If you enjoy Indian food and want to replicate the dishes you’re eating in Delhi after you return home, taking a cooking class is a fantastic idea. Not only is a cooking class a hands on cultural experience, it’s one of the most immersive ways to experience Delhi.
I’m an avid Indian cook – I live in Delhi and make Indian food all the time. But to learn how to cook authentic Indian food, I took several cooking classes when I first moved to Delhi.
So that you can have the best possible experience, here are the things to keep in mind before booking a class.
The Best Delhi Cooking Class
No question about it, the best cooking classes in Delhi are with Jyoti of Gourmet Desire. Jyoti has been teaching classes a long time (over 20 years), and she’s an excellent instructor.
One of the things I really like about Jyoti’s classes, is that they are in her home. You’ll get a glimpse into real everyday Delhi life, and you can ask Jyoti anything!
Jyoti and Gourmet Desire are centrally located in South Delhi, and easy to reach.
Gourmet Desire has a 5.0 rating on Trip Advisor with almost 300 reviews. I highly recommend them.
11 Things To Know Before Booking A Delhi Cooking Class 2024
Cooking classes come in all shapes and sizes. To have the best experience, consider these things before booking your cooking class in Delhi:
1. Book your class early
If you have limited time in Delhi, book your class early. You don’t want to miss out on the class you want because it’s full.
Once your class is booked, consider what you can do or see nearby. Delhi is a huge city, and unless you want to spend half the day in transit, it’s important to plan activities that are close to each other.
2. Many cooking classes start with a trip to the market
In Delhi, most people go to the market every day. Your instructor may take you to the local market to purchase ingredients.
This is a great opportunity to ask about fruit and vegetables you don’t recognize, and learn how to select the best ones. Your teacher can tell you what is in season, and recommend things to try.
Cooking classes that include a trip to a Delhi market will be about an hour longer and cost more. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes.
3. It’s more than a cooking class
Delhi cooking classes will teach you more than recipes and techniques. You’ll learn about the social norms and traditions attached to food, and information about the ingredients. Many ingredients in Indian cooking have Ayurvedic properties, for example.
4. Book an English only class
English is very common in India, and chances are your cooking class will be in English, but you should confirm this. Delhi is an international city and gets visitors from all over the world. Cooking classes can be conducted in other languages also.
5. Find out what is on the menu
Verify and discuss the menu with your teacher. If you have any dietary restrictions or allergies, notify your instructor ahead of time so your needs can be accommodated.
Ask what dishes will be covered in the class, so you can make sure they align with your interests.
6. Will you get the recipes?
Find out if you’ll be given a copy of the recipes. This is really useful if you plan to cook these dishes at home yourself. Otherwise, you’ll have to make a lot of notes.
7. How many people are in the class?
Is it a private class, or a larger group? A smaller group is often very hands on, and you’ll be able to ask more questions. But a larger group can be fun too – you’ll meet new people that you already share an interest with.
8. Consider what kind of experience you want: home class vs cooking school
I’ve done and enjoyed both types of cooking classes. The home ones are more relaxed, while the classes in cooking schools or Delhi restaurants are more structured.
If you’re more interested in ingredients and techniques, the cooking school/restaurant version may be best. If you want a more culturally immersive experience, book a home class.
9. Find out the best way to get there
Ask your host for the best way to get to the class location. Is it near a metro station? Is the address easy to find? Give yourself extra time, just in case.
A lot of cooking classes are in ‘suburbs’ of Delhi like Dwarka, Noida, or Gurugram. If you’re staying in South or Central Delhi, these locations are not very practical. You’ll end up wasting hours in transit. Try to book a class that is not too far from where you’re staying.
That’s another reason I recommend Gourmet Desires cooking class, it’s centrally located and easy to get to in South Delhi.
10. How long is the class?
Most cooking classes are 3-4 hours. If a trip to the market is included it will be longer. Keep in mind you’ll probably be on your feet for a lot of this time, so wear comfortable shoes.
11. How hands on is it?
Most of the cooking classes I’ve done in Delhi have been very hands on, with a lot of participation. Usually you’ll prepare ingredients and cook alongside the instructor, but one class I did was much more observation. If you have a preference about how much cooking you’ll get to do, inquire about this ahead of time.
Getting Around Delhi
If you’re going a short distance (less than 3 km) taking an auto rickshaw is the easiest way to get around. Auto rickshaws are everywhere in Delhi, and they’re cheap. You can expect to pay up to INR 100 for about 3 km.
Delhi does have Uber and it’s a very popular mode of transit. Ola is another well used ride share app in Delhi. Both are inexpensive, but I think Uber is the better one. BluSmart is another taxi app used in Delhi that uses electric cars. You’ll need data to use any of these, but you can pick up a local SIM card at the airport on arrival.
The Delhi metro is the best way to travel during peak traffic times, or for longer distances. Most visitors are surprised at how modern and clean the Delhi metro is. It’s actually one of the best metro systems in the world. It’s user friendly, but read my guide on how to use the Delhi metro if you want more info.
FAQs
Visiting Delhi can feel like landing on a different planet sometimes! Here are common questions first time visitors often have:
How many days in Delhi is enough?
Delhi is a full on, sensory overload city. Most first time visitors find 3 or 4 days enough. But if you want to stay longer, there is plenty to see and do – you will not be bored!
Is it worth seeing Delhi?
Delhi is absolutely worth seeing! It is one of the most historic and interesting cities in the world. Delhi does not get the credit it deserves. I believe it’s one of the most under rated cities on the planet.
Is it safe to go out in Delhi?
Delhi has a reputation (and not unfounded) of being unsafe for women. The truth is, Delhi is safe to walk around and go about during the day, but at night you should not go out alone. This goes for men too. I’m a solo female living in Delhi, and I have never had a problem – but I follow my own advice.
Is Delhi a cheap city?
Delhi can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be. Things like street food, public transport, Uber, and budget accommodation are very cheap, and there’s lots of free things to do and see. But Delhi also has a lot of wealth, luxury shopping, fancy restaurants and 5 star luxury hotels.
Basically, you can spend as little or as much as you want in Delhi.
The Wrap-up on Things to Know Before Booking a Delhi Cooking Class
A cooking class in Delhi is bound to be one of the highlights of your trip. Not only will you learn about the flavours and traditions that make Indian cuisine unique, you’ll gain insight into the culture and heritage of Delhi.
But be sure to do your research, and consider things such as location and size of class, type of cuisine, and instructor credentials to make sure you have a fun and rewarding experience.
Don’t forget travel insurance! It’s always a good idea to carry travel insurance just in case something goes wrong. I really like and use SafetyWing
