The short answer
Amal is a nonprofit restaurant and training centre in Marrakech, founded in 2012, that trains disadvantaged women in professional cooking, with all its revenue funding the programme. You can eat a homestyle Moroccan lunch at its Gueliz restaurant, or cook alongside its trainee chefs in a class at the Targa centre.
In more detail
Amal trains disadvantaged women to cook professionally. The restaurant in Gueliz is where the training happens in front of real guests: a daily-changing homestyle Moroccan menu, with couscous on Fridays. Eating there is a simple way to put your lunch money somewhere useful.
The second centre, in a garden compound in Targa, runs cooking classes. Visitors spend about three hours preparing a Moroccan dish alongside the trainee chefs, including a traditional tea ceremony, by appointment. The Targa centre also opens a vegetarian buffet lunch to walk-in visitors on Saturdays.
It suits anyone who wants a cooking class with a social purpose, or is curious about Moroccan home cooking rather than restaurant food. Book the class ahead; it is by appointment, not walk-in.
If you would like it built into your days, tell us when you ask for a quote and we will plan the timing and the transfer.
Good to know
- Book the Targa class ahead; it is by appointment.
- Mention any diet or allergy when you book.
- Allow travel time: Targa is outside the medina.