Vegetarian Class, Market Visit

Overview

This class from Etnofood starts with a walk through a local market, where you meet vendors, hear a bit of food history and buy vegetables harvested that same morning from nearby organic growers. The operator's booking page frames the market stop as an education in local ingredients, and reviewers back that up, several mentioning how much they learned about fruits and vegetables native to Mexico.

Back at the kitchen, the cooking begins. You prepare a salad, a vegetarian main dish and a dessert in the traditional way, with the chef explaining each step. Reviewers describe the teaching style as clear and hands on, with instructions given verbally and then demonstrated, which worked well for visual learners.

The class runs 3.5 hours in Spanish and English and ends the way an Oaxacan meal should, with everyone sitting down together to eat what was cooked. Coffee or tea, seasonal fresh water and a wild mezcal are included, and you leave with a printed or digital recipe. It suits vegetarians, curious cooks and anyone who wants a market to table morning rather than a sightseeing tour.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at TeoLabThe class meets at TeoLab, Xicoténcatl 609 in the Centro of Oaxaca de Juárez. Transportation to the meeting point is not included.
2. Market visitA short walk to a local market to buy ingredients, meet producers and learn about native fruits and vegetables.
3. Return to the kitchenHead back to the kitchen with the ingredients picked up at the market.
4. Cooking classPrepare a salad, a vegetarian main dish and a dessert in the traditional way, guided by the chef.
5. Shared mealSit down together to eat the food, with coffee or tea, seasonal fresh water and a wild mezcal included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things will help you get the most out of this class.

• What to bring. The listing recommends a sun hat, sunscreen and comfortable clothes. You will be walking to the market and standing while cooking, so dress for both.
• Hands-on pace. The chef demonstrates each technique and then lets you do it yourself, assisting without taking over.
• Learning focus. Several travellers said the market tour and the cooking came with a lot of context, from the history and use of local products to pre-Hispanic Mexican culture. Come with questions, since reviewers note you can ask them at any point.
• Food and drink. Everything you cook is eaten at the end in a collective meal.
• Recipes to take. A printed or digital recipe is included.
• Getting there. The meeting point is TeoLab on Xicoténcatl 609 in the Centro, and transportation is not included. Plan to arrive on your own, since gratuities are also left to your discretion.

Common issues. Transportation and gratuities are the two things the listing excludes, so budget for the trip to the meeting point and any tip you choose to leave.

Common Questions