Private Market Tour and Filipino Cooking Class in Manila With Isi

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Filipino cuisine with a private market tour and cooking class led by the passionate host, Isi. Explore a local market to discover essential ingredients, then head to Isi’s home for a hands-on cooking session. Learn to prepare traditional dishes like savory squash stew and calamansi pie, while gaining insights into the country’s rich culinary heritage. This intimate experience offers a chance to connect with local culture and delight your palate with the diverse tastes of the Philippines. What awaits as you step into Isi’s kitchen?

This experience made our list of the 4 Best Shopping Tours In Luzon.

Key Points

• Immersive experience led by host Isi, who has extensive knowledge of Filipino cuisine and cooking traditions.
• Hands-on cooking class featuring authentic Filipino dishes like savory squash stew and calamansi pie.
• Opportunity to explore a local market and gain insights into traditional Filipino ingredients and cooking techniques.
• Flexible menu options available to accommodate dietary preferences, ensuring an inclusive culinary experience.
• Private class format offers personalized attention and interaction with the host, creating a memorable learning environment.

Experience Overview

This private market tour and Filipino cooking class in Manila promises an immersive experience with host Isi, who boasts an impressive 4.5-star rating across 11 reviews.

Designed to offer an insider’s glimpse into Filipino culture and cuisine, this personalized experience allows participants to explore a local market and then cook traditional dishes in the host’s home.

With a menu featuring a starter, main courses, and dessert, guests can expect to sample the flavors of the Philippines while learning about the core ingredients that define the nation’s culinary traditions.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious traveler, this class provides a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and deepen your appreciation for Filipino food and hospitality.

Market Tour and Cooking Class

The market tour starts with Isi leading participants through a local market, where they’ll discover the core ingredients that define Filipino cuisine.

Isi shares insights into how these ingredients are used in traditional dishes, allowing guests to gain a deeper understanding of the flavors and techniques that make Filipino food so unique.

After the market visit, the group heads to Isi’s home to begin the cooking class.

Under Isi’s guidance, they prepare a menu of classic Filipino dishes, including the savory squash stew, grilled shrimp, soy-marinated beef, and fragrant grilled pork chops.

The experience culminates with a delightful calamansi pie for dessert, giving participants a well-rounded taste of Filipino culinary traditions.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request for this private cooking class experience. Guests simply need to advise Isi of their specific dietary requirements at the time of booking. This ensures that the menu can be tailored to accommodate all participants, allowing everyone to fully savor the authentic flavors of traditional Filipino cuisine.

Dietary Options	Ensaladang pako	Ginataang kalabasa at sitaw	Mechado	Calamansi pie
Vegetarian	✓	✓	✘	✓
Gluten-free	✓	✓	✓	✓

With Isi’s attention to detail and flexibility, guests can look forward to a customized culinary journey that caters to their individual needs and preferences.

Inclusions and Meeting Details

The experience includes a private market tour, hands-on cooking class, alcoholic beverages, and all applicable fees and taxes.

Guests will meet at the specified location in Taguig, Metro Manila, which is provided upon booking, with the activity starting at 9:30 am and concluding back at the same meeting point.

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

This activity is accessible for service animals, but strollers are permitted while wheelchairs are not.

It’s important to note that this isn’t a professional cooking class, but rather an insider’s glimpse into local Filipino culture and cuisine.

Lastly, free cancellation is available up to 2 days in advance.

Additional Information

This experience offers a glimpse into local Filipino culture and cuisine, rather than a professional cooking class.

While this isn’t a formal culinary instruction, it provides an insider’s perspective on the core ingredients and traditional dishes that define Filipino gastronomy. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the vibrant flavors and traditions that shape this unique culinary heritage through the private market tour and hands-on cooking experience.

Service animals are permitted, but strollers are the only additional mobility aids allowed, as the activity isn’t wheelchair accessible.

Guests can receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and free cancellation is possible up to 2 days prior to the event.

Filipino Culture and Cuisine

Filipino cuisine is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, techniques, and ingredients that reflect the archipelago’s diverse cultural heritage.

From the sour and savory dishes of the north to the rich, coconut-based curries of the south, each regional specialty offers a unique window into the country’s culinary traditions.

Throughout the islands, local produce and seafood take center stage, with staple ingredients like rice, fish, coconut, and tropical fruits shaping the backbone of beloved dishes.

The cooking class provides an opportunity to explore these rich culinary traditions, guiding participants through the preparation of iconic Filipino fare like the fragrant ginataang kalabasa at sitaw and the tangy calamansi pie.

Private Class Format

Hosted in the comfort of the instructor’s home, the private cooking class format allows participants to enjoy the nuances of Filipino cuisine and culture.

The intimate setting fosters personalized attention and interaction with the host, Isi, who shares insights and stories that wouldn’t be possible in a larger group setting. This format enables a deeper dive into traditional dishes, cooking techniques, and flavors.

Some key benefits of the private class include:

1. Customized menu based on participants’ dietary needs and preferences.

2. Hands-on guidance from the expert host throughout the cooking process.

3. Ample opportunity to ask questions and have them addressed in real-time.

4. A truly memorable experience tailored to each individual group.

Host Isi’s Expertise

With a deep-rooted passion for sharing her country’s rich culinary heritage, Isi brings an unparalleled expertise to the private market tour and cooking class experience. Her intimate knowledge of Filipino ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and family recipes allows her to curate an immersive journey through the flavors and traditions that define the Philippines’ vibrant food culture.

As a devoted student of her grandmother’s teachings, Isi has honed her skills over the years, mastering the art of regional Filipino cuisine. Her enthusiasm and warm hospitality create an engaging and personalized learning environment, where guests not only discover the nuances of Filipino cooking but also gain a deeper appreciation for the country’s rich cultural tapestry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Minimum Group Size for This Experience?

This experience is offered as a private class, so there is no minimum group size. Guests can book the class for themselves or a small group, allowing for a personalized and customized cooking lesson.

Can the Cooking Class Accommodate Children?

The cooking class can accommodate children. It offers a personalized experience, and the host can accommodate any dietary requirements. Children are welcome to participate in the cooking activities and learn about Filipino culture and cuisine.

Is There Any Dress Code or Special Attire Required?

There is no strict dress code for this cooking class. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable, casual clothing that they don’t mind getting a bit messy in during the hands-on cooking activities. No special attire is required.

What Is the Cancellation/Refund Policy if I Cannot Attend?

According to the information provided, there is a free cancellation policy up to 2 days in advance. If you need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund as long as it’s within the 2-day window before the activity.

Is There an Option to Extend the Experience Duration?

Yes, there is an option to extend the experience duration. Guests can request to extend the activity by an additional 1-2 hours, subject to availability and at an additional cost. This allows more time to explore the market and enjoy the cooking class.

Recap

This private market tour and cooking class in Manila with Isi offers an immersive experience into the vibrant flavors and rich culinary heritage of the Philippines.

Guests will explore a local market, learn to prepare traditional dishes, and gain insights from Isi’s expertise.

It’s a perfect opportunity for foodies to connect with Filipino culture in an intimate, hands-on setting.