5-Hour Cooking and Tasting Class With Market Small Group Tour

Explore the vibrant culinary culture of Cartagena, Colombia, with a hands-on cooking and tasting experience. This 5-hour class takes you on a guided tour through the famous Bazurto Market, where you’ll discover exotic fruits and learn traditional cooking techniques from a local chef. Together, you’ll prepare classic Colombian dishes like arepitas rellenas and fish in bijao, culminating in a shared meal that celebrates the rich flavors of the Caribbean. With a small group size, this immersive experience promises an unforgettable adventure for any food enthusiast. What secrets does the market hold, and what surprising flavors await your palate?

Key Points

• Immersive 5-hour cooking and tasting class in Cartagena, Colombia, featuring traditional Colombian dishes and a guided tour of the vibrant Bazurto Market.
• Hands-on cooking instruction from a local chef, focusing on techniques and flavors reflective of the region’s culinary essence.
• Exploration of Bazurto Market, including a fruit tasting showcasing a dozen exotic fruits with detailed explanations.
• Menu highlights the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean, with dishes like arepitas rellenas, fish in bijao, and platano picaro.
• Exceptional reviews with 100% of travelers recommending the class for its culture and hands-on learning experience.

Overview and Experience

This 5-hour cooking and tasting class in Cartagena, Colombia features a guided tour of the vibrant Bazurto Market.

Guests will experience lively Caribbean music, explore bustling market stalls, and enhance their culinary skills with a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef.

The class teaches participants to create traditional Colombian dishes using fresh ingredients from the market.

Participants will learn techniques and flavors that capture the essence of the region’s cuisine.

Market Details

What makes Bazurto Market Cartagena’s largest and most famous market? It’s unique, colorful, and vibrant, but can also be untidy and have strong odors.

The tour includes around 40 minutes of exploration, followed by a fruit tasting featuring a dozen exotic fruits from the market. During the fruit tasting, travelers will get in-depth explanations of the fruits’ uses.

Though the market may be lively and interesting, it’s important to note that it’s not wheelchair accessible and not recommended for young children.

Sample Menu

The sample menu for this cooking and tasting class features a range of traditional Colombian dishes.

Starters include arepitas rellenas, which are corn arepas stuffed with chicken or vegetables, and patacones rellenos, plantain baskets filled with shrimp or a tomato-onion salsa.

For the main course, you will learn to prepare fish in bijao, a dish where the fish is cooked inside a large leaf.

Dessert features platano picaro, caramelized yellow plantains served with Lulo ice cream.

This diverse menu allows participants to explore the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean region through hands-on cooking and tasting.

Logistics and Meeting Point

The meeting point for this cooking and tasting class is Cartagena Cooking School, located at Calle del estanco del aguardiente 38 #5-92 in the city’s historic center.

The class starts at 9:00 AM and returns to the same meeting point. An air-conditioned vehicle is provided for transport.

The group size is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers. The experience isn’t wheelchair accessible, but service animals are allowed.

It’s not recommended for young children. The cancellation policy allows for free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of the experience.

Accessibility and Policies

This experience isn’t wheelchair accessible, but service animals are allowed.

It’s also not recommended for young children due to the market environment.

The cancellation policy offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, providing flexibility for travelers.

Reviews for this class are exceptional, with 100% of travelers recommending the experience and an average rating of 5 stars.

Feedback highlights the opportunity to taste local dishes being cooked in the market and the ability to explore the vibrant market alongside other participants, making this a unique culture.

Traveler Recommendations

Travelers consistently praise the immersive cultural experience and hands-on learning opportunities provided by this cooking and tasting class.

With 100% of reviewers recommending the experience, the class receives an impressive 5-star average rating from 12 reviews.

Travelers highlight the chance to taste freshly prepared local dishes and explore the vibrant Bazurto Market, which one solo traveler noted was the only company that didn’t charge extra.

The market tour and fruit tasting are particular highlights, allowing participants to discover the region’s diverse produce.

What to Expect

Upon arrival at the Cartagena Cooking School, you will be greeted by the local chef who’ll lead the class.

The tour begins with a visit to the vibrant Bazurto Market, allowing travelers to explore the lively stalls and experience the sights, sounds, and smells of this bustling marketplace.

After the market tour, the class will move to the cooking school where the chef will guide participants through the preparation of traditional Colombian dishes using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Expect to learn hands-on cooking techniques and have the opportunity to taste the delicious results.

The class culminates with a shared meal, providing a memorable culinary experience immersed in the rich cultural heritage of Cartagena.

Culinary Highlights

Cooking traditional Colombian dishes is the highlight of this class, as participants learn to prepare a variety of vibrant starters, mains, and desserts. The menu includes arepitas rellenas, patacones rellenos, fish in bijao, and platano picaro. These dishes showcase the rich, diverse flavors of Colombian cuisine, with the hands-on instruction from a local chef allowing participants to enhance their culinary skills.

Starters	Main	Dessert
Arepitas Rellenas	Fish in Bijao	Platano Picaro
Patacones Rellenos	–	–
–	–	–

The cooking class provides an opportunity to take in the vibrant culinary culture of Cartagena, Colombia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Ingredients to the Cooking Class?

Bringing your own ingredients to the cooking class is generally not allowed. The class is designed for participants to learn how to use the fresh, local ingredients provided by the cooking school during the hands-on cooking session.

Is the Market Tour Wheelchair Accessible?

The market tour is not wheelchair accessible, as the information states it is "Not wheelchair accessible." However, service animals are allowed to accompany visitors on the tour.

Can I Request a Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Menu?

The cooking class offers vegetarian and gluten-free menu options upon request. Travelers can notify the Cartagena Cooking School about any dietary restrictions when booking the experience to accommodate their needs.

How Many Recipes Will We Learn to Cook During the Class?

The cooking class covers 4 traditional Colombian dishes, including starters, a main course, and a dessert. Participants will learn to prepare these recipes hands-on under the guidance of the local chef during the 5-hour experience.

Is It Possible to Extend the Duration of the Market Tour?

The tour duration can be extended, but it would come at an additional cost. The standard tour includes around 40 minutes of market exploration, which may not satisfy those seeking a more in-depth experience.

Recap

Enjoy Cartagena’s vibrant culinary culture with this hands-on cooking class and market tour. Explore the vibrant Bazurto Market, learn traditional cooking techniques from a local chef, and savor the rich flavors of the Caribbean. This immersive experience promises unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Colombian cuisine.