Traditional Cooking Class With Minerva Lopez

Minerva Lopez’s traditional cooking class offers a unique opportunity to take in the vibrant flavors of Oaxacan cuisine. Participants can expect a hands-on culinary journey, where they’ll learn to prepare iconic dishes like mole, tamales, and handmade tortillas. With a maximum of 10 attendees, the class ensures personalized attention and a friendly atmosphere, as Minerva shares her passion and expertise. Beyond the cooking experience, this class provides a glimpse into the local culture, as attendees explore markets for fresh ingredients. Whether a foodie or a cultural enthusiast, the class promises a memorable experience that’ll leave you craving more.

This experience made our list of the 7 Best Cooking Classes In Oaxaca City.

Key Points

• Hands-on cooking experience in Oaxacan cuisine, including making tortillas, mole, and tamales under the guidance of local expert Minerva.
• Immersive cultural experience with a market tour, personal stories, and the use of traditional cooking methods like a clay griddle.
• Personalized attention in a small group setting, with a maximum of 10 participants, to ensure an engaging and educational culinary adventure.
• Comprehensive offering that includes a local market tour, lunch, drinks, and a seasonal dessert featuring native and exotic fruits.
• Centrally located in Oaxaca City with a pickup option at the Zocalo, ensuring easy accessibility for participants.

Class Overview

The Traditional Cooking Class with Minerva Lopez in Oaxaca City, Mexico, offers travelers an immersive culinary experience, boasting a 5.0 rating from 120 reviews and a Badge of Excellence.

With a maximum of 10 participants, the class provides personalized attention and hands-on learning in Minerva’s outdoor kitchen. Priced at €88.20, the class includes a local market tour, lunch, alcoholic beverages, and a seasonal dessert.

Guests can choose from a variety of Oaxacan specialties, such as mole, corn-based dishes, and tamales. The class is conveniently located in the city center, with an alternative pickup option at the Zocalo.

Interested travelers can contact Minerva via WhatsApp to secure their spot and ask any questions before the experience.

Cooking Experience and Menu

Guests can look forward to an engaging culinary journey, with a menu that highlights the rich flavors and traditions of Oaxacan cuisine.

The class features a variety of starters, including the house chocolate with traditional bread and hand-made tortillas cooked on a clay griddle.

For the main course, participants can choose from three options: the renowned Oaxacan mole (with a selection of 10 varieties), an immersive experience with corn (including two sauces and quesadillas), or the classic Oaxacan tamales (black mole, green sauce, and sweet).

The meal concludes with a typical seasonal dessert made with native and exotic fruits.

Throughout the experience, guests will enjoy lunch, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and a guided tour of the local market.

Meeting and Pickup Information

Participants can meet Minerva, the cooking class host, at the meeting point located at Gral. Antonio de León 1 in Oaxaca’s city center.

Alternatively, they may opt for pickup at the Zocalo, in front of the cathedral, if preferred.

For any questions, travelers can contact Minerva via WhatsApp at +529512903409.

The class activity concludes back at the original meeting point.

The start time for the experience is 9:00 am, and attendees can expect to enjoy a comprehensive cooking class, market visit, and a delightful lunch featuring traditional Oaxacan dishes and beverages like mezcal cocktails and beer.

Participant Experiences

Participants’ positive experiences often highlight the engaging market visit, the opportunity to cook in an outdoor kitchen, the delicious food, and the hands-on participation throughout the class.

Reviewers rave about the highlights of the experience:

1. Shopping for local ingredients at the vibrant market, which allows them to enjoy Oaxacan culinary culture.

2. Learning about the rich diversity of Oaxacan cuisine from Minerva, who shares her expertise and passion for traditional recipes.

3. Engaging in a friendly, welcoming environment where they can interact with Minerva and her family, creating a memorable cultural experience.

While some found the group cooking style limiting, the majority of participants describe the class as an engaging and educational culinary adventure.

