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Chef Naima — Moroccan Cooking & Catering at Riad Vendôme Marrakech
Chef Naima is the resident chef and on-site manager of Riad Vendôme & Spa Marrakech. Rated 5/5 on Google Cuisine, she has been cooking authentic Moroccan cuisine for guests and groups at the riad since 2013. She organises all cooking classes, group catering and private dinners.
👩🍳 Chef Naima — 5/5 Google Cuisine
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
| Service | Duration | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moroccan cooking class | 3 hours | 2–3 dishes + lunch + recipes | £40/person |
| Group cooking class | 3–4 hours | Tagine, couscous, pastilla, desserts | £35/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 |
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 45 guests. Classes in English and French. All dietary requirements accommodated (vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free). Contact Éric directly — response within 3 hours.
→ Full cooking class programme | Moroccan cooking class | Group cooking workshop
Book your event +212 600 608 608
Frequently Asked Questions
The riad is it sure 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 adapte meals : plats less spicy, pasta, poulet grilled, 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 organises the full-day trip.
🏔️ 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 organises 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 (25–45 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 + 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 45 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 4.1/5 · 🎉 500+ events organised since 2013
Le Riad Vendôme is classified by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.