11 Things To Know Before Booking A Delhi Cooking Class 2026
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. A cooking class is a hands on cultural experience and one of the most immersive ways to experience Delhi.
I lived 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.
The Best Delhi Cooking Class
No question about it, the best cooking classes in Delhi are with Gourmet Desire. Jyoti is the owner and she has been teaching cooking classes over 20 years. I learned so much from Jyoti, and she let us choose which dishes we wanted to make.
One of the things I really like about Jyoti’s classes is that they are in her home. You get to glimpse real everyday Delhi life and can ask Jyoti anything.
Gourmet Desire is centrally located in South Delhi, and easy to reach.
11 Things To Know Before Booking A Delhi Cooking Class
Cooking classes come in all shapes and sizes. So you can 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 too.
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. A larger group can be fun too – you’ll meet new people that you already share an interest with.
8. What kind of experience do you want: home class or 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 is best. If you want a more culturally immersive experience, book a home class.
9. Consider the location of the cooking class
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 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 Desire, 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 more observation.
If you have a preference about how much cooking you’ll get to do, inquire about this ahead of time.
How to Get to a Cooking Class
The best ways to get to a cooking class in Delhi is by metro, Uber, auto rickshaw, or any combination of these.
For short distances I use auto rickshaws. For long distances I use the metro since it’s faster than driving sometimes, and for everything else I use Uber.
I go into more detail in this article on how to get around Delhi.
Last Words on 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.
