Meet
Sofia (Masterclass)
Born in Mérida, Sofia delights in preparing local Yucatecan and Mayan dishes that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Yucatán Peninsula. An accomplished home cook, she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, carrying forward a family tradition of flavorful, authentic cuisine.
For the past 20 years, Sofia has welcomed travelers to her home through her Mérida home-stay, and you may meet some of her past guests during your visit. She loves hosting and takes great joy in sharing her Yucatecan culture through food and conversation, creating a warm and memorable experience for every visitor.
As Sofia says: “I've been receiving guests at home for more than 20 years, and each one of them takes a bit of my heart with them, but they also leave a bit of theirs!”
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.
In-home meal:
(1-10 guests)
Yucatecan cuisine reflects a rich blend of influences, from the indigenous Mayan people to Spanish colonizers, as well as Dutch and Lebanese immigrants. In Sofia’s simple home, you’ll enjoy traditional Yucatecan dishes prepared with care and authentic ingredients. Your meal may include sikil pak con tostadas (a dip made from ground pumpkin seeds served with tortilla chips), sopa de lima (chicken soup flavored with lime), Yucatecan tamales wrapped in banana leaves, empanadas de chaya con queso de bola (pastries filled with the local green chaya and Edam cheese), and pollo or cochinita pibil, the region’s famous slow-cooked chicken or pork marinated in achiote and sour orange, wrapped in banana leaves.
To finish, savor dulce de papaya con queso de bola, papaya stewed in sugar and served with Edam cheese. Sofia’s meals are more than just food; they are a window into Yucatecan culture and family traditions. Please note that families in Mexico are often social, so you may be joined by members of Sofia’s family who stop by during your meal, adding an authentic local touch to your experience.
Cooking experience:
(1-17 guests)
Step into Sofia’s home kitchen for a hands-on Mérida masterclass in traditional Yucatecan and Mayan cuisine. Sofia guides you through authentic recipes, including a fiery habanero salsa, giving you a true taste of Yucatán cuisine. The 4-hour cooking lesson is interactive and engaging—be ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty! After the class, enjoy the meal you helped create, savoring the flavors of the region in a warm, family-style setting. Sofia is happy to accommodate vegetarian diets upon request. Please note that her home is modest with no air-conditioning, so it may be warm during the summer months. Your cooking class and meal lasts about 5 hours.
Market visit:
(1-10 guests)
Explore local Merida markets and bring the flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula to life in a hands-on cooking class with Sofia. Begin by meeting your host at her home before heading to Chuburná Market for a guided tour of the vendors’ stalls. Discover fresh, regional produce and ingredients used in traditional Yucatecan cuisine, and pick up a few items to use in your class. After the market tour, return to Sofia’s home to prepare an authentic Yucatecan meal under her guidance, learning traditional recipes and techniques before enjoying the dishes you helped create.
Notes:
1. Homestay Environment:
Sofia’s home is also a homestay, so while your Traveling Spoon experience is private, there may be other guests present. Please note that her home does not have air-conditioning, so it may be warm during the summer months.
2. Dietary Accommodations:
Sofia is happy to accommodate vegetarian diets upon request. Please let her know when you book so she can prepare accordingly.
3. Optional Alcohol Add-On:
If you choose the optional alcohol add-on (additional cost), Sofia will serve two glasses of local Yucatán beer to enjoy with your meal.
4. Transportation:
Your experience begins at Sofia’s home or at a designated meeting point. If needed, Sofia can provide guidance on local transportation to her home. If you choose the optional transport add-on, you will be picked up by a private driver arranged by your host at the concierge desk of your hotel or from the cruise port, and dropped off at the end of your culinary experience.
5. Duration:
Sofia’s cooking class is a comprehensive Yucatecan culinary experience and typically lasts about 5 hours. If you prefer a shorter 3–4 hour class, please book a separate experience titled "Traditional Yucatecan Cooking Class in Mérida", and Sofia will happily tailor a menu that fits your schedule.
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Sofia did an incredible job of introducing me to both Mayan and Yucatecan cuisine. Every dish we made was steeped in tradition and history. I loved making my own tortilla chips and dips, as well as trying lesser-known dishes like spiced fish steamed in banana leaves. Everything we made was mouth watering, and Sofia offered cooking tricks and tips every step of the way. She truly loves Yucatecan culture, and is always happy to talk about its history, its traditions and, best of all, its food!
Heather, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
Sophia was great! She welcomed us into her home and gave us a great overview of her family's history. She then took us to the market and to the Tortilleria to watch them make tortillas using a machine. We then went to her house and cooked all of the recipes listed in the description and then some. She was fantastic and it was great to spend the day with her. She provided us all with the recipes and images of the food we made so we can make them again at home.
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katie
April 25, 2026
Thank you, Sofia, for such a wonderful day! We chose relleno negro as the main dish. She showed us a few different ways of serving the dish, including in tacos and making our own salbutes. We opted for the market tour and learned about traditional ingredients used for the dishes we made. It was very fun learning to cook everything in her home kitchen. And we were absolutely stuffed from the feast she helped prepare. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a fun, authentic experience.
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carrie
March 22, 2026
Our cooking class with Doña Sofia was a truly remarkable experience during our stay in Merida.
It was just my wife and I, and we were treated to not only a thorough lesson on the history, ingredients, and cooking method of multiple Yucatecan specialties (sikil pak, pollo pibil, codzitos, guacamole, calabaza frita, +), but also Doña Sofia's rich storytelling and life experiences along the way.
We started at 11am, and the lesson, stories, and finally dinner went through all the way to 7pm. So - it was an all-day thing, and we are very thankful for Sofia spending the time with us. We were also able to try some of the local artisanal beer and a Mayan liqueur called Xtabentun.
Our experience ended not only with excellent recipes that we will surely try again at home, but also memories that we will remember as a highlight of our three-week Merida trip.
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tyler
February 26, 2026
I spent all day cooking with Sofia and it was one of the best experiences of my two weeks in Mérida.
We made seven or eight dishes — I honestly lost count — and every single one was delicious. Sofia is a fantastic cook and a clear, patient teacher. She explains techniques in a way that actually makes sense, and I learned so much about authentic Yucatecan food.
She also shares the history behind the dishes, along with parts of her own story that influenced her cooking. It gave the class much more depth than just following recipes.
She speaks both English and Spanish. I was in Mexico to improve my Spanish, so we spoke mostly Spanish during the class, so it pretty much turned into a full immersion experience. In fact, this was the most impactful immersion experience I had during my entire trip. But if you need her to speak English, that’s great too.
At the end of the day, we sat down to a beautifully set table and ate everything we had prepared. It was such a satisfying way to finish — and the food was excellent.
I recommend this excursion without hesitation. Thanks, Sofia!
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sheris
February 24, 2026
We really enjoyed our class experience with Sofia. She is knowledgeable and interesting, the
food was delicious, and it was great to do a class in a home kitchen setting.
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tom
February 22, 2026
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