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Host: Lina

Viña del Mar, Chile

USD
$70-$147 per person

Classic Chilean dishes with Mapuche fusion in Viña del Mar

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

Meet Lina

Lina is half Norwegian + half Chilean, and her daughter is of Mapuche descendent, while her son is part Italian. and she likes to think that her family and home represent a blend of these cultures. She loves traveling and is passionate about living as sustainably as possible, while cooking healthy, local and fair trade food. Lina was raised in a family