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.
Dates for our San Miguel de Allende Trip are September 21st – 29th, 2019!
Sign up now as we are already filling our roster…
Join us on an adventure to the high, fertile el Bajío (lowlands) region or heartland of Mexico, where vestiges of the colonial past stand as reminders of their Spanish domination both in San Miguel as in Querétaro.
From chef classes to in-home meals, regional cooks to demos of local foods both pre-Colombian and post, along with our customary local cultural experiences, we will soak up the warmth of this region, with some time to roam and ramble throughout the charm of San Miguel… and of course, we include a taste of Mexico City. Contrasts- as always- on our culinary adventures!
We are very happy to announce our March Culinary Adventure to the central high plateau of Mexico– Puebla and Tlaxcala!
Starting off and ending in Mexico City, our very own Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita will launch us into this culinary world and recap at the end of our adventures. We will explore the colonial beauty of Puebla– which is Ana Elena Martínez‘s hometown, the small but mighty and historicallyweightyTlaxcala– with Chef Irad Santacruz, Cooks Nicolás Hernández Muñoz and Dalia Rodríguez Hernández, delving into the distinctive, extraordinary foods that each place adds to Mexico’s soul satisfying gastronomy.
Plan to arrive at least a day early to join our group from the very first gathering on Sunday, March 10th, 2019 at 6pm.
The fee for this culinary adventure is $3750 double occupancy, $4000 single occupancy. As is custom these past 33 years, our fee includes daily classes and demos, 8 nights hotel, at least two meals a day and all fees associated with the trip, excluding airfare. All classes include well-served tastings or meals– you do not go hungry on our trips!
A $400 deposit is required to reserve a spot on our trip with the balance due January 25th, 2019.
Ricardo, Ana Elena and I are committed to sharing our respective knowledge, love and passion of our country’s culinary riches, our people, and regional cultures. After 33 years, we still get all revved up planning a new adventure!
From the serene, colonial state capital of Mérida, to majestic Uxmal on the Puuc loop of archeological sites, we will soak up Yucatán via regional food –of course– music, and history.
Culinary Adventures, Inc. 