Private Mayan Cooking Class in Antigua Guatemala with Claudia

Meet Claudia

Claudia is a Guatemalan chef and passionate keeper of traditional Mayan Kaqchikel culinary traditions near Antigua, Guatemala. She learned to cook from her grandmother, who passed down generations of family recipes, ancestral cooking techniques and the flavors that are at the heart of Kaqchikel cuisine. Inspired by her grandmother, Claudia went on to study professionally as a chef and has been cooking for more than a decade. Her cooking brings together the best of both worlds: authentic, time-honored Guatemalan recipes and ingredients paired with the professional techniques she developed through her culinary training. For Claudia, food is a powerful way to preserve her Mayan heritage and share Guatemalan culture with others. She especially loves seeing the joy on people's faces as they discover new flavors, learn the stories behind traditional dishes and experience the warmth of Guatemalan hospitality. Claudia is excited to welcome travelers into her kitchen and introduce them to the rich culinary traditions of Guatemala through a personal, hands-on cooking experience.

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: (2-12 guests) Discover the flavors, traditions and Mayan culture of Guatemala during a private, hands-on cooking class near Antigua, Guatemala. Your experience begins with a private car or van transfer from Antigua to Claudia's home, where she will welcome you for an intimate introduction to Guatemalan food and culture. Begin with a live demonstration of traditional Guatemalan textile art and discover the intricate process of weaving on a backstrap loom, an ancestral Maya technique passed down through generations. Then join Claudia in her home kitchen for a three-hour hands-on Guatemalan cooking class inspired by her Maya Kaqchikel heritage and treasured family recipes passed down by her grandmother. Discover the importance of corn at the heart of Guatemalan cuisine and Maya culture. Grind corn using a traditional volcanic-stone grinding tool, then learn to shape tortillas by hand ("palmear") and cook them over the fire on a traditional clay comal. For your cooking class, choose from four traditional Guatemalan menus, each featuring an appetizer, main course and dessert. Depending on your selection, you might prepare dishes such as Pepián de Pollo, Guatemala's iconic chicken stew with a rich, aromatic sauce; Jocón de Pollo with its vibrant green tomatillo and cilantro sauce; or other regional specialties that reflect Claudia's culinary heritage. Please select one menu for your group when booking. If no menu is selected, Menu 1, Traditional Pepián, will be prepared. After cooking, sit down with Claudia in the cozy atmosphere of her home to enjoy the ancestral Guatemalan feast you helped prepare, accompanied by a refreshing natural drink such as homemade lemonade or hibiscus tea. As you eat together, discover the stories, traditions and family history behind the dishes and their connection to Guatemala's culinary heritage. Claudia speaks Spanish, and an English-speaking translator will join your experience so you can fully participate, ask questions and learn about the recipes and traditions she shares. You'll also receive a digital recipe book so you can recreate the flavors of Guatemala at home. Round-trip private car transfers from Antigua are included (approximately 30 minutes each way), making this an easy and immersive way to experience authentic Guatemalan food, Maya culinary traditions and local culture during your stay in Antigua.

Market visit: (2-12 guests) Begin your market tour with private transportation from Antigua Guatemala to a traditional local market. Wander through colorful stalls filled with fresh native produce, aromatic herbs, chilies and other ingredients essential to Guatemalan cuisine. Discover a variety of local fruits and vegetables as Claudia explains their flavors, culinary uses and importance in traditional cooking. Learn how to select ingredients for ancestral Guatemalan recipes and hear how generations of home cooks, including Claudia's grandmother, chose the best ingredients for traditional recados, Guatemala's richly flavored sauces and stews. Along the way, purchase seasonal fruits to taste and sample traditional Guatemalan sweets for a delicious introduction to the country's food culture. After your market visit, drive to Claudia's home for a hands-on Guatemalan cooking class, where you'll use traditional techniques and discover the recipes and culinary traditions of her Maya Kaqchikel heritage.

Notes: Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and lactose-free diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Depending on your group size, private transfers will be provided in a comfortable sedan or a larger van/minibus to ensure a comfortable journey for all guests.

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Sample menu

• Choose one menu per group. If no menu is selected, Menu 1: Traditional Pepián will be served.
• 1. Traditional Pepián (Default): Guacamole tostadas; Pepián de Pollo, Guatemalan chicken stew with a rich, aromatic sauce made from toasted seeds and spices; and Rellenitos de Plátano, sweet plantain filled with chocolate.
• 2. Mystical Quichón: Sopa de Soldadito, traditional Guatemalan soup; Quichón, a traditional Sacatepéquez stew; and sweet potato slowly roasted over live embers.
• 3. Vibrant Jocón: Crispy dobladas, fried corn tortillas filled with a savory filling; Jocón de Pollo, Guatemalan chicken in a vibrant green tomatillo and cilantro sauce; and Plátanos en Mole, sweet plantains served with a rich chocolate-spice sauce.
• 4. Ceremonial Suban'ik: Tamalitos de Chipilín, small corn tamales flavored with chipilín leaves; Suban'ik, a traditional Guatemalan meat stew slow-steamed in Maxán leaves; and Torrejas, traditional sweet bread soaked in a spiced syrup.