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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Maria

Quito, Ecuador

USD
$64-$210 per person

Traditional Ecuadorian Home Cooking Class in Quito

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Maria

Maria’s passion for food started young, when she was a cooking assistant in her mother's kitchen! Maria learned to cook traditional meals from her mother. And then used this skill and knowledge to run her own restaurant, where she served authentic Ecuadorian meals that she grew up eating. For the last 26 years, Maria has been working in the hospitality and gastronomy industry. She not only enjoys cooking but also thrives on meeting new people and sharing her culinary knowledge. Her passion for Ecuadorian cuisine inspired her to offer cooking classes in Quito, where she teaches family recipes and introduces visitors to the rich flavors of her culture.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Maria lives in Sangolquí, a peaceful suburb of Quito, with her husband and their three children. She has a deep passion for Ecuadorian cuisine and loves preparing authentic dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Ecuadorian food is simple yet flavorful, and if you enjoy a bit of heat, you can always add some homemade hot sauce! Join Maria for a hands-on cooking class in Quito, where you'll learn to prepare a traditional Ecuadorian meal using her cherished family recipes. In this immersive 1-hour experience, you'll make two dishes from scratch—an appetizer and a main course—right in Maria's home kitchen. As you cook, she'll share expert tips, tricks, and fascinating anecdotes about Ecuador's history and culinary traditions.

After your cooking class, sit down with Maria and her family (when they’re home) to enjoy the meal you helped create. Some of the delicious dishes you might share include llapingachos (potato pancakes), ceviche, and empanadas. To end on a sweet note, savor quimbolitos, delicate steamed corn cakes with a hint of sweetness. This experience is more than just a cooking class—it’s a chance to connect, learn, and enjoy the heartwarming flavors of Ecuadorian home cooking.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) For your market tour you will visit either the Santa Clara market or the Sangolqui market - both are local, neighborhood markets. Walk around the market with your host Maria and discover local, seasonal Ecuadorian fruits and vegetables. You will also taste a few fruits in the market or buy a few ingredients for your cooking experience. You will travel by taxi from the market to Maria's home.

Notes: Maria can accommodate dietary needs such as lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan. So please let her know in advance, while booking your Quito cooking class online.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Llapingacho (potato pancakes)
  • Ecuadorian ceviche
  • Empanadas
  • Quimbolitos (steamed corn cakes with a hint of sweetness)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (8)
What a great experience! We learned about various fruits, herbs and other things in her garden and how to use them to cook with. We made ceviche and empanadas. The food is so good when everything is prepared fresh! Maia is a great teacher and hostess! Thanks, Maria! We all enjoyed it! I highly recommend. It helps to know the local customs and culture!
- Sharie May 27, 2025
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvChef March 31, 2023
Do this cooking class! Maria was amazing and we had such a lovely time! Her kitchen and home were beautiful, and the food we made was delicious! She will send us the recipes as well.
- Rachel March 30, 2023
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvchef March 07, 2023
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvchef March 07, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this cooking class, meeting Maria and her family. We made a couple of simple dishes (was given the choice of what to make) and picked up and dropped off by her husband from my hotel in the city. Always nice to engage with locals and sharing food is a bonus.
- Cherie A January 31, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this cooking class, meeting Maria and her family. We made a couple of simple dishes (was given the choice of what to make) and picked up and dropped off by her husband from my hotel in the city. Always nice to engage with locals and sharing food is a bonus.
- Cherie A January 31, 2023
Do this cooking class! Maria was amazing and we had such a lovely time! Her kitchen and home were beautiful, and the food we made was delicious! She will send us the recipes as well.
- Rachel_M March 25, 2022
Read More

Maria

$64-$210 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $86 $70 $64
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $210 $204 $180
Alcohol
 $4 per person
Transportation
 $78 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $86 $70 $64
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $210 $204 $180
Alcohol
 $4 per person
Transportation
 $78 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Maria

