it easy to recreate the dishes at home. Most of all, it’s great to hear that the experience was not just educational but truly fun, that’s exactly the kind of joyful, memorable atmosphere Paula strives to create. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with her. She’ll be so happy to hear you’re excited to cook these dishes for friends, and she would absolutely love to host you again the next time you’re in Lisbon! 🩷

via Viator

Lovely Relaxed Afternoon of Food & Conversation

Paula is a lovely considerate creative and affable lady. She communicated well ensuring we’d find each other after taking the ferry to Almada which was a bonus to my trip to Lisbon! She asked ahead of time the types of dishes I would be interested in helping to make. She not only taught me some traditional Portuguese recipes but along the way helped me improve my cooking skills! Afterwards we had a leisurely lunch of the dishes we worked on together discussing many topics with some tasty local regional wine.

via Tripadvisor