Feijoada and Moqueca Cooking Class

The Feijoada and Moqueca Cooking Class is a hands-on cooking session in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held in a host kitchen in the Zona Sul or Santa Teresa, with the address sent after booking. Neighbourhoods named on the listing include Ipanema, Botafogo and Santa Teresa. The class is offered by hosts listed on Viator (viator.com) and Airbnb Experiences (airbnb.com/experiences), and the individual host or operator should be confirmed on the booking page, since more than one host runs this format.

The menu combines two dishes from different parts of Brazil. Feijoada is the black bean and pork stew associated with Rio de Janeiro and southern Brazil, while moqueca is a coconut milk and dendê (palm oil) seafood stew from Bahia, the state that gave Brazilian cooking much of its Afro-Brazilian character. Participants cook in a home-style kitchen, following the host through preparation and cooking, and then sit down to eat the dishes together. Both mains are savoury, and a dessert or side may accompany them depending on the host. The listed inclusions are hands-on cooking, a shared meal, a caipirinha and recipe notes to take away, so visitors leave with instructions to repeat the dishes at home.

The class lasts about three to four hours and costs roughly R$400 to R$650 (around US$78-126) per person. Group sizes in host kitchens are usually small, which allows individual attention, though the exact number depends on the host. Sessions are typically taught in English or Portuguese, and language should be confirmed on the listing. The pace is relaxed and social, with the meal serving as the closing part of the session. Costs not covered may include transport to the kitchen and drinks beyond the included caipirinha.

Because the two headline dishes contain pork and seafood, dietary substitutions need to be arranged with the host beforehand. Vegetarian, pescatarian and allergy requirements should be raised at booking, and some hosts can adapt the menu. Participants usually wear closed shoes and comfortable clothing for cooking, and photography of the preparation is generally welcomed by hosts. The class runs year-round.