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Chef Naima — Moroccan Cooking & Catering at Riad Vendôme Marrakech
Chef Naima has cooked at Riad Vendôme since the riad opened and is rated 5/5 on Google on 47 reviews. Her cooking class runs from €48 per person for three hours in the medina, and dinner at the riad starts at €25 per person. Tagine, couscous, pastilla — and the recipes to take home. One contact throughout: Éric, owner since 2011 — WhatsApp +212 600 608 608, written quote within 24 hours.
Chef Naima is the resident chef and on-site manager of Riad Vendôme & Spa Marrakech. Rated 5/5 on Google on 47 reviews, she has been cooking authentic Moroccan cuisine for guests and groups at the riad since 2011. She organises all cooking classes, group catering and private dinners.
In brief — Chef Naima at Riad Vendôme
- Chef Naima at Riad Vendôme: 5.0/5 on Google. Authentic cooking class Dar El Bacha medina, tagine pastilla couscous from €48/pers.
- Resident chef and on-site manager, cooking authentic Moroccan cuisine at the riad since 2011.
- Organises all cooking classes, group catering and private dinners.
- Direct booking / WhatsApp: +212 600 608 608
👩🍳 Chef Naima — 5/5 Google Cuisine
Book your event +212 600 608 608
Born in Marrakech, Naima learned traditional Moroccan cooking from her family. She masters the authentic recipes of pastilla (pigeon or chicken), lamb tagine with preserved lemon, couscous with seven vegetables, harira soup and all the classic Moroccan sweets. All dishes are prepared fresh with local ingredients from the Rahba Kedima market.
What Chef Naima Offers at Riad Vendôme (Marrakech Medina)
| Service | Duration | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moroccan cooking class | 3 hours | 2–3 dishes + lunch + recipes | €48/person |
| Group cooking class | 3–4 hours | Tagine, couscous, pastilla, desserts | €48/person |
| Catered breakfast | Included | Moroccan breakfast on the rooftop | Included |
| Group dinner | 2–3 hours | 3-course dinner, patio or rooftop | €25/person |
| Gala dinner (events) | 3–4 hours | Full Moroccan feast, décor, music | from €40/person |
| Healthy yoga catering | Daily | Juices, salads, grain bowls | Included in yoga packages |
Rates up to date as of 30 August 2026 · valid until August 2028. Written quote within 24 hours on WhatsApp +212 600 608 608.
Naima's Signature Dishes
- 🥧 Pigeon pastilla — crispy filo pastry with pigeon, almonds and cinnamon. The most iconic Moroccan dish, Naima makes it from scratch.
- 🫕 Lamb tagine with preserved lemon & olives — slow-cooked overnight with ras el hanout and chermoula.
- 🫓 Moroccan couscous — 7 vegetables, caramelised onions, raisins, chickpeas. The Friday tradition.
- 🍪 Chebakia & sellou — traditional Moroccan sweets served with mint tea.
- 🥗 Healthy yoga bowls — quinoa, roasted vegetables, harissa dressing, argan oil. Created for yoga retreats.
★★★★★ Google Cuisine — 5/5
"Naima's cooking is exceptional. The pastilla she made for our group of 20 was the best I have ever tasted." — Sarah, hen party group, March 2025
"The cooking class was the highlight of our seminar. Naima is warm, funny and incredibly knowledgeable." — Thomas, corporate group, November 2024
Book a Cooking Class or Catering with Naima
Available for groups of 2 to 50 guests. Classes in English and French. All dietary requirements accommodated (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free). Contact Éric directly — response within 24 hours.
→ Full cooking class programme | Moroccan cooking class | Group cooking workshop
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the riad safe for children?
Yes. The pool is visible from the patio, the Dar El Bacha district is the safest in the medina, and the staff looks after the whole family's comfort.
Can the cook prepare meals for children?
Yes. Our cook adapts meals: dishes less spicy, pasta, grilled chicken, crepes. The breakfast includes of the options that children love.
