Month: June 2024

And…We’re Off!

June 7, 2024

We are thrilled to announce the  continued pioneering legacy of Culinary Adventures Inc by offering trips from a different angle that put the now “usual” culinary trip to Mexico on its head!

We are determined to re-focus Mexican cuisines on their places of origin to build an understanding of where the contemporary (and modern) riffs are coming from. Our trips will start and end in Mexico City (unless otherwise noted), transporting as a group to the region of interest, then back for a final wrap up with our longtime friend and collaborator, Chef Ricardo Zurita. Chef Ricardo puts your experiences together cohesively in an unforgettable masterclass (and meal!) sharing his years of research, investigation and profound love for our cuisines.

Our Trips Include: •regional cooking classes •demos •3 meals/day with group, hotel (based on double occupancy) •ground transportation (and air within Mexico, when applicable) •all fees associated with the trip (entrance fees, tips and similar)  

Excluded are: •alcoholic beverages (apart from any we consider pertinent to a class or meal) •your airfare to and from Mexico •early arrival or departure accommodations •excess baggage fees •travel insurance (strongly recommended)

Group size: A maximum of 14 guests like a large family at a restaurant in Mexico, and a minimum of 6 to keep things going.

NEW ITEM: Due to inflation since 2019, we’ve come up with a sliding scale system to encourage spreading the word and, as always, make the concept of a group the size of a large family out for a meal appealing– and it is culturally understandable in Mexico. Each upcoming trip will state its own sliding scale.

I do like to reiterate that we are the pioneers of these culinary trips in Mexico and have done them with a deep respect for our country. I continue to stand up for fair payment and respect to the people in each region we visit. Our country and its rich cultures are not a bargain, nor should any culture be so, anywhere.  75% of your fee goes just to the cooks, artisans, guides and food related places and personas!

Please see Upcoming Trips for a specific trip’s information and please email,  text or WhatsApp (760)577-2810 for any questions! 

          Hasta pronto- Carmen

“Cocina de fiesta: Oaxaca” August 31-September 10, 2024

June 7, 2024
Cook Reyna Mendoza at market in Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca

For our Oaxaca trip, we will begin (and end) in Mexico City, flying as a group to and from the Nation’s capital to Oaxaca City. There we shall contrast, what I call, the Euro-centric methods and viewpoints of local Chefs with the reality of the truly sophisticated origins via regional Cooks.

Fiesta is a word misunderstood and mistaken not only outside of, but within Mexico. There exists no one fiesta in Mexico, there are countless- and we are going to Oaxaca to explore the day by day making of just one celebrated in the Zapotec town of Teotitlán del Valle, where the renowned Cook, Reyna Mendoza, will demonstrate and share her culture’s traditions in a day by day breakdown of preparations for a specific fiesta. This is not voyeuristic; this is a sharing of knowledge and traditions, with Cook Mendoza taking our guests into her culture and thereby building deeper understanding and respect for and of each other.

Please arrive early to Mexico City to join our group from the onset, when we gather around 5pm at our hotel for introductions and a conversation about our trip’s focus with Jafet Durán, followed by cena at one of our favorite (now Michelin noted!) restaurants. The following morning, post breakfast, we head to the airport and fly to Oaxaca. Here, we will have daily classes and experiences in Teotitlán del Valle with Cook Reyna Mendoza and other noted talent; contrasted by classes and demos with regional chefs and their delicious innovations with their beloved region’s ingredients. And of course, there will be market visits, market meals, hip meals, mezcal tasting, non food related cultural excursions and yes, a little free time to explore on your own.

On our final full day back in Mexico City, Chef Ricardo Zurita will put together our culinary experiences in Oaxaca cohesively, at an unforgettable class and meal, sharing his years of investigation and love for Oaxacan cuisines. Departure morning includes breakfast at our hotel and transportation to the airport.

“Cocina de fiesta: Oaxaca 2024” starts at $6250* (see SLIDING SCALE SYSTEM) and includes: 7 cooking classes, 4 demos, 9 nights hotel (based on double occupancy), 3 meals/day, RT airfare within Mexico (Mexico City-Oaxaca-Mexico City), and all fees associated with the trip, excluding airfare to/from Mexico. [The fee for a single supplement is $400.00] Minimum participants: 6.

* SLIDING SCALE SYSTEM

Group Size (per person, double occupancy)

      6              $6250           

      8              $5350

     10             $4850

     12             $4550

     14             $4250

We have limited space and reservation time, so if interested in participating, a $550 deposit is due when signing up and final payment by July 30th. Your will receive an informative trip schedule after signing up.

With our sliding scale system, your final payment will be adjusted to the number of participants accordingly. In the extreme case of the minimum 6 participants not being met, your Culinary Adventures Inc trip deposit and payments will be fully refunded. 

Not included: •alcoholic beverages (apart from any we consider pertinent to a class or meal) •your airfare to and from Mexico •transport from international arrival •early arrival or departure accomodations •travel insurance •excess baggage fees •airline cancellation fees We strongly recommend purchasing refundable tickets and travel insurance. 

We look forward to receiving you in Mexico, sharing aspects of our cultures not designed for the tourist but indeed to create comprehension and esteem amongst each other! As I stated years ago, on our very first trip, I want to create Mexicophiles! For any questions, please email us at office@culinaryadventuresinc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to Carmen: (760)577-2810.