If you love to cook or want to learn something new you can take a cooking class in Antigua at your stop in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. You’ll meet your guide outside of your Puerto Quetzal cruise ship terminal to be transported to Antigua for your cooking class. The approximately 90-minute drive takes you to the small city in southern Guatemala, famous for its Spanish colonial architecture and surr
ounded by volcanoes. Your first stop is at the local market for all the ingredients you’ll need in the class. Your guide will lead you through the maze of stalls displaying all the fresh ingredients needed. Once you have gathered everying, it is just a short walk to La Tortilla Cooking School where you’ll have 3 hours to learn from a local chef how to prepare delicious Guatemalan dishes. This unique experience allows you to learn more about the history and society of Guatemala through the stories and knowledge of the local instructors. These friendly chefs will help you create your own dishes while entertaining you with anecdotes of Guatemalan culture. Learn to make these dishes in a beautiful authentic kitchen and then enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared. Through the preparation of the meals, you’ll get an understanding of the blend of Mayan and Spanish colonial influences. Your chef will explain and demonstrate how each ingredient influences the recipe and you’ll gain knowledge of blending, mixing, and cooking so you can prepare these dishes again back home. You’ll be preparing 6 popular local dishes that include the following. Pepian is one of four national dishes that is a hot and hearty vegetable and chicken stew, rice, tortillas, radish salad with a citrus flavor. Rellenitos dessert made with plantain and chocolate and often served with sugar or sour cream. On completion of the preparations, you’ll sit down with other guests to enjoy the delicious creations. Included is a complimentary bottle of water and wine during the class and soft drinks and beer are available for purchase at the school. After your scrumptious meal, you’ll be driven back to your cruise ship port in Puerto Quetzal.
