For many travelers, eating is more than just a necessity — it’s a passion. And for people looking to create their own culinary magic, Mexico excels at offering a wide variety of options, with cooking classes that unlock unique and mouthwatering flavors from Mexico and beyond. Here are a few of our favorites.
Capella Pedregal, Los Cabos
Capella Pedregal, an AAA Five Diamond resort in Los Cabos, offers a variety of programs for foodies. Guests can choose a one-day culinary class, which teaches the preparation of gourmet ceviches, tamales and salsas and moles.
The more immersive, three-day culinary class begins with a shopping trip to local markets with the hotel chef, who guides participants as they choose the best ingredients for preparing a tasty Mexican meal. On the second day, guests use these ingredients to create the dishes, and on the third day the focus is on making Mexican desserts, including churros and flan. Lunch is provided daily and participants take home a personalized chef’s jacket as part of the three-day program.
www.capellahotels.com
One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos
At One&Only Palmilla in Los Cabos, gourmands can join a culinary journey to the resort’s own herb garden, or attend a special tour of its organic farm, which is located at nearby Huerta Los Tamarindos. At the farm, participants can pick their own vegetables and take cooking classes led by one of the resort’s expert chefs.
www.palmilla.oneandonlyresorts.com
El Arrayan, Puerto Vallarta
In Puerto Vallarta, travelers can learn new culinary tricks at El Arrayan, a restaurant in the heart of the city. In a traditional yet creative atmosphere, the venue offers two programs, one of which starts at 9:30 am with a lesson in how to prepare typical Mexican breakfasts. A visit to a local market and a souvenir apron are included. Local delicacies such as chile, corn, cactus and bean, are among the staples that go into the great flavors in El Arrayan’s classes.
www.Elarrayan.com.mx
Sacristia de la Compania, Puebla
To learn from the experts about the addictive Mexican sauce called mole, travelers can head straight to the source: the city of Puebla, where mole poblano is one of the most legendary culinary creations. An upscale boutique hotel called Sacristia de la Compania is among the venues that offer hands-on cooking instruction that focuses on this tasty, chocolate-based favorite. In addition to individual classes, the hotel offers a six-night package called Puebla Cuisine, which includes a welcome cocktail, six a-la-carte breakfasts, one dinner, a guided city tour and 15 hours of Mexican cooking instruction in either English or Spanish.
www.mesones-sacristia.com
Hotel Royal Villas, Mazatlan
Cooking with musical flair is possible in Mazatlan, where a company called Salsa and Salsa offers a three-hour experience with appropriately named “dancing chef” instructors. The class, which takes place at the Hotel Royal Villas, provides step-by-step guidelines for preparing several types of Mexican salsa, including red, green, guacamole and pico de gallo. The instructors also teach how to make traditional and frozen strawberry margaritas, which are then served with the freshly made salsa and chips. After guests have sampled the food and beverages (in case you were wondering what the second “salsa” in the program’s name is about), the instructors then teach participants the basics of salsa dancing.
www.royalvillas.com.mx
Salsa and Salsa, Cozumel
Salsa and Salsa offers a similar experience in Cozumel at the Hotel Cozumel & Resort, with sauce-making and margarita-making lessons followed by time on the dance floor. After experiencing so many mouthwatering cooking classes, a bit of musical exercise may be the perfect complement.
www.salsaandsalsa.com
