Portuguese Spice Route: A brunch cooking workshop en-route to India

About this workshop

Our Portuguese Spice Route workshop is a relaxed, hands-on cooking experience set in the Algarve countryside, inspired by the journeys of Portugal’s seafarers and the flavours they brought home.

In a small, friendly group, you’ll cook together using warming spices and fresh ingredients, exploring how global influences shaped Portuguese cuisine. As we go, we share the stories behind the food—bringing the history to life in a way that feels simple, human, and memorable.

Once everything is ready, we gather around the table to enjoy a generous, brunch-style meal together, paired with a glass of wine and plenty of time to slow down and savour the moment.

Your experience highlights

• Cook together using flavours inspired by the places Portuguese explorers visited.
• Learn practical techniques and take home simple tips you can reuse.
• Enjoy a long brunch-style lunch with dessert in a calm countryside setting.
• Leave with a richer feel for the Portuguese spice route, told through food.

About your hosts

Graham and Cheryl prepare menus around fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our style is vegetable-forward and inspired by chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage, so flavours are bold, seasonal, and generous.

Most importantly, we keep the pace friendly and supportive. If you’re looking for a Portuguese Spice Route workshop that feels personal, unhurried, and delicious, you’ll be in good hands.

Your schedule

Arrive at 10:45 for coffee and tea. Then we start cooking together step by step. Afterwards, we enjoy the meal under the carob trees with a glass of wine. The Portuguese Spice Route workshop usually finishes around 3:00pm.

Our cooking workshop reviews

“Cheryl & Graham were the perfect hosts… delicious food & company in a very relaxed atmosphere, highly recommend 👌” — Maureen 🇮🇪

“We had a super fun day… we enjoyed meeting other like-minded cooks and sharing a lunch together. I’d highly recommend Cheryl and Graham’s Figs on the Funcho enterprise.”

“My sister and I had a wonderful time… The food was delicious, and the beautiful premises completed the whole picture.” 👍🏼😋👌🏼

Located at Figs on the Funcho near São Bartolomeu de Messines in the Algarve, this Portuguese Spice Route workshop is ideal for travellers seeking meaningful food experiences, slow travel, and cultural connection.