Curaçao Cooking Class: Experience Traditional Caribbean Cuisine and Innovation with Chef Helmi
5.0
15 Ratings
Willemstad
Join Chef Helmi in a hands-on cooking class in Curaçao and experience the traditional Caribbean cuisine with a twist. Learn innovative ways to use Caribbean ingredients and create exciting dishes. Taste fresh fruits and vegetables, learn cooking techniques, and enjoy a delicious home-cooked Caribbean lunch.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Djonora Marthaweg - The Caribbean cuisine is still very traditional. Most recipes are passed on from generation to generation. This is where Helmi makes a change. With other chefs focusing on traditional recipes, Helmi finds different ways to use Caribbean ingredients and create new and exciting dishes. During her hands-on cooking class, you will learn all about it.\n\nHelmi will show you all kinds of Caribbean fruits and vegetables. On the spot they get prepared, so you can taste them as well. Learn some tips and tricks about preparing food. What is the easiest way to peal a mango for example? Furthermore Helmi will demonstrate how to fillet a fish.\n\nThen is it time to pick up your own pots and pans to prepare the menu; in groups of 2 persons you will prepare the dishes and sauces. Helmi and her assistant are always available to help you.\n\nWhen all the cooking is done, we will sit together at a nicely set table outside and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal, during which some well-deserved wine is served.
What's Included
- Carbonated beverages
- Snacks
- Lunch
- Tea and coffee
- Alcoholic Beverages
Meal Options
- Caribbean Ceviche - with lime, tequila & passion fruit
Additional Information
The gastronomy of the Caribbean largely holds on to its traditional roots, with recipes often inherited over generations. This norm, however, is being revolutionized by chef Helmi Smeulders. Amidst fellow chefs centering their attention on traditional methods, Helmi seeks novel ways to utilize Caribbean food ingredients and formulate innovative and thrilling meals. Her interactive cooking lessons provide an outlet for these teachings.
Helmi introduces to you a variety of Caribbean fruits and vegetables, preparing them on-site for immediate tasting. You also get insights into specialized techniques of effectively using these ingredients, for example, the simplest method to peel a mango or open a fresh coconut, as well as how to fillet a fish.
Subsequently, you get your hands on the kitchenware and participate in cooking the lunch menu. Working in pairs, you’ll be involved in making a number of dishes and sides, with constant support from Helmi and her assistant.
After the culinary tasks are complete, the group convenes for a delightful homemade Caribbean lunch at a beautifully set outdoor table. Wine is also served during this meal.
Location
Helmi Smeulders - Caribbean Chef
Djonoramarthaweg
My kitchen is located opposite the dentist behind the taupe wall with pink flowers. Please park somewhere down the street, not at the dentist parking lot.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(15 Ratings)
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1 star
Robert
Feb 3, 2024
Great class - Great class! Helmi is great. She begins with an introduction to some of the fruits and vegetables we’ll be using. Very informative and tasty. Then it’s time to start cooking. The class was very hands on, and the food was delicious.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marshallmaue
Dec 12, 2023
Best of Curacao Cooking - Had a fabulous experience with Helmi! She and her sous chef/partner were most welcoming and friendly. After her intro, Helmi presented us her planned menu for lunch, letting each of us (7 total attendees) choose one or two parts to make. Her kitchen was well-organized, allowing us individually and together to easily fashion our dishes. When done, we shared the meal we created, toasting each other and revelling in our repast. My wife and I have attended many such classes while on vacation and highly recommend this one! So impressed, we purchased Helmi’s cookbook. Her combination of Caribbean and Dutch cooking makes for delicious fare.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scottie4800
Jul 14, 2023
A great way to get to know The food of Curaçao! - My husband and I have done many cooking cooking classes in different parts of the world and Helmi’s rates right up at the top! A great mix of information on local foods, favorites and history with demonstrations and hands- on cooking experience. The recipes were appropriate for the time frame and could be prepared by novices and those experienced in the kitchen. It was a fun atmosphere and the meal was delightful. I highly recommend this Curaçao experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marlene_v
Jul 13, 2023
Unforgettable - Amazing experience! We had a great time and learned so much. I will definitely be recreating the recipes at home.
Review provided by Viator
Hkoetteritz
Jun 15, 2023
Cooking in Curacao - Our family had a great time. We learned new techniques and met some wonderful people also visiting. Helmi was a great host and teacher. And the food was all fantastic
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Janice3282
Jun 1, 2023
Great fun learning about and cooking with local ingredients - This was awesome. I had some much fun and the food was delicious. Helmi is a great host. She introduced us to local ingredients and recipes using them. She actually had us cook using her recipes and her and her assistant Reilly were there for support. We finished with a group lunch Bach eats by all the dishes we made using her recipes. The group that day was very international and super fun. I would highly recommend this. Helmi is amazing at bringing it all together
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kippenkooi
Apr 15, 2023
Cooking class - Totally worth the money!
Helmi first introduced the group of some ingredients typically to the Cariben kitchen.
Than she put us all to work to prep a 10 dish meal.
This was so much fun, Helmi and her sous chef were there to guide us when we needed directions. When all cooking was done we shared all the dishes at the terras,
accompanied with some drinks and nice conversations.
Thank you Helmi for this wonderful experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Laurie_w
Oct 20, 2022
An experience to remember! - We learned so much about island flavors and local cuisine. Had expert guidance and we always treated with dignity and respect. We also enjoyed the fruits of our labor with a phenomenal class luncheon that we prepared. We loved every minute!
Review provided by Viator
Lori
Mar 5, 2020
Cooking Class - We had a fantastic time! The food we prepared was wonderful. Helmi was a great host! I highly recommend this activity!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carollyon
Feb 12, 2020
Must do in Curacao - Great class and chef. We made a lot of locally sourced dishes. There were 15 people from various countries in the class. Highly recommended. I booked several months in advance.
Review provided by Viator