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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Isabel

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

USD
$79-$89 per person

Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class in San Miguel de Allende

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

Meet Isabel

A warm, dynamic and delightful Mexican grandmother (and former pediatrician), Isabel loves to garden and cook, and welcomes guests into the beautiful home and garden she designed herself, just 30 minutes northwest of San Miguel de Allende. Isabel and her sister Michele learned to cook from their mother, with fond memories of preparing meals on pre-Hispanic clay grills and molcajetes. While Isabel now greets guests and hosts them in her home, your hands-on cooking class will be led by her sister Michele or her daughter Maria Jose, who share the same family recipes and traditions. Together, they are passionate about teaching pre-Hispanic cooking, including the ancient milpa (three sisters) method of farming. Above all, Isabel loves bringing people together and sharing meals that celebrate family, culture and tradition.

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: (2-7 guests) Experience an authentic San Miguel de Allende cooking class in a beautifully designed home, where you’ll learn to cook a seasonal, traditional Mexican meal with a warm and welcoming local host. Begin with a fresh margarita (if you choose the optional alcohol add-on) and a jicama and orange snack, then explore the garden to discover the “three sisters” method of growing corn, beans and squash. Step into an open kitchen for a hands-on Mexican cooking class and learn to prepare 3–4 pre-Hispanic dishes from family recipes passed down through generations. Depending on the season, you may cook nopales, ceviche, black bean soup or pollo santo with corn, mushrooms and squash blossoms, and even make salsa in a traditional molcajete. End your San Miguel de Allende culinary experience by sharing the meal you prepared, followed by a classic dessert of ate con queso. This immersive Mexican cooking class offers a deeper understanding of local culture, ingredients and traditions, perfect for travelers seeking an authentic food experience in San Miguel de Allende. This is a quintessential "travel off the eaten path" experience.

Notes:
If you select the alcohol add-on, enjoy margaritas with Isabel. Otherwise, refreshing non-alcoholic options like agua de jamaica or horchata will be served.
If you select the transport add-on, you will be picked up from your location in San Miguel de Allende approximately 30 minutes before your experience and dropped off afterward.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French and some Italian

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.
  • Nopales salad (cactus, tomatoes, onion and cilantro in an oregano and vinegar dressing)
  • Sopa de frijoles negros (black bean soup topped with crispy tortilla strips)
  • Pollo santo (chicken or rabbit in a green tomato, hoja santo and cilantro sauce)
  • Side of corn, mushrooms and squash blossoms
  • Ate con queso

Traveler reviews

5.0 (30)
Isabella was wonderful! She picked us up at our Air BnB, drove us to her home which is about 30 minutes outside of SMA. It was lovely to see some of the countryside. We made a wonderful meal together - appetizer, soup, two salsas, main entree + margarita's! - and we learned about the origins of Mexican staples -- beans, corn, squash and tomatoes. Most interesting was learning how to prepare nopales which me made into a lovely soup! Isabella was organized and so easy to work with. Her kitchen felt like home!
- ambie July 27, 2026
Isabell is such a warm and attentive teacher. So open to all the questions and curiosity around food culture. It was a pleasure cooking with her.
- norah July 26, 2026
A WONDERFUL experience. Isabel picked us up from our rental right on time and was an expert driver to her beautiful home a few miles outside town. She led us through the cooking class, starting with ingredients and the history behind them. We then proceeded to cook a beautiful and delicious meal together which we all shared around her dining table after a margarita lesson on her patio. A 5 star experience!! Definitely book this amazing class!
- jakkie May 19, 2026
Isabel and her sister shared a fun afternoon with us in her home outside San Miguel. After picking us up at out lodging in town we learning about heritage foods of Mexico and how to prepare them. After the cooking and prep we had a great lunch!
- chris May 11, 2026
Isabel, Rick and Michelle were all so great. The food was delicious and she was so great and showing us techniques as well as talking us through the recipes. It was such a fun time cooking and eating with them. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.
- rachel May 01, 2026
Read More

Isabel

$79-$89 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
 Not offered $89 $79
Alcohol
 $10 per person
Transportation
 $26 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $79
Alcohol
 $10 per person
Transportation
 $26 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:30pm-8:30pm

