Cook a full Indian feast from scratch with chef Rak Patel in Amsterdam. Learn his grandmother’s garam masala, master naan without a tandoor, and sit down to the meal you made.
Cook a full Indian feast from scratch with chef Rak Patel in Amsterdam. Learn his grandmother’s garam masala, master naan without a tandoor, and sit down to the meal you made.
Book with Keizer Culinair
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Keizer Culinair · Amsterdam, Noord-Holland
Indian Masterclass with Rak Patel delivers an intimate, hands-on immersion in home-style Indian cooking in Amsterdam. Located at Elandsstraat 169-173, 1016 RZ Amsterdam, Netherlands, this 2.5-hour workshop centers on a family garam masala recipe passed down through generations. Chef Rak Patel guides participants through every step of an authentic feast. Expect the smell of freshly toasted spices, the sizzle of charred tikka, and the tactile lesson of shaping naan without a tandoor. The itinerary is practical: blend spices, marinate and char murgh makhani, fry aloo tikki, assemble kachumber, whip raita, stretch and pan-fry naan, and steam fragrant basmati rice. No prior experience or equipment is required. That garam masala is the workshop’s cornerstone: Rak’s grandmother’s unchanged blend, measured by feel rather than scales. The class balances storytelling and technique; Rak shares family memories while demonstrating heat control, spice blooming, and layering savoury and sweet notes. Groups are social but focused — size caps at 24 — so everyone gets hands-on time and the chance to sit down and savour the meal. Practicalities are straightforward. The 2.5-hour class runs in English and meets at Elandsstraat 169-173, 1016 RZ Amsterdam, Netherlands. Wear comfortable clothing you don’t mind smelling like spices; plan to arrive a few minutes early for check-in. The class provides ingredients and instruction; there’s no need to bring equipment. Leave with recipes, a small jar of blended spice in some workshops, and techniques — from frying crisp aloo patties to blistering naan on a heavy pan — you can reproduce at home. Whether you’re a visitor to Amsterdam looking for a memorable evening or a local wanting to sharpen weekday cooking, this class delivers useful, transportable skills. It’s not a demonstration theatre: you work at the bench, feel the spices, and taste at every stage. The recipes are approachable — Murgh Makhani becomes a technique you can adapt to plant-based proteins; aloo tikki chaat teaches crisping and layering of flavors; homemade naan translates to any flatbread experiment. The setting in Amsterdam’s old Jordaan/De Baarsjes-adjacent neighborhoods offers a snapshot of the city’s lively food scene and the meeting point is easy to reach by tram or bike. Tickets can sell out for evening sessions, especially on weekends and around holidays, so booking ahead is wise. If you have dietary restrictions, contact the operator in advance; Rak has accommodated vegetarian and milder spice requests in the past. This workshop is a concentrated, hands-on cultural meal that doubles as culinary education — a compact investment in flavor literacy you’ll use long after you leave the kitchen. Bring curiosity, an appetite, and a willingness to get hands-on; the techniques learned are gifts that will truly enrich home meals and dinner parties for many years.
The workshop runs about 2.5 hours and covers the full menu from spice blending to sitting down to eat.
Meet at Elandsstraat 169-173, 1016 RZ Amsterdam, Netherlands; the location is accessible by tram and bike.
No experience is required; Rak teaches techniques from basic to intermediate so everyone can participate.
Yes—contact the operator before booking to discuss vegetarian options or milder spice levels.
The live guide language for the class is English.
Group size is capped at 24 to ensure hands-on time and a communal meal at the end.
Keizer Culinair is a culinary workshop provider based in Amsterdam, Noord‑Holland, offering hands‑on cooking experiences focused on French and Italian traditions. The program list includes Masterclass Classique Française and Masterclass Cucina Povera plus multiple three‑ and four‑course workshop options. Workshops run as three‑ or four‑course menus and many sessions are delivered as four‑hour hands‑on classes in central Amsterdam. French‑themed offerings teach classic preparations such as steak tartare, entrecôte with béarnaise sauce, and tarte Tatin. Italian‑themed Cucina Povera experiences emphasize simple, seasonal ingredients, practical techniques, and fresh pasta, including desserts like Torta della Nonna. Several listings note that beverages are included and that dietary needs can be accommodated. Keizer Culinair positions its workshops for a range of participants: individual cooks, groups seeking team‑building activities, and anyone wanting practical cooking skills. Sessions combine recipe instruction, hands‑on preparation, and shared dining of the finished menus. Course formats include three‑course and four‑course options and dedicated masterclasses. All offerings take place in Amsterdam and highlight regional European cuisine techniques. Booking information, durations, and specific menu details are provided per trip description. The business lists multiple experiences under the Classique Française and Cucina Povera themes to suit different group sizes and skill levels. Keizer Culinair’s descriptions focus on practical cooking, classic recipes, and onsite tasting to deliver a complete culinary workshop in Amsterdam. Descriptions note suitability for team‑building and group participation, and menus can vary between three‑course and four‑course formats. Detailed trip summaries specify dishes, timings, and any beverage or dietary options for individuals and groups.
Book with Keizer Culinair