A New Culinary Chapter at Palais Amani in the Heart of Fez
– The hotel and Fez Cookery School welcome new head chef Hamid Miss
– The Fez Cooking School offers a unique insight into the city through food
– Experience the timeless Moroccan tea ceremony in the hotel’s courtyard
Award-winning chef Hamid Miss returns to Morocco, as Palais Amani invites travellers to discover Fez through its food, heritage and traditions.
Located within the UNESCO-listed medina of Fez, Palais Amani and the Fez Cooking School are delighted to welcome Moroccan-born chef Hamid Miss as Head Chef of Eden restaurant and the Fez Cooking School. Hamid’s journey from Morocco to France and back again is a foodie one. Having left Morocco as a teenager, he built his culinary career in Toulouse, working alongside some of the region’s most respected chefs before establishing his own restaurant, La Pente Douce. His cooking, rooted in Mediterranean produce and classical French technique, has always retained the influence of his Moroccan upbringing. In 2020, he was awarded Best Couscous in France by French television show “Très très bon” which sets out to showcase the finest restaurants, eateries and other hidden foodie gems in France.
Now, after many years in France, Hamid has returned to his native country to lead the kitchen at Palais Amani and oversee the Fez Cooking School. His cuisine brings together French culinary experience and Moroccan heritage, with menus shaped by the seasons and the produce of Morocco. His celebrated couscous features alongside a Moroccan-inspired menu, a daytime lunch offering and an informal tapas-style menu inspired by the daily market. During warmer days and evenings, diners can be served either in the Gardens or on the Roof top Terrace.
Food is also at the heart of the Fez Cooking School, located on Palais Amani’s rooftop. The experience begins in the medina, where guests explore the souks with a chef, discovering and tasting the ingredients that form the foundation of Moroccan cooking. Returning to the palace, they then take part in a cookery class on the hotel’s roof terrace with 360 views of the city before sitting down to enjoy the dishes they have prepared. Available as private or group experiences, the four-hour experience offers an intimate introduction to both Moroccan cuisine and the everyday life of the Fez medina.
For those seeking a cultural short break beyond Morocco’s more familiar destinations, Fez offers a fantastic alternative. Its ancient medina remains a living city of commerce, craftsmanship and culture, with narrow lanes leading to traditional souks, historic monuments, artisan workshops and quiet courtyards. Beyond the medina are the Jnan Sbil gardens and the surrounding hills.
Palais Amani was originally the home of one of Fez’s prominent families, the property was later carefully restored over four years, retaining elements dating from the 17th century as well as distinctive Art Deco details from the 1930s. Today, the 21-room palace is centred around a 600m² garden and includes Eden restaurant, a rooftop bar, library bar, traditional hammam and the Fez Cooking School. For a city increasingly attracting travellers interested in food, culture and authentic experiences, Fez offers a different view of Morocco: historic, atmospheric and distinctly its own.
And at Palais Amani, that story is now being told through the food of a chef who has finally come home.
Eight Unmissable Experiences in Fez in 2027
1. Master Moroccan cuisine at the rooftop Fez Cooking School.
2. Lose yourself in the UNESCO-listed medina, Africa’s largest car-free historic quarter.
3.Escape to the tranquil Jnan Sbil Gardens, one of the city’s most peaceful green spaces.
4. Relax with a traditional Moroccan hammam ritual at Palais Amani (see below).
5. Venture into the surrounding hills for a scenic hike and gourmet picnic arranged by Palais Amani’s concierge.
6. Discover the fascinating history of Arabic writing and traditional calligraphy.
7. Take part in an authentic Moroccan mint tea ceremony at Palais Amani.
8. Visit the vibrant cultural hub Café Clock for music, art, storytelling and panoramic rooftop views.
A Timeless Moroccan Tea Ceremony at Palais Amani
No visit to Morocco is complete without experiencing its iconic mint tea ritual. Within Palais Amani’s peaceful citrus garden, guests are invited to join the hotel’s tea master, Ba Mohammed, for a traditional Moroccan tea ceremony. Learn the secrets behind selecting fresh mint, preparing the perfect tea and serving Moroccan tea using beautifully crafted traditional tea sets, accompanied by Moroccan pastries. Available daily for both hotel guests and visitors, the 30-minute experience is priced from €10 per person.
www.palaisamani.com 12 Derb el Miter, Oued Zhoune, Fes Medina, 30000, Morocco
B&B is priced from £180.00 per room per night
Getting there: Ryanair (London Stansted) two-three times weekly or Ryanair (via Marrakech)
Photo credit: Omar Chennafi