Meet Isabel

A warm, dynamic and delightful Mexican grandmother (and former pediatrician), Isabel loves to garden and cook, and welcomes guests into the beautiful home and garden she designed herself, just 30 minutes northwest of San Miguel de Allende. Isabel and her sister Michele learned to cook from their mother, with fond memories of preparing meals on pre-Hispanic clay grills and molcajetes. While Isabel now greets guests and hosts them in her home, your hands-on cooking class will be led by her sister Michele or her daughter Maria Jose, who share the same family recipes and traditions. Together, they are passionate about teaching pre-Hispanic cooking, including the ancient milpa (three sisters) method of farming. Above all, Isabel loves bringing people together and sharing meals that celebrate family, culture and tradition.

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: (2-7 guests) Experience an authentic San Miguel de Allende cooking class in a beautifully designed home, where you’ll learn to cook a seasonal, traditional Mexican meal with a warm and welcoming local host. Begin with a fresh margarita (if you choose the optional alcohol add-on) and a jicama and orange snack, then explore the garden to discover the “three sisters” method of growing corn, beans and squash. Step into an open kitchen for a hands-on Mexican cooking class and learn to prepare 3–4 pre-Hispanic dishes from family recipes passed down through generations. Depending on the season, you may cook nopales, ceviche, black bean soup or pollo santo with corn, mushrooms and squash blossoms, and even make salsa in a traditional molcajete. End your San Miguel de Allende culinary experience by sharing the meal you prepared, followed by a classic dessert of ate con queso. This immersive Mexican cooking class offers a deeper understanding of local culture, ingredients and traditions, perfect for travelers seeking an authentic food experience in San Miguel de Allende. This is a quintessential "travel off the eaten path" experience.

Notes:
If you select the alcohol add-on, enjoy margaritas with Isabel. Otherwise, refreshing non-alcoholic options like agua de jamaica or horchata will be served.
If you select the transport add-on, you will be picked up from your location in San Miguel de Allende approximately 30 minutes before your experience and dropped off afterward.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish, French and some Italian

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.
  • Nopales salad (cactus, tomatoes, onion and cilantro in an oregano and vinegar dressing)
  • Sopa de frijoles negros (black bean soup topped with crispy tortilla strips)
  • Pollo santo (chicken or rabbit in a green tomato, hoja santo and cilantro sauce)
  • Side of corn, mushrooms and squash blossoms
  • Ate con queso

Traveler reviews

5.0 (30)
Isabella was wonderful! She picked us up at our Air BnB, drove us to her home which is about 30 minutes outside of SMA. It was lovely to see some of the countryside. We made a wonderful meal together - appetizer, soup, two salsas, main entree + margarita's! - and we learned about the origins of Mexican staples -- beans, corn, squash and tomatoes. Most interesting was learning how to prepare nopales which me made into a lovely soup! Isabella was organized and so easy to work with. Her kitchen felt like home!
- ambie July 27, 2026
Isabell is such a warm and attentive teacher. So open to all the questions and curiosity around food culture. It was a pleasure cooking with her.
- norah July 26, 2026
A WONDERFUL experience. Isabel picked us up from our rental right on time and was an expert driver to her beautiful home a few miles outside town. She led us through the cooking class, starting with ingredients and the history behind them. We then proceeded to cook a beautiful and delicious meal together which we all shared around her dining table after a margarita lesson on her patio. A 5 star experience!! Definitely book this amazing class!
- jakkie May 19, 2026
Isabel and her sister shared a fun afternoon with us in her home outside San Miguel. After picking us up at out lodging in town we learning about heritage foods of Mexico and how to prepare them. After the cooking and prep we had a great lunch!
- chris May 11, 2026
Isabel, Rick and Michelle were all so great. The food was delicious and she was so great and showing us techniques as well as talking us through the recipes. It was such a fun time cooking and eating with them. Thank you for welcoming us into your home.
- rachel May 01, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $79
Alcohol
 $10 per person
Transportation
 $26 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $89 $79
Alcohol
 $10 per person
Transportation
 $26 per car
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:30pm-8:30pm
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.