Things to Do in Marrakech with Kids — Naima's Picks
Every family is different. Naima helps you choose the right activities based on your children's ages and energy levels:
🌊 Oasiria Water Park — 4 km from the riad (15 min taxi)
The best day out for kids in Marrakech. 17 water slides, a wave pool, lazy river, dedicated toddler area. Entry approx €22 adults / €17 children. A full-day activity that tires them out perfectly. Riad Vendôme arranges transport.
🐒 Ouzoud Waterfalls + Barbary Macaques — 2h30 from Marrakech
One of Morocco's most spectacular natural sites. Huge waterfalls, wild Barbary macaques that eat from your hand, a swim in the natural pool at the base. Children aged 4+ absolutely love it. Riad Vendôme coordinates the full-day trip with an approved licensed transport partner.
🏔️ Ourika Valley — 45 min from the riad
Berber villages, a mountain river where children can paddle, local market. Calm, beautiful, very family-friendly. Perfect for a half-day with younger children.
🌺 Jardin Majorelle — 15 min by taxi
A magical garden, easy to visit with a pushchair. The vivid cobalt blue, cactus, and pond fascinate children of all ages. Allow 1 hour.
⛷️ Oukaïmeden — 75 km / 1h30 (December–March)
Africa's highest ski resort. Skiing, sledging, donkeys in the snow — a surreal and unforgettable experience for children used to grey British winters. Riad Vendôme coordinates the day trip.
🐪 Merzouga Desert — Family Bivouac (3 nights add-on)
A night in a Berber tent under millions of stars. Camel trek at sunset. Comfortable bivouac, from age 3. The experience children remember for life. All-inclusive from Riad Vendôme.
Best Time for a Family Holiday in Marrakech — UK School Holidays
Marrakech works brilliantly for UK school holiday timing. 300 days of sunshine a year, short flight (3h30 from London, 3h45 from Manchester), and no long-haul jet lag.
| UK School Holiday | Marrakech Weather | Our Pick |
|---|---|---|
| February Half Term | 18–22°C, sunny, no crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Perfect — best weather/price balance |
| Easter Holidays | 20–26°C, warm and sunny | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Peak season — book early |
| Summer Holidays | 32–42°C July/August | ⭐⭐⭐ Very hot — pool essential, plan early mornings |
| October Half Term | 22–28°C, warm and dry | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ideal — post-summer calm, excellent value |
| Christmas Holidays | 16–20°C, sunny while the UK is grey | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great escape — consider Oukaïmeden ski day |
Pro tip from Éric: February half term and October half term are our sweet spots — warm enough for the pool, cool enough to explore the medina comfortably, and generally better value than Easter peak.
Family Reunion in Marrakech — Cousin Gatherings & Multi-Family Stays
Riad Vendôme is ideal for a family reunion with children — when 2, 3 or 4 families travel together and share the riad. Each family has its own room or suite, and you share the pool, rooftop, kitchen, and hammam. The budget splits beautifully.
Family reunion pricing (exclusive hire, per night):
- 2 families (8–14 guests): from €520/night
- 3–4 families (15–25 guests): from €650/night
- Large cousin gathering (25–50 guests): contact us — second riad available
Per person, shared between families, this is often cheaper than booking individual hotel rooms for everyone.
Does Chef Naima accommodate vegan or gluten-free guests?
Yes. Chef Naima adapts every recipe for vegan, gluten-free, halal, nut-free and dairy-free guests at no extra cost. She has 10+ years of experience making these adaptations without losing the authentic flavour of Moroccan cuisine. Just mention your requirements when booking.
How many people can join a cooking class with Chef Naima?
Chef Naima teaches groups of 4 to 20 people. For groups under 4, please contact us — we can often combine you with another small group. For large groups (20+), we may arrange two parallel sessions. The class takes place in the riad kitchen, which is fully equipped and spacious.
Can I book a cooking class with Chef Naima on the same day?
Same-day bookings are possible if Chef Naima has availability and the ingredients are in stock. We recommend booking at least 24 hours in advance so she can source fresh produce from the medina market. Contact Eric on WhatsApp (+212 600 608 608) for real-time availability.
