See below dates and details for our Spring 2026 Arabic Cooking Series.
If you have any questions, please email us at info@alifinstitute.org
Cooking is one of the best ways to get to know a culture! Join us for a fun-filled and educational afternoon learning to cook and enjoy popular Arabic dishes with our talented guest chefs. You’ll leave with new culinary skills, a deeper connection to the cultural traditions behind the dish, a warm meal to enjoy and new friendships.
EACH CLASS INCLUDES:
- Step-by-step cooking instruction
- All ingredients and equipment
- A finished meal to take home
- Recipe to take home
- New friends!
MORE DETAILS:
- All classes are on Saturdays, from 2 PM – 4:30 PM.
- Ages 13 years old and up!
- No experience is required and all levels are welcome.
- Spaces are limited, so first come, first served for registration.
- You can register by yourself or share your station with a partner.
- Up to 48 hours prior to the session: Refunds and credits are available up to 48 hours prior to your reserved session. For refunds, an administrative fee of $5 will be applied.
- No credit or refund is available after 48 hours before a reserved class.
Want to support this program? You can also SPONSOR a session with a tax-deductible donation of $250!
The Art of Arabic Cooking 2026
Saturday, June 13, 2026
2 pm – 4:30 pm
$60 / $65 non-SANAD Team member
$80/pair, $85/pair, non-SANAD Team members
Registration deadline:
Friday, June 12 at 12 PM.
To become a member, please click HERE.
(You need to be signed into the website as a member to get the member price.)
Guest chef:
Rania Renno
Join us for a hands-on cooking class featuring Mahshi, one of the most beloved comfort dishes across the Arab world. In this workshop, we’ll prepare tender zucchini and eggplant stuffed with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, rice, and warm spices, then simmered slowly in a rich garlic tomato broth until perfectly tender.
You’ll learn traditional techniques for coring and stuffing vegetables, balancing spices, and creating the deeply comforting flavors that make Mahshi a cherished family meal passed down through generations.
Come cook, learn, and share a meal together while exploring the warmth and hospitality at the heart of Arabic home cooking.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
2 pm – 4:30 pm
$55 / $60 non-SANAD Team member
$75/pair, $80/pair, non-SANAD Team members
To become a member, please click HERE.
(You need to be signed into the website as a member to get the member price.)
Guest chef:
Yasmine Makhlouf
Discover the rich, comforting flavors of one of Palestine’s most beloved and iconic dishes. In this hands-on cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare Musakhan: tender, slow-cooked chicken layered with deeply caramelized onions, fragrant sumac, and warm spices, all served over traditional flatbread.
Guided step by step, participants will explore essential techniques, from balancing flavors to achieving the perfect texture, while gaining confidence in recreating this dish at home. Along the way, we’ll share the cultural and historical roots of Musakhan, a meal that brings families and communities together and reflects the agricultural traditions of the region.
More than just a cooking class, this is an opportunity to connect through food, stories, and shared experience. Come cook, learn, and gather around the table to enjoy a true taste of Palestinian heritage.
The Art of Arabic Cooking 2025
The Art of Arabic Cooking 2024
