Cooking class in Saly: thiéboudienne and mafe - Que Faire au Sénégal

Senegalese cooking class in Saly: thiéboudienne and mafe

Cancellation Policy

Private / tailor-made activities — 72 h minimum cancellation

If you book the activity privately, free cancellation is possible up to at least 72 h before. A longer deadline set by the provider is shown to you before payment. After that, the amount paid for your booking is non-refundable. Deadlines in Senegal local time.

Applies to: private boat, private excursion, event, group.

For any further details on our cancellation terms, please refer to our dedicated page: Cancellation policy

Information

Saly

Repas inclus

All levels

Group, private

Description of this activity

A cooking class in Saly with the sea as supplier: thiéboudienne and mafe are cooked with the day’s produce, including fish that depends on what lands at Mbour port. Ingredients, apron and meal are included, and a tasting closes the session.

Two dishes, one meal

The session begins with an introduction to the ingredients: broken rice, vegetables (cassava, carrot, sweet potato, aubergine), fish from the coast, peanut paste, mild spices, traditional herbs and condiments. The group compares the produce, the regional variations and the differences between urban, coastal and rural cooking.

Thiéboudienne, in a red or white version depending on the catch: cleaning and seasoning the fish, preparing the nokoss (pounded spices), cutting the vegetables, broth, cooking the rice soaked in the flavours.
Mafe, a comforting peanut-paste dish: aromatic base over a low heat, vegetables, stirring in the paste, seasoning to the group’s taste, with a vegetarian version possible.

The class is interactive: everyone can handle, chop, mix or cook. It takes place in a calm setting in Saly, often in a semi-open space, sometimes near the beach.

What you need to know

Ingredients, apron and meal are included. Thiéboudienne takes several steps: the class is organised to keep the preparation simple and smooth. The meal is enjoyed on site, with explanations about the place of these dishes in Senegalese cuisine, and some portions may be taken away depending on the day’s conditions. Light clothing is preferable, as the kitchen can be hot. A sheet or a photo of the steps may be provided as a keepsake.

If you live in Dakar, it is a weekend on the coast with an activity for several people, which changes from the beach. If you are visiting, it is how you come to understand a dish you will meet at every meal.

Cooking in Saly

The class takes place in Saly, a resort on the Petite Côte, about 80 km south of Dakar, between fresh markets and sea air. The fishing port of Mbour, where the morning’s fish is unloaded, helps you understand the supply chain.

Around Saly

To extend the day, the Somone lagoon can be explored by pirogue, and Saly’s craft village lets you bring back a souvenir. Other Senegalese cooking classes are available across the country, and a private beach day relaxes you afterwards.