One of the many thrills about coming to Budapest is discovering its unique local culinary culture. But if you’d like to know more than just what to order in a restaurant, what better way could there be than doing a hands-on cooking crash course? Budapest’s Kitchen Pixie gives you step-by-step instructions to a three-course Hungarian or Jewish feast, making you a star behind the stove along the way. By the end, you will not only enjoy the fruits of your own labor, but leave with a full stomach, a saucy smile, a memorable experience and authentic age-old recipes that will impress your friends and family far into the future. Sounds fun, right?
Housed in a historic building on central Budapest’s ever-buzzing Király utca, Kitchen Pixie specializes in traditional Hungarian and Jewish cuisines. This labor of love has been created by Márti Bedő, a super-friendly professional chef with practical experience in the kitchen of Budapest’s prestigious Arany Kaviár. Enjoying any of her dishes feels just like going over to a friend’s place who happens to be an expert in Hungarian culinary art – and one who has so many stories to tell about the country, its culture and people. Márti’s good-time gatherings are a lighthearted introduction to Hungarian gastronomy through the eyes of a true local.
Those who wish to delve deep into Hungary’s culinary art can enjoy a real DIY dinner, cooking up a three-course Magyar meal following Márti’s careful instructions. Classes are held both in the morning and in the evening. When signing up online, participants can pre-select a set menu, which they then make together at Kitchen Pixie. They all contain authentic Hungarian dishes such as goulash soup, beef or chicken stew, Hortobágyi meaty pancakes, stuffed cabbage, fish soup, cold fruit soup, strudels, pies and all kinds of Magyar culinary wonders. The menus are all paired to offer the full range of Hungarian gastronomy in one meal, while the flavors all stay in perfect harmony. When the dishes are ready, they are taken through to Kitchen Pixie’s dining room, where guests can enjoy the fruits of their labor, as well as excellent Hungarian wines and homemade syrups.
Those after something extra can choose a cooking class complete with a market tour, where you also buy the ingredients together for the class following the shopping spree – and at the same time discover Budapest’s beautiful Great Market Hall or Szimpla’s friendly Sunday farmers’ market. Those who don’t like getting their hands dirty can opt for a private dining experience, where Márti takes care of everything from dinner to dessert and all you have to do is sit back and enjoy. Whichever event you chose, welcome bites, a traditional Hungarian welcome pálinka shot, fine Magyar wines and homemade syrups are offered throughout. Márti also picks you up by car and takes you home at the end, so there is no reason to say no to the potent pálinka.
The four-hour cooking jamborees are designed to satisfy any cultural appetite with inside information on local customs and several tidbits of traditional gastronomy practices. While you follow an age-old recipe – sometimes coming from Márti’s mum or 94-year-old grandma-in-law – you have enough freedom to tailor your dish to your own tastes while still keeping it traditional, guaranteeing that you’ll like what you cook up. The kitchen is modern and well-equipped but instead of cutting-edge machines and technology, Márti prefers regular appliances and tools found in any ordinary kitchen, so guests can re-create the recipes – that they get to keep – at home with ease.
The interior is sleek and sophisticated, mirroring the style of Márti, who wishes to show her guests a slice of real life in Hungary. If you are up for some fun, feel free to register online – the first one selects the menu – or join an already booked event, where you can meet other travelers from all over the globe. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle or have any special dietary needs, feel free to specify when signing up, as Kitchen Pixie is very conscientious. Prices stretch from 40 euros to 95 euros and the minimum number of guests is two. Courses normally take about four hours, which can stretch to five with the market tour. More details
Kitchen Pixie Budapest
Address: District VII. Kiraly utca 77.
E-mail: info@cookinghungary.com
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