Private Yucatecan Cooking Lesson in a Local Merida Home

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Summary

Join expert, home-cook Sofia in the kitchen to learn to prepare a traditional Yucatecan meal from scratch. Yucatecan cuisine has been influenced by a variety of cultures, such as the indigenous Mayan people, Spanish colonizers, and the Dutch and Lebanese people who migrated to the region.  Your menu might include dishes such as sikil pak con tostadas (traditional dip made from ground pumpkin seeds, served with tortilla chips), sopa de lima (chicken soup with lime), Yucatecan tamales, empanadas de chaya con queso de bola (pastries flecked with a local green, chaya, stuffed with Edam cheese), pollo o cochinita pibil (perhaps the Yucatan’s most famous dish of slow-cooked chicken or pork which has been marinated in an achiote and sour orange marinade, wrapped in banana leaves). For dessert, Sofia serves homey dishes like dulce de papaya con queso de bola (papaya stewed in sugar served with Edam cheese). Enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare while learning about Yucatecan cultural and culinary heritage. You can expect the cooking lesson to last about 3 hours, followed by your meal. Please note that Sofia lives in a modest home with no air-conditioning. In summer months, it may be warm. Family in Mexico can be very social so you may be joined by members of Sofia's family who stop by on occasion. You will leave your authentic culinary experience with new recipes, new friends, and lifelong memories.

Tour info

Duration
5 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location

Why take this tour?

Step inside the kitchen with Sofia for an authentic, hands-on cooking lesson of Yucatecan and Mayan delicacies. Sofia prepares traditional Yucatecan dishes such as sikil pak (traditional pumpkin seed dip), sopa de lima (chicken soup with lime), empanadas de chaya, and pollo o cochinita pibil (perhaps the Yucatan’s most famous dish of slow-cooked chicken or pork which has been marinated in an achiote and sour orange marinade, wrapped in banana leaves). Sofia will teach you to prepare traditional recipes from scratch so be prepared to get your hands dirty. You will learn to prepare the entire meal as well as a fiery habanero salsa. Enjoy the delicious meal you helped prepare with your host (and her family on occasion) in her modest home in Merida. Please note that Sofia runs a homestay so while your experience will be private, there may be other guests present in her home. Enjoy this private, authentic, immersive Yucatecan food experience with a local!

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What’s included?

  • Lunch or Dinner

  • Bottled water

  • Local beer

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges

  • Gratuities

  • Private cooking class with your host Sofia

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Things to know

Before you book

  • Duration: 5h

  • Mobile tickets accepted

Covid Policy

  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Cancellation Policy

    If you cancel at least 3 days in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
Operator Website

Operated by:

Traveling Spoon

About operator:

Traveling Spoon provides travelers with private, authentic food experiences, from homemade meals to cooking classes and market tours, with local hosts in their homes.

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