While many travelers come to Vienna for its imperial palaces and world-class art, I found myself drawn to another aspect of Austrian culture – its cuisine. After a morning exploring Vienna’s coffee houses and museums, I was thrilled to trade artwork for apron strings through Avalon Waterways’ DISCOVERY tour program on their Danube river cruise. So I excitedly signed up for their Vienna cooking class excursion.
From Sightseeing to Sautéing
The transition from tourist to student chef happened seamlessly. With my feet tired from museum wandering and my mind full of Klimt and Schiele masterpieces, I was more than ready for a change of pace. Our small group made our way to Andante Vienna, a charming cooking school tucked away from the main tourist thoroughfares. It was a beautiful culinary classroom, with plenty of light, tables for prepping as well as eating, and a central island for the chef to lead our instruction.
Meeting Our Culinary Guide
If great travel experiences hinge on memorable characters, then our cooking class hit the jackpot with Nabiel. Our instructor greeted us with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loves sharing his culinary knowledge. Within minutes, his infectious energy and humor had transformed our group of strangers into a lively cooking brigade. We were welcomed with glasses of sparkling wine and a nice dose of humor too. (And later we were offered espresso and more wine to keep the energy going!)
Rolling Up Our Sleeves
What sets this experience apart from many cooking demonstrations is its hands-on nature. No sitting back and watching here. Nabiel had us rolling up our sleeves and diving right into the heart of Austrian cuisine. The menu was a perfect Austrian trifecta: Wiener schnitzel with traditional Austrian potato salad. And, of course, apple strudel for dessert.
The art of stretching strudel dough until it’s nearly transparent requires patience and a gentle touch. We failed quite a bit, but Nabiel guided us through each step while offering tips and tales of his grandmother’s techniques. And helped fix our mistakes as we went along. Once the apple strudel was baking, we started on the less time consuming main course. The satisfying crack of breading a perfectly pounded schnitzel and the careful balance of vinegar and herbs in the potato salad brought our senses into the moment. These tactile memories stay with you long after the meal is finished.
A Vienna Cooking Class Is More Than Just Cooking
Between steps, Nabiel peppered our lesson with stories about Viennese food culture, insider restaurant recommendations, and the kind of culinary secrets you won’t find in guidebooks. The casual sipping of sparkling wine and espresso throughout the class created an atmosphere more akin to cooking with friends than a formal lesson.
Savoring Our Success
The grand finale, of course, was enjoying the fruits of our labor. Sitting down together to taste our creations brought a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie that’s rare in typical tourist experiences. Of course, we all had to pause for photos. The camera eats first! The schnitzel was perfectly golden and crisp, the potato salad tangy and herbaceous, and the strudel would have made any Viennese grandmother proud.
The Perfect Complement
What makes Avalon Waterways’ approach to excursions special is this variety of experiences. The DISCOVERY program, which included this Vienna cooking class, allows travelers to engage with destinations on a deeper level, moving beyond passive sightseeing into active participation. After days of absorbing history and art, getting my hands busy creating something quintessentially Austrian provided the perfect balance.
For fellow travelers with a passion for food, I cannot recommend this excursion highly enough. It offers a delicious window into Austrian culture that will enhance your appreciation of every subsequent meal during your stay. And should you find yourself back home craving schnitzel or strudel, you’ll have the skills to recreate a taste of Vienna wherever you are.
