Cooking Class - Vivid Flavors of the Middle East

My husband, two daughters (10 and 13) and I attended a cooking class with Chef Hamzeh and his lovely wife, Victoria. We cooked a Middle Eastern dinner. There were many dishes, all delicious (hummus with lamb confit, fresh pitas, fattoush salad, meat skewers, rice pilaf, garlic mayo, and finally a a mango-topped mild pudding). Hamzeh and Victoria were both very warm and welcoming. We asked lots of questions along the way and learned a lot. We appreciated their patience with our varying skill levels. Hamzeh made sure the girls got lots of hands on experience, too, and we were all proud to have taken part in the creation of this delicious Middle Eastern feast. I would highly recommend this class.

Chef Hamzeh was incredible!!!!! Had the best time ever at an immaculate facility in downtown central Vancouver. We were lucky enough to just have the two of us in the booking which I would definitely recommend going as a small group as we got to participate in every part of the 4 course meal except for the dessert. I am a Foods teacher but very much enjoyed being a student of Chef Hamzeh. Him and his wife provided real world examples of how to apply this into our everyday life. 10/10 pleasant experience, genuinely hoping to return next year for another one of his classes.

My husband and I recently took this cooking class with Chef Hamzeh and V, and it was genuinely one of the most memorable culinary experiences we’ve had. Chef Hamzeh has a great ability to help you to quickly learn and apply a lot of techniques through this course. He explained the why behind everything—from achieving that impossibly smooth hummus texture to balancing acidity, salt, and fat so flavors feel layered rather than loud. Making fresh pita from scratch was a revelation (and now has completely ruined store-bought pita for us). The kebabs were deeply flavorful, and we learned subtle but meaningful techniques around seasoning, skewering, and grilling that made a noticeable difference. What stood out most was how generous Chef Hamzeh and V were with their knowledge. They answered every question thoughtfully and made the entire experience feel collaborative rather than instructional. We left not just with a fantastic meal, but with real skills and recipes we’ve saved in our recipe box. Highly, highly recommend.

Chef Hamzeh was great. I had a lot of questions and he gave me some really excellent answers. Learning how to clean a squid was really fantastic and his tips on buying seafood really helped my confidence. And I'll definitely make the crab cakes for my dinner guests! A fun and fantastic experience in a beautiful setting. Thank you chef!

Really unique experience and really well organized for our group of 10!

We cook Pasta from Scratch, Chef Hamzeh is very friendly and concern on food safe and kitchen safe

Chef Hamzeh made our pizza class such a fun experience. He made it feel personal, relaxed, and genuinely special - like a masterclass with a very patient and talented chef. He was fantastic from start to finish - attentive, funny, encouraging, and always one step ahead whenever we needed help. He made the whole experience feel easy and enjoyable, and gave us the confidence to create pizzas we were genuinely proud of. We had such a great time, learned a lot, and left with a serious appreciation for how much care and talent Chef Hamzeh brings to what he does. We highly recommend Chef Hamzeh - we loved it.

Chef Hamzeh was incredible from start to finish. We got there 10 minutes early, he showed us around the top-tier professional kitchen, and gave us a quick rundown of what we were going to be doing for the class. We learned how to make focaccia fresh from scratch, risotto entree with pan fried salmon, and a lemon meringue to top it all off. I wish I took more photos, especially of the food that we made, but I was too busy living in the moment and enjoying every bite. Chef and his wife Victoria made this such a wonderful experience for me and my wife. I highly recommend for you to give his class a try!

We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Chef Hamzeh and his wife Victoria. They’re both engaging, incredibly knowledgeable, and Chef is truly talented. As someone who doesn’t cook often, I really appreciated how he broke everything down step by step, it made the whole experience feel approachable and fun. The photos don’t even come close to doing the meal justice. I’m still thinking about his elevated caprese salad, it was unreal. Delicious food, great energy, and such a fun experience overall. We’ll definitely be booking again. Highly recommend.

What a truly world class experience! Highly recommended to anyone looking to spend a unique night with an amazing teacher. Class was fun, informative and engaging. Looking forward to doing this again soon. Chef Hamzeh truly loves what he does and is very passionate.

My girlfriend and I attended chef Hamzeh's Valentine's Day class and it was amazing. It was a lovely setting and a nice smaller group with 3 other couples. The class was relaxed with some hands-on cooking and great tutorials from Chef Hamzeh. The food was amazing and the whole experience truly beat our expectations.

I had the opportunity to work with Chef Hamzeh, and it was a great experience. He is a supportive and knowledgeable leader who creates a positive kitchen environment. He communicates clearly and always makes sure the team stays focused and motivated. Chef Hamzeh consistently pushed us to maintain high standards, while also being patient and willing to teach. I learned a lot from working with him, and I always appreciated how respectful and professional he was with everyone on the team.

Chef Hamzeh, thank you for being part of my event. Your presence and expertise made it exceptional, and it was a pleasure having you with us.

Working with Chef Hamzeh has been an incredible experience. He’s not your typical chef – he’s proactive, always learning new recipes, and truly understands the kitchen from the ground up. Hamzeh consistently shows up on time and delivers some of the most delicious and creative dishes I’ve ever tasted. He uses his resources wisely and maintains a high standard when ordering supplies, always choosing premium, fresh ingredients – sometimes it feels like the food came straight from the farm. His prep skills are unmatched. Hamzeh is a true one-man show, and it’s fascinating to watch him prepare, cook, and serve guests with such ease and confidence. I’m genuinely grateful to work alongside such a skilled and competent chef.

Chef Hamzeh is one of those one-of-a-kind chefs that you come across in the walks of life and feel really glad you did. His love for food is translated into his craft and his storytelling makes experiences even more special. Come prepared to embark on a truly culinary journey.

Chef Hamzeh, I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the wonderful session I attended with you. It was exceptionally well-organized, engaging, and full of valuable insights. Your passion, skill, and attention to detail truly elevated the experience. Thank you for such an excellent session – I left inspired and grateful.

I had an outstanding experience with Chef Hamzeh, who catered my birthday celebration. Choosing him was one of the best decisions I made for the event. From our first interaction, he stood out with his professionalism, clear communication, and thoughtfully designed menu that immediately caught my attention. On the day of the event, Chef Hamzeh arrived fully prepared and perfectly on time. His setup was smooth and organized, and he carried himself with a level of confidence and expertise that instantly put me at ease. Every dish he prepared was exceptional – beautifully presented, full of vibrant flavors, and crafted with real culinary artistry. You could genuinely taste the quality and passion in every bite. What made the experience even more special was how effortlessly he handled everything behind the scenes. He created a warm, elevated dining atmosphere, allowing me and my guests to relax and fully enjoy the evening. Thanks to Chef Hamzeh, my birthday felt truly memorable and seamless from start to finish. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a talented, reliable, and innovative private chef. I will definitely be booking him again for future events.

This is not a cozy cooking class at a local chefs house as the name “Cozymeal” would suggest. People booking the private experience should note that this is a rather sterile kitchen with harsh lighting attached to an appliance store. The chef also does not eat the meal with you and may prepare seperate food as was the case during my class.