Maria’s passion for food started young, when she was a cooking assistant in her mother's kitchen! Maria learned to cook traditional meals from her mother. And then used this skill and knowledge to run her own restaurant, where she served authentic Ecuadorian meals that she grew up eating. For the last 26 years, Maria has been working in the hospitality and gastronomy industry. She not only enjoys cooking but also thrives on meeting new people and sharing her culinary knowledge. Her passion for Ecuadorian cuisine inspired her to offer cooking classes in Quito, where she teaches family recipes and introduces visitors to the rich flavors of her culture.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Maria lives in Sangolquí, a peaceful suburb of Quito, with her husband and their three children. She has a deep passion for Ecuadorian cuisine and loves preparing authentic dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Ecuadorian food is simple yet flavorful, and if you enjoy a bit of heat, you can always add some homemade hot sauce! Join Maria for a hands-on cooking class in Quito, where you'll learn to prepare a traditional Ecuadorian meal using her cherished family recipes. In this immersive 1-hour experience, you'll make two dishes from scratch—an appetizer and a main course—right in Maria's home kitchen. As you cook, she'll share expert tips, tricks, and fascinating anecdotes about Ecuador's history and culinary traditions.

After your cooking class, sit down with Maria and her family (when they’re home) to enjoy the meal you helped create. Some of the delicious dishes you might share include llapingachos (potato pancakes), ceviche, and empanadas. To end on a sweet note, savor quimbolitos, delicate steamed corn cakes with a hint of sweetness. This experience is more than just a cooking class—it’s a chance to connect, learn, and enjoy the heartwarming flavors of Ecuadorian home cooking.

Market visit: (1-6 guests) For your market tour you will visit either the Santa Clara market or the Sangolqui market - both are local, neighborhood markets. Walk around the market with your host Maria and discover local, seasonal Ecuadorian fruits and vegetables. You will also taste a few fruits in the market or buy a few ingredients for your cooking experience. You will travel by taxi from the market to Maria's home.

Notes: Maria can accommodate dietary needs such as lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan. So please let her know in advance, while booking your Quito cooking class online.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Llapingacho (potato pancakes)
  • Ecuadorian ceviche
  • Empanadas
  • Quimbolitos (steamed corn cakes with a hint of sweetness)

Traveler reviews

5.0 (8)
What a great experience! We learned about various fruits, herbs and other things in her garden and how to use them to cook with. We made ceviche and empanadas. The food is so good when everything is prepared fresh! Maia is a great teacher and hostess! Thanks, Maria! We all enjoyed it! I highly recommend. It helps to know the local customs and culture!
- Sharie May 27, 2025
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvChef March 31, 2023
Do this cooking class! Maria was amazing and we had such a lovely time! Her kitchen and home were beautiful, and the food we made was delicious! She will send us the recipes as well.
- Rachel March 30, 2023
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvchef March 07, 2023
I was very excited about this class, and booked it several months in advance. What I failed to do was to double check the dates, and I booked it for the wrong month. When my group showed up at the meeting point, and didn't see Maria, we called her, and discovered my error. And yes, it was my error. Maria didn't hesitate for a second to teach us the class that night. I was shocked, because within 7 minutes, we were picked up and taken to her house. She could have easily said no, and I would not have blamed her. This set the stage for the wonderful evening ahead. We were dressed in our aprons, and given easy to do tasks while talking about the foods, culture and whatever we wanted to talk about. I have done cooking classes several times, and really enjoyed this evening. I learned some new things, ate wonderful food, spent time in the kitchen, but most of all, I enjoyed myself as a guest in Maria's home. She is a gracious, friendly and knowledgeable teacher, and I highly recommend a class if you are in Quito
- bvchef March 07, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this cooking class, meeting Maria and her family. We made a couple of simple dishes (was given the choice of what to make) and picked up and dropped off by her husband from my hotel in the city. Always nice to engage with locals and sharing food is a bonus.
- Cherie A January 31, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this cooking class, meeting Maria and her family. We made a couple of simple dishes (was given the choice of what to make) and picked up and dropped off by her husband from my hotel in the city. Always nice to engage with locals and sharing food is a bonus.
- Cherie A January 31, 2023
Do this cooking class! Maria was amazing and we had such a lovely time! Her kitchen and home were beautiful, and the food we made was delicious! She will send us the recipes as well.
- Rachel_M March 25, 2022
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $86 $70 $64
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $210 $204 $180
Alcohol
 $4 per person
Transportation
 $78 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $86 $70 $64
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $210 $204 $180
Alcohol
 $4 per person
Transportation
 $78 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-1:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.