A 2025 Review of the Parisian/Colombian Cooking Class and Dining Experience

You know, I was walking through the Marais district, and honestly, I thought I had seen pretty much every kind of food experience Paris has to offer. So, you find the classic croissant-making workshops and the fancy wine-tasting evenings, right? But then, quite frankly, I came across something a little different, something that was basically a mashup of two places I love: Paris and Colombia. A cooking class that mixed French techniques with Colombian flavors, you know? It’s kind of an odd couple, sort of like putting ketchup on a croissant, or so I thought. At the end of the day, I had to book it just to see what it was all about, and really, I’m so glad I did. It’s, like, not your typical tourist thing, and that is what makes it so very special, I mean.

A Warm Welcome and First Impressions

So, the address led me to a pretty standard Parisian apartment building, you know, the kind with a big wooden door and a little courtyard inside. Actually, once I was buzzed in, I found this incredibly warm and inviting space on the third floor. The apartment itself, well, it was more or less what you’d picture: high ceilings, big windows looking out over the street, and just, like, a general feeling of old-world charm. But frankly, the air was filled with a scent that was definitely not your standard Parisian boulangerie. Instead, you could smell strong Colombian coffee brewing, with a hint of something sweet and tropical, maybe passion fruit, and so on. Our host, a woman named Elodie, greeted us with this really genuine smile. She explained that her mother was from Bogotá and her father from Lyon, so, you know, she literally grew up between two kitchens. Her whole vibe was incredibly relaxed and welcoming, honestly, making the small group of us—just six people in total—feel more or less like friends visiting for dinner instead of customers. Obviously, this setup felt immediately different from larger, more impersonal cooking schools I’ve seen.

The Art of Fusion: What’s on the Menu?

Now, as I was saying, Elodie handed us these lovely, hand-written menus that just sort of laid out our cooking adventure for the evening. And seriously, the menu was where the whole concept really came alive. It was just a little wild, in a good way. For an appetizer, for example, we were set to make arepas, those yummy Colombian corn cakes, but instead of the usual cheese or meat, we were going to top them with a very French-style mushroom fricassee with lots of garlic and parsley. You know, it’s a bit of an unexpected combination, right? The main course was arguably even more interesting. We were tasked with making a duck breast, seared perfectly pink like you’d get in a Parisian bistro, but the sauce was honestly the star: a reduction made from lulo, a tangy Colombian fruit that is sort of like a citrusy tomato. Elodie’s whole philosophy, basically, was that both cooking styles are about respecting the ingredients, so why not let them have a conversation on the plate? For instance, she showed us how the fat from the duck could, in a way, be balanced by the sharp acidity of the fruit. Frankly, it made perfect sense when she put it like that.

Hands-On Cooking: More Than Just Following a Recipe

Alright, so we tied on our aprons, and this is where the fun, you know, really began. Elodie’s teaching style is extremely approachable. She didn’t just stand there and dictate steps; instead, she worked alongside us, kind of like a helpful friend. For instance, she showed each of us how to properly score the duck skin, explaining that the crisscross pattern isn’t just for looks but, like, helps the fat render out so the skin gets super crispy. At one point, I almost sent a handful of corn flour flying across the kitchen while trying to mix the arepa dough, but obviously, she just laughed and showed me a gentler folding technique. The kitchen was just a little small, which actually turned out to be a good thing, as it made us all work together more or less as a team. You’d be passing a bowl to someone one minute and, like, asking someone else to check on your sauce the next. It was, in some respects, a very collaborative feeling, totally different from a formal class where you’re stuck at your own station. Honestly, you learned not just from Elodie, but from the little triumphs and mistakes of everyone else in the room, too.

The Grand Finale: Dining Together Like Old Friends

Finally, after all the chopping, searing, and mixing, it was time to actually sit down and eat what we had made. Elodie had set this beautiful long wooden table in her living room, with candles and a couple of bottles of French wine she suggested would pair well with our meal. And seriously, the food was absolutely amazing. The arepas were, like, fluffy and warm, and the earthy mushrooms on top were just a perfect match. But the duck, oh, the duck. It was seriously out of this world. The richness of the meat with that tangy, slightly sweet lulo sauce was, to be honest, a flavor combination I had never had before, and one I will definitely be thinking about for a long time. At the end of the day, the best part was the conversation. We sat there for almost two hours, just talking and laughing with Elodie and the other guests, sharing travel stories and so on. It pretty much stopped feeling like a class and more like a dinner party, you know? It’s arguably one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in Paris, basically because it felt so personal and genuine.

Is This Parisian-Colombian Experience Right for You?

So, you’re probably wondering if you should book this for your trip. Well, to be honest, I think this experience is almost perfect for a few types of people. If you’re an adventurous eater who, like, gets excited by new flavor combinations, then you should absolutely go for it. Similarly to me, if you’re a solo traveler, it’s a really great way to meet some interesting people in a very relaxed setting, you know? Couples looking for a unique date night activity would also, kind of, really enjoy this. On the other hand, if you are a food purist who believes French food should only be French and Colombian food should only be Colombian, this, frankly, might not be your cup of tea. It’s really all about the creative mix here. Also, as a matter of fact, the space is intimate, so if you don’t enjoy small group activities, you might want to look for something bigger. At the end of the day, it’s a very special, personal experience that gives you a little taste of two cultures in one amazing evening. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Parisian Colombian Cooking Class Details)

Key Takeaways

• This experience is basically a unique blend of French culinary techniques with vibrant Colombian flavors, so you get something pretty different.
• The class is honestly held in a private, cozy Parisian apartment, which makes for a very intimate and personal evening, you know?
• Instruction from the host, Elodie, is super hands-on and friendly, kind of like cooking with a good friend.
• The final meal is a sit-down dinner party, really, where you can enjoy the food you’ve made with wine and great conversation.
• It’s arguably best for adventurous foodies, solo travelers, and couples looking for something more than just a typical cooking class. Read our full review: Parisian Colombian Cooking Class 2025 Full Review and Details