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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Ismael

Mexico City, Mexico

USD
$30-$84 per person

Contemporary Mexican cooking inspired by family recipes

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

Meet Ismael

Ismael is a professionally-trained chef and wine expert who is excited to share his passion for Mexican cuisine with guests. He first learned to cook from his grandmother who taught him to prepare authentic home-style favorites. After attending culinary school he worked in some of Mexico's top restaurants before starting his own catering and private events business. His favorite style of cooking is deeply rooted in his grandmother's kitchen, with a modern twist. A true wine-lover, Ismael earned a master's degree in wine in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California's wine growing region. Don't forget to ask him about his love of artisanal Mexican cheeses, too!

Ismael lives with his father and younger sister who might join you for a meal if they are home during your visit. Ismael can cater to a wide variety of dietary restrictions and often creates unexpected vegetarian versions of traditional Mexican dishes. If you have any special dietary needs, just ask!

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: (1-7 guests) At Ismael's table you will enjoy a variety of dishes that showcase his grandmother's traditional family recipes brought into the 21st century. He experiments with different ingredients to update and elevate traditional Mexican dishes and street food, resulting in fresh, seasonal dishes bursting with flavor. You might taste a homemade guacamole or Veracruz-style ceviche, Mexican tortilla or lime soup, tacos gobernador from northern Mexico (a rich, cheesy shrimp or chicken taco) or fish al pastor with grilled pineapple or his twist on the famous famous tacos al pastor. Feel free to let Ismael know if you have any menu preferences when you make your booking.

For an additional charge Ismael offers Mexican wine and exotic cocktails, designed to complement your meal.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Ismael for a Mexico City cooking class and learn to prepare 2-3 Mexican dishes in your hands-on lesson in Ismael's kitchen. As you cook together he will tell you the stories behind the dishes you prepare, as well as how he came to learn and perfect his recipes. Additional dishes for your meal will be made in advance. You can expect to cook for about 1 hour before sitting down together to share the meal you helped to prepare.

Market visit: (1-4 guests) Meet Ismael for a visit to Mercado San Juan, Mexico City's oldest gourmet market. For many years this was the only market in the city to sell imported gourmet goods and is now known as a haven for high quality ingredients and artisanal products. Ismael will take you to his favorite dealers, showing you where he selects the best fish, meat and produce. At the market, Ismael will suggest some menu options for from which you can choose which dishes you would like to learn to cook. Options are homemade guacamole, his special sangrita and mole or a more complex dish. You might pick up a few ingredients for your meal before heading to his home, a 20 minute subway ride from this bustling marketplace.

Languages spoken: English

PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I had an absolutely fabulous time with Ismael - he is such a gem. Throughout our cooking class he told the history of the dishes we cooked, as well as how he learned the recipes. Ismael made lovely cocktails to accompany the food--he’s really a pro behind the bar! He also whipped up a coffee cocktail for dessert, which was the perfect end to a perfect meal. Ismael seems to know all there is to know about food and drink, and doesn’t hesitate to share! He is incredibly passionate about both cooking and hosting. It was truly a pleasure to share a meal with him.

