Essaouira Seafood Masterclass

Essaouira's fishing harbour has supplied some of the finest seafood in North Africa for centuries, and this three-hour masterclass transforms you from spectator to participant in that living tradition. Your morning begins at the bustling port where colourful wooden trawlers unload their overnight catch under clouds of wheeling seagulls. Your chef guide -- a native Souiri who grew up in a fishing family -- helps you select the freshest fish and shellfish, explaining the seasonality of sardines, sea bream, lobster, prawns, and the prized local oysters. You then walk through the atmospheric medina to a charming seaside cooking studio where the Atlantic breeze drifts through open shutters. The hands-on class covers the essential Moroccan seafood repertoire: you learn to prepare chermoula -- the vibrant herb and spice marinade that is the secret weapon of coastal Moroccan cooking -- then use it to prepare a whole baked fish stuffed with fresh herbs. You also master seafood tagine with saffron, olives, and preserved lemon, grilled sardines with cumin and paprika, and a zesty prawn and tomato dish perfumed with fresh coriander. The chef shares techniques for filleting, grilling over charcoal, and achieving the perfect chermoula balance. Your feast is served on a rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the harbour, the ramparts, and the endless Atlantic horizon.