Accessibility and Additional Information

For the traditional cooking class, the accessibility and additional information are as follows. The class is not wheelchair accessible, but strollers are allowed. Service animals are permitted as well. The location is near public transportation, making it easily accessible. Participants will receive confirmation upon booking, and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. On top of that, transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle, ensuring a comfortable experience throughout the class.

Accessibility	Additional Information
Not wheelchair accessible	Confirmation received at booking
Stroller accessible	Vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free options available
Service animals allowed	Transport provided in air-conditioned vehicle

This cooking class is an engaging and educational experience suitable for all cooking enthusiasts, regardless of their dietary restrictions or mobility needs.

Oaxacan Cuisine Highlights

The traditional cooking class in Oaxaca City, Mexico, offers a delightful immersion into the rich and diverse flavors of Oaxacan cuisine. Participants can expect to learn about and prepare a range of signature Oaxacan dishes, from the renowned Oaxacan mole to the unique corn-based creations.

The class features three highlights:

1. The opportunity to choose from 10 different varieties of mole, each with its own distinct blend of spices and ingredients.

2. The hands-on experience of making traditional hand-made tortillas on a clay griddle.

3. The chance to explore the seasonal and exotic fruits used in the typical Oaxacan dessert.

With Minerva’s guidance, the class promises an engaging and educational exploration of the vibrant culinary traditions of Oaxaca.

Hands-on Cooking Participation

Hands-on cooking lies at the heart of this traditional Oaxacan culinary experience, allowing participants to actively engage with the preparation of iconic local dishes.

Under Minerva’s expert guidance, you’ll learn to craft the perfect tortilla on a clay griddle, mix and cook a range of moles using authentic ingredients, and craft delectable Oaxacan tamales.

The interactive nature of the class encourages hands-on involvement, fostering a deeper understanding of the region’s rich culinary traditions.

Whether you’re seasoning the sauces, shaping the tamales, or arranging the final presentation, you’ll gain invaluable insights into the art of traditional Oaxacan cooking.

This immersive experience promises to leave you with newfound appreciation for the flavors and techniques that define this vibrant cuisine.

Cultural Immersion Experience

Beyond the hands-on cooking, this class offers a truly immersive cultural experience, allowing participants to deeply engage with Oaxaca’s vibrant traditions. Travelers not only learn to prepare iconic local dishes, but also gain intimate insights into the region’s rich culinary heritage through interactions with Minerva and her family.

The culture is further enhanced by:

1. The market tour, where guests discover unique local ingredients and learn about their significance in Oaxacan cuisine.

2. The use of traditional cooking methods and equipment, such as the clay griddle for making tortillas, which provides an authentic connection to longstanding foodways.

3. The welcoming atmosphere created by Minerva’s family, who share personal stories and invite participants to feel like honored guests in their home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Group Size for This Cooking Class?

The average group size for this cooking class is limited to a maximum of 10 travelers. This intimate group setting allows for personalized attention and a more immersive cooking experience with the instructor.

Are There Any Discounts or Special Offers Available?

The cooking class offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, but there aren’t any specific discounts or special offers mentioned. The regular price range is from €88.20 per person for the 10-person maximum group.

Can the Class Be Customized for Dietary Restrictions?

The cooking class can be customized to accommodate dietary restrictions. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available upon request. The instructor is happy to work with participants to ensure their needs are met during the hands-on cooking experience.

How Is the Cooking Class Structured (Individual Vs. Group)?

The cooking class is structured as a group experience, with participants working together to prepare the menu items. This allows for hands-on learning, shared knowledge, and a collaborative cooking environment.

Is There an Option to Extend the Class Duration?

Customers can inquire about extending the class duration when booking. The class typically lasts a few hours, but some providers may offer options to extend the experience for a fee, subject to availability and instructor agreement.

Recap

The Traditional Cooking Class with Minerva Lopez offers an immersive cultural experience, where participants learn to prepare authentic Oaxacan dishes while exploring local markets and ingredients.

With personalized attention and Minerva’s expertise, attendees savor delicious meals and gain a deeper appreciation for the rich flavors and traditions of Oaxacan cuisine in a friendly, hands-on setting.