Heather, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.92 (13)
Ismael is incredibly personable and knowledgeable. The three of us had a wonderful day visiting the market, learning about food and cooking in Ismael’s home. The dishes we helped prepare were delicious. We try to take a cooking class when we travel internationally. This experience did not disappoint.
- Heather March 18, 2022
We had a wonderful time exploring the market and cooking with Ismael - he was nice, knowledgeable, and fun! Definitely recommend!
- Sarah E November 17, 2021
Wonderful day with Ismael. Ismael's personality, knowledge and skill set make him an excellent choice for a cooking class in Mexico City. The market visit add-on is a must, as Ismael takes you to visit Mercado San Juan, visiting some of the vendors he got to know during his time as a cook as a nearby restaurant. The food we made - guacamole, lime soup and enchiladas (including the tortillas) - was delicious. We had such an enjoyable time talking that we ran over time. It was truly like having a meal with a friend. Highly recommend.
- misplacedmaritimer February 28, 2020
Went with Ismael to a local market, where we tried different fruits and vegetables, which was really awesome. Then after a short subway ride to his house we made a soup and enchiladas and just talked about all sorts of things. It was a great way to spend a day in CDMX and definitely would recommend.
- bsully36 September 16, 2019
We had a wonderful time with Ismael. Having the individual attention was a great way to learn some of the basics of mexican cuisine.
- X9627FEelizabethb July 05, 2019
My girlfriend and me did the food tour with Ismael. He was friendly, funny and provided the most interesting facts and insights into the local cuisine. Absolutely fantastic!
- simeonm636 June 07, 2019
Ismael was the perfect host! He was friendly and a fantastic cook. We made easy dishes, but somehow each turned out perfectly and it was not at all overwhelming. My friend and I enjoyed talking to Ismael and his brother. Hope to see the recipes soon!
- WZheng February 21, 2019
We had a memorable evening with Ismael! He's A. an awesome, easy-to-talk-to host who made us feel super comfortable B. a great chef who loves what he does (and it shows) and C. super knowledgeable about wine! We enjoyed participating in making the food, especially the tortillas :). The wine he served was fantastic and his stemware was to die for. The conversation was fun and fluid and we so enjoyed our time and learning how he cooks and more about life in Mexico City.
- Kariskaf February 08, 2019
Four of us (my, my wife, our 5 year old daughter and our friend) had a fantastic evening with Ismael and his brother, Daniel. The food was delicious, my daughter got to help lots with the prep and we learned some of the secrets to making authentic tacos al pastor. Overall a super fun night and great introduction to Mexico!
- DavidDiGregorio December 29, 2018
Ismael was super friendly and fun to spend a few hours with. I learned a lot from him during the market visit and cooking lesson. The food - from the guacamole to the sopa de lima to the ponche - was delicious. And the pipian was a revelation. Thanks so much, Ismael!
- PozoleLover December 06, 2018
What a stellar experience! Ismael started off with an incredible tour of the local market that only someone truly connected with all the vendors could provide and then took us back to his home in a wonderful quiet neighborhood close to the city center and we cooked an awesome traditional Mexican meal together. Everything we made was delicious, but also simple enough to make at home (we've already made some of the dishes back home). Ismael spoke great English and shared his love of Mexican food and culture with us. This experience was easily one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City.
- AlpinWeiss November 17, 2017
What a stellar experience! Ismael started off with an incredible tour of the local market that only someone truly connected with all the vendors could provide and then took us back to his home in a wonderful quiet neighborhood close to the city center and we cooked an awesome traditional Mexican meal together. Everything we made was delicious, but also simple enough to make at home (we've already made some of the dishes back home). Ismael spoke great English and shared his love of Mexican food and culture with us. This experience was easily one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City.
- Andrew S. November 13, 2017
Apologies that this survey is late, we visited Mexico earlier in the year but haven't gotten around to replying until now. But my wife and I had a great time as guests of Ismael and his lovely family. We elected to budget plenty of time for the experience, and meet Ismael for a market tour before proceeding to his home. This gave us a much more in-depth taste of where the locals get their ingredients, and even getting samples & tastes of the raw ingredients (some also that weren't necessarily a part of our menu for the day). The food & drink prepared at Ismael's home was delicious, and throughout the whole day we learned a tremendous amount about how these ingredients and recipes have come to integrate into the local & regional culture in Mexico. Gracias Ismael por su hospitalidad!
- Eating in Hayward September 19, 2017
Read More
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Ismael

$30-$84 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $42 $36 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $52 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $84 $70 Not offered
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $42 $36 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $52 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $84 $70 Not offered
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 2:00pm-4:00pm 8:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:30pm-3:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 10:30am-3:30pm 3:30pm-8:30pm

Meet Ismael

Ismael is a professionally-trained chef and wine expert who is excited to share his passion for Mexican cuisine with guests. He first learned to cook from his grandmother who taught him to prepare authentic home-style favorites. After attending culinary school he worked in some of Mexico's top restaurants before starting his own catering and private events business. His favorite style of cooking is deeply rooted in his grandmother's kitchen, with a modern twist. A true wine-lover, Ismael earned a master's degree in wine in Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California's wine growing region. Don't forget to ask him about his love of artisanal Mexican cheeses, too!

