It doesn’t take the first-time visitor to Marrakech long to realise just how beautiful the countryside around the city is. In fact, it usually comes as quite a surprise. As well as enjoying Moroccan gastronomy, one of the favourite pastimes is to take a cooking course using local produce. Now you can combine the beauty of the country with learning about Moroccan ancestral culinary traditions.

Thirty kilometres from Marrakech, the Jardin Potager Bio Orty-CT (Organic Vegetable Garden) has been established by Chef Tarik Harabida, and is devoted to the re-discovery of organic and authentic culinary traditions, many dating back to ancient times and drawing from the diverse roots of Moroccan cultures – Berber, Jewish and Arab-Andalusian.

Taking traditional herbs and spices picked from his own garden, the rich and flowery aromas of cinnamon, saffron, thyme, cumin and ginger, amongst others, Chef Tarik combines them with condon bleu cuisine, guiding his students through personal recipes created to show traditional Moroccan gastronomy at its very best. The result is a unique dining experience in a tranquil setting far from the clamour of Marrakech.

ateliercuisinebio.blogspot.com (in French only)