👨👩👧 Family Break — Essential
2 adults + 2 children — Moroccan breakfast + pool + baby cot FREE + private hammam. Dar El Bacha, pushchair-accessible. Direct booking. Riad Vendôme & Spa.
🍽️ Family Half Board
2 adults + 3 children — breakfasts, plus evening dinner by Chef Naima (child-friendly menus) + pool. No restaurant hassle, no unknown menus. Riad Vendôme.
👨👩👧👦 Family Reunion — Exclusive Hire
2–4 families together (8 to 50 guests). Each family has its own room. Budget splits between all — often cheaper than individual hotels. Riad Vendôme & Spa.
Gallery — Family Holidays at Riad Vendôme
⭐ Google 4.2/5 (617 reviews) · 🏠 Booking 8.3/10 · ✈️ TripAdvisor 4.2/5 · 🎉 500+ events organised since 2013
The Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.
More Than a Cooking Class with Chef Naima — Combine Stay + Spa
Riad Vendôme isn't just a place to stay — it's a complete experience platform with 11 dedicated activity branches, all coordinated by Eric (owner, single point of contact since 2011). Unlike a regular hotel where you book a room and arrange activities separately, here everything is under one roof, with one quote, one contact:
- Private riad — 12 rooms for up to 36 guests, up to 50 with the partner riad
- Spa & hammam — oriental rituals, rooftop jacuzzi 36°C
- Cooking class with Chef Naima (5.0/5 on Google)
- Day Pass — spa + lunch + pool (no overnight needed)
- Yoga retreats — daily rooftop sessions + healthy catering
- Birthdays & milestones — 30th, 50th, 60th, 70th private celebrations
- Corporate seminars — meeting room + team building + gala
- Golf packages — 11 courses + Green Card + PGA Academy
- Hen & stag parties — exclusive hire + activities programme
- Morocco circuits — Agafay desert, Atlas, Ouarzazate, Essaouira
- Direct booking — WhatsApp Eric +212 600 608 608, free quote within 24 hours
One contact. One quote. One coordinated experience. From a last-minute 1-night booking to a 7-day customised Morocco circuit.
Why book Riad Vendôme rather than a regular hotel in Marrakech?
Riad Vendôme is more than accommodation — it's a complete experience platform with 11 dedicated activity branches all coordinated by Eric (owner since 2011). Unlike traditional hotels where you book a room and arrange activities separately, at Riad Vendôme you have a single interlocutor for: private riad (12 rooms for up to 36 guests, up to 50 with the partner riad), spa & hammam, Chef Naima cooking classes (5/5 on 47 reviews), Day Pass without overnight, yoga retreats, birthdays, corporate seminars, golf packages on 11 courses, hen & stag parties, Morocco circuits (Agafay, Atlas, Essaouira), and direct booking with no commission. One contact, one quote, one coordinated experience.
Where exactly is Riad Vendome located in Marrakech?
Riad Vendome is at 217 Derb El Halfaoui, in the Dar El Bacha district of the Marrakech medina. It is a 7-minute walk from Jemaa El-Fna square, close to the Koutoubia and the souks, so you reach the main sights on foot without needing a taxi. A member of staff meets you at the nearest vehicle drop-off point on arrival.
How do I book, and how quickly do you reply?
You book directly with the riad, not through a platform. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp at +212 600 608 608 and you receive a written quote within 24 hours. There is no automated booking engine: every stay is confirmed by a person, and the payment terms are set out in the quote you receive.
Can the whole riad be privatised, and for how many guests?
Yes, Riad Vendome can be hired exclusively. The main riad has 12 rooms and goes up to 20 rooms with our second riad 100 metres away, for exclusive hire of up to 50 guests. During an exclusive hire there are no other guests: the pool, hammam, jacuzzi and rooftop are reserved for your group alone.
Can you cater for vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free or allergy diets?
Yes. Chef Naima adapts the menus and the cooking class to vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free and allergy requirements. The kitchen is halal by default. What we need is the list of constraints in writing when you book, not on the day, because the shopping is done at the market that morning. For a desert night, Éric passes the same list to the camp 48 hours ahead so the meals are adapted there too. Send the details on WhatsApp +212 600 608 608 and they are written into your quote.