Ismael lives with his father and younger sister who might join you for a meal if they are home during your visit. Ismael can cater to a wide variety of dietary restrictions and often creates unexpected vegetarian versions of traditional Mexican dishes. If you have any special dietary needs, just ask!

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: (1-7 guests) At Ismael's table you will enjoy a variety of dishes that showcase his grandmother's traditional family recipes brought into the 21st century. He experiments with different ingredients to update and elevate traditional Mexican dishes and street food, resulting in fresh, seasonal dishes bursting with flavor. You might taste a homemade guacamole or Veracruz-style ceviche, Mexican tortilla or lime soup, tacos gobernador from northern Mexico (a rich, cheesy shrimp or chicken taco) or fish al pastor with grilled pineapple or his twist on the famous famous tacos al pastor. Feel free to let Ismael know if you have any menu preferences when you make your booking.

For an additional charge Ismael offers Mexican wine and exotic cocktails, designed to complement your meal.

Cooking experience: (1-4 guests) Join Ismael for a Mexico City cooking class and learn to prepare 2-3 Mexican dishes in your hands-on lesson in Ismael's kitchen. As you cook together he will tell you the stories behind the dishes you prepare, as well as how he came to learn and perfect his recipes. Additional dishes for your meal will be made in advance. You can expect to cook for about 1 hour before sitting down together to share the meal you helped to prepare.

Market visit: (1-4 guests) Meet Ismael for a visit to Mercado San Juan, Mexico City's oldest gourmet market. For many years this was the only market in the city to sell imported gourmet goods and is now known as a haven for high quality ingredients and artisanal products. Ismael will take you to his favorite dealers, showing you where he selects the best fish, meat and produce. At the market, Ismael will suggest some menu options for from which you can choose which dishes you would like to learn to cook. Options are homemade guacamole, his special sangrita and mole or a more complex dish. You might pick up a few ingredients for your meal before heading to his home, a 20 minute subway ride from this bustling marketplace.

Languages spoken: English

PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

I had an absolutely fabulous time with Ismael - he is such a gem. Throughout our cooking class he told the history of the dishes we cooked, as well as how he learned the recipes. Ismael made lovely cocktails to accompany the food--he’s really a pro behind the bar! He also whipped up a coffee cocktail for dessert, which was the perfect end to a perfect meal. Ismael seems to know all there is to know about food and drink, and doesn’t hesitate to share! He is incredibly passionate about both cooking and hosting. It was truly a pleasure to share a meal with him.

