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About

About Rita’s Gourmet Goa – Cooking Classes & Culinary Tours

The Beginning

  • Rita’s Gourmet Goa is a venture in culinary experiences founded by Rita Shinde.

  • Located in Dabolim, just a five-minute drive from Goa International Airport, it offers authentic Goan and Indian culinary experiences.

  • Born in Diu and raised in Goa, Rita inherited her love for Goan cuisine from her mother.

The Culinary Journey

  • After marriage to Mukund Shinde, Rita’s exposure to diverse regional cuisines deepened through friends and family from various parts of India.

  • Over the years, she enhanced her skills by attending specialized courses in Indian and international cuisines, cakes, desserts, and bread-making.

  • Her passion for cooking and entertaining friends with delicious Goan and regional dishes earned much appreciation and encouragement.

Turning Passion into Profession

  • Although a working professional, Rita always dreamed of combining her love for food and teaching.

  • With strong motivation from her husband Mukund (a true foodie and visionary with creative culinary ideas) and support from her children Anuj and Nikita, she decided to pursue her passion full-time.

  • This led to the birth of Rita’s Gourmet Goa — where passion met purpose.

The Setting

  • The cooking classes are conducted in an outdoor garden gazebo, surrounded by lush green trees, herbs, pottery, and stonework, creating a calm, tropical ambience.

  • The aim: to make cooking joyful, interactive, and creative — encouraging guests to experiment and have fun in the process.

Culinary Offerings

  • Hands-on and demonstration-style Goan and Indian cooking classes for travelers.

  • Short-term crash courses and comprehensive workshops in:

    • Indian and Goan Cuisines

    • Cakes & Desserts

    • Bread Making

  • Specialized culinary experiences such as:

    • Workshop in Indian Breads

    • Shore Culinary Tour

    • Corporate Culinary Contest

    • Culinary and Heritage Tour

Each session helps participants gain hands-on skills and take home recipes to recreate authentic dishes in their own kitchens.

Global Recognition

  • Visited by travelers from Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, USA, UK, Germany, Dubai, and many more.

  • Culinary students and chefs from Canada, France, Japan, UK, and Scotland have joined Rita’s workshops.

  • Featured personalities include:

    • John Gregory Smith (UK) – Author of Mighty Spice

    • Nici Wickes (New Zealand) – Celebrity Chef, TV Host, and Author of Cook, Eat, Enjoy

Media & Achievements

  • Featured on Fox Life’s “Twist of Taste” with MasterChef Vikas Khanna, showcasing the Goan delicacy Crab Xec Xec.

  • Appeared on Goa 365 local TV channel.

  • Covered by leading media outlets:

    • Le Figaro (France)

    • Spice Route and Jetwings (In-flight magazines)

    • The Tribune (2020) – A Cooking Vacation in India

    • Gomantak Times (2025) – Culinary Tours Inspired by a Deep Love for Cooking

  • Recipient of multiple TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence (2015–2018) and TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024.

  • Featured on Maggi Kitchen Journeys – Kuch Acha Pak Raha Hai (Zee Living Foodz), celebrating women who inspire through the power of cooking, hosted by Renuka Shahane.

Philosophy

“At Rita’s Gourmet Goa, every class is about sharing, learning, and celebrating food together — one recipe, one smile, and one memory at a time.”

– CELEBRATE THE JOY OF COOKING –