Curaçao Cooking Class
Overview
Available languages
4 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Taste the flavors of the Caribbean!
Explore the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean during a hands-on cooking class with Chef Helmi Smeulders, known from her appearances on the Caribbean Cook-Out Show, Top Chef and 24Kitchen. Discover the secrets of Caribbean cuisine and learn how to use exotic ingredients like tamarind, funchi and lionfish. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this class is the perfect opportunity to expand your culinary repertoire. And best of all, at the end, you get to enjoy the dishes you’ve cooked together!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Explore the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean during a hands-on cooking class with Chef Helmi Smeulders, known from her appearances on the Caribbean Cook-Out Show, Top Chef and 24Kitchen. Discover the secrets of Caribbean cuisine and learn how to use exotic ingredients like tamarind, funchi and lionfish. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this class is the perfect opportunity to expand your culinary repertoire. And best of all, at the end, you get to enjoy the dishes you’ve cooked together! Helmi will introduce you to a variety of Caribbean fruits and vegetables, demonstrating how they are prepared on the spot for you to taste. She'll also share some of her best tips and tricks, such as the easiest way to clean a mango. In addition, she'll provide a complete overview of the invasive lionfish, covering everything from hunting and filleting to preparing it. Then it's time to pick up the pots and pans. In pairs, you'll prepare the dishes on the menu, with Helmi and her assistant available to offer guidance and support. Once the cooking is complete, you'll gather at the communal table outside sharing a delicious home-cooked meal, accompanied by well-deserved glass of wine.
Sample Menu
main
Lionfish Ceviche
main
Jerk Chicken
main
Corn Tortillas
main
Sweet Potato Salad
main
Green Papaya Salad
main
Funchi Fries
dessert
Papaya Cake with Lime Cream
What‘s Included
Soda/Pop
Alcoholic Beverages
Snacks
We end the class with a delicious homecooked lunch with various Caribbean dishes that we prepared during class.
Coffee and/or Tea
Options
Curaçao Cooking Class
Reviews
46 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Entertainment and Cooking Experiences
600genevas,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent entertainment with knowledge of fresh fruits and vegetables and how to prepare the dishes of the Caribbean. She was patient and encouraging. Chef had helpers to assist the guests in preparing foods and did much with each guest. All questions were answered no matter the level of experience of the one who asked. Nothing was silly or unimportant to the Chef. She was also accommodating to the disabled guest. I want that book!
Beautiful Curacao food in a wonderful setting. Not to be missed.
joyces589,,Dec 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous morning spent cooking local Caribbean cuisine with Helmi in her kitchen in Williamstead, Curacao. Our group cooked beautiful recipes of Helmi and then shared a banquet of food together for lunch. The Hospitality and grace of Helmi and her staff made this truly a memory making experience on this island. New friends have been made and I have a beautiful set of recipes to make at home.
Curaçao cooking experience
Barbara M,,Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience! We got to know the Curaçao products and how to prepare them in delicious dishes. An unforgettable day!
Food lovers need to apply!
Gwendolyn I,,Jun 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This class is definitely for the foodie. Chef Helmi guided us in preparing the most wonderful meal. If you love to cook and want to try traditional Caribbean dishes you enjoy this class.
Exceptional
Payton A,,Jun 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was one of the highlights of my vacation!!! Helmi was a fabulous host and teacher with the help of Riley, who was also great to meet and work with.
A Culinary Curacao Adventure
DANTIONE C,,May 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience is definitely a class where you not only cook but learn about the different locally grown food options. We were able to select which of the menu options we wanted to prepare and followed the instructions. It felt daunting at first until you realized that the instructions were simple and easy to follow. If you had a question Helmi and Riley were there to assist. We made the Jerk Chicken, Ceviche and Mango Aioli. The kitchen was rustic and had all the tools you needed. While we were cooking drinking options were provided and the kitchen came alive. The class starts off with Helmi providing some background on her journey and culinary point of view so you learn a lot. Once all of the food is done you get the to sit around the table and enjoy it. This experience left our bellies and hearts full. We bought one of her cookbooks and can't wait to return home to try out some recipes. This is definitely an experience to try while in Curacao.
Great time
Traci H,,May 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Helmi and Riley were excellent! We had a wonderful time hear her stories and cooking some awesome dishes.
Fantastic Cooking Class and Meal
Mike P,,Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic time. Helmi and her team were very informative, helpful, and personable. She started by giving us snacks and drinks, and then talked about some of the local ingredients that we would be using. We were allowed to choose a recipe that we would prepare under their guidance. Ultimately, we all sat down and enjoyed the meal that we all contributed to. We've been on over 20 cruises and numerous excursions, and this was one of the best experiences we've had. We would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in cooking and wants to learn by doing. Mike & Steph
Very fun
Jdcline78,,Jan 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Helmi and her whole team were awesome we do cooking classes in every country we visit this was by far our favorite one to date. We learn how to clean and prep lion fish and made a great ceviche out of it
One of the highlites of our time in Curaçao!
jeffwP8088AX,,Jan 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I joined Chef Helmi for an amazing day learning all about local ingredients and how to best prepare them. The class is great for both newcomers to a culinary environment as well as those with some experience in the kitchen. Chef Helmi & team offer guidance and support throughout the recipe creation process. Learning all about the invasive Lionfish was also a highlite. The day is culminated by sitting down for an amazing lunch and getting to know the other guests from all over the world, while enjoying the "fruits" of our labour. Thank you for such a great experience, it was definitely one of the highlites of our time in Curaçao
From US$175.00
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