Heather, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

4.92 (13)
Ismael is incredibly personable and knowledgeable. The three of us had a wonderful day visiting the market, learning about food and cooking in Ismael’s home. The dishes we helped prepare were delicious. We try to take a cooking class when we travel internationally. This experience did not disappoint.
- Heather March 18, 2022
We had a wonderful time exploring the market and cooking with Ismael - he was nice, knowledgeable, and fun! Definitely recommend!
- Sarah E November 17, 2021
Wonderful day with Ismael. Ismael's personality, knowledge and skill set make him an excellent choice for a cooking class in Mexico City. The market visit add-on is a must, as Ismael takes you to visit Mercado San Juan, visiting some of the vendors he got to know during his time as a cook as a nearby restaurant. The food we made - guacamole, lime soup and enchiladas (including the tortillas) - was delicious. We had such an enjoyable time talking that we ran over time. It was truly like having a meal with a friend. Highly recommend.
- misplacedmaritimer February 28, 2020
Went with Ismael to a local market, where we tried different fruits and vegetables, which was really awesome. Then after a short subway ride to his house we made a soup and enchiladas and just talked about all sorts of things. It was a great way to spend a day in CDMX and definitely would recommend.
- bsully36 September 16, 2019
We had a wonderful time with Ismael. Having the individual attention was a great way to learn some of the basics of mexican cuisine.
- X9627FEelizabethb July 05, 2019
My girlfriend and me did the food tour with Ismael. He was friendly, funny and provided the most interesting facts and insights into the local cuisine. Absolutely fantastic!
- simeonm636 June 07, 2019
Ismael was the perfect host! He was friendly and a fantastic cook. We made easy dishes, but somehow each turned out perfectly and it was not at all overwhelming. My friend and I enjoyed talking to Ismael and his brother. Hope to see the recipes soon!
- WZheng February 21, 2019
We had a memorable evening with Ismael! He's A. an awesome, easy-to-talk-to host who made us feel super comfortable B. a great chef who loves what he does (and it shows) and C. super knowledgeable about wine! We enjoyed participating in making the food, especially the tortillas :). The wine he served was fantastic and his stemware was to die for. The conversation was fun and fluid and we so enjoyed our time and learning how he cooks and more about life in Mexico City.
- Kariskaf February 08, 2019
Four of us (my, my wife, our 5 year old daughter and our friend) had a fantastic evening with Ismael and his brother, Daniel. The food was delicious, my daughter got to help lots with the prep and we learned some of the secrets to making authentic tacos al pastor. Overall a super fun night and great introduction to Mexico!
- DavidDiGregorio December 29, 2018
Ismael was super friendly and fun to spend a few hours with. I learned a lot from him during the market visit and cooking lesson. The food - from the guacamole to the sopa de lima to the ponche - was delicious. And the pipian was a revelation. Thanks so much, Ismael!
- PozoleLover December 06, 2018
What a stellar experience! Ismael started off with an incredible tour of the local market that only someone truly connected with all the vendors could provide and then took us back to his home in a wonderful quiet neighborhood close to the city center and we cooked an awesome traditional Mexican meal together. Everything we made was delicious, but also simple enough to make at home (we've already made some of the dishes back home). Ismael spoke great English and shared his love of Mexican food and culture with us. This experience was easily one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City.
- AlpinWeiss November 17, 2017
What a stellar experience! Ismael started off with an incredible tour of the local market that only someone truly connected with all the vendors could provide and then took us back to his home in a wonderful quiet neighborhood close to the city center and we cooked an awesome traditional Mexican meal together. Everything we made was delicious, but also simple enough to make at home (we've already made some of the dishes back home). Ismael spoke great English and shared his love of Mexican food and culture with us. This experience was easily one of the highlights of our time in Mexico City.
- Andrew S. November 13, 2017
Apologies that this survey is late, we visited Mexico earlier in the year but haven't gotten around to replying until now. But my wife and I had a great time as guests of Ismael and his lovely family. We elected to budget plenty of time for the experience, and meet Ismael for a market tour before proceeding to his home. This gave us a much more in-depth taste of where the locals get their ingredients, and even getting samples & tastes of the raw ingredients (some also that weren't necessarily a part of our menu for the day). The food & drink prepared at Ismael's home was delicious, and throughout the whole day we learned a tremendous amount about how these ingredients and recipes have come to integrate into the local & regional culture in Mexico. Gracias Ismael por su hospitalidad!
- Eating in Hayward September 19, 2017
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $42 $36 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $52 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $84 $70 Not offered
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $42 $36 $30
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $64 $52 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $84 $70 Not offered
Alcohol
 $14 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 2:00pm-4:00pm 8:00pm-10:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:30pm-3:30pm 6:30pm-9:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 10:30am-3:30pm 3:30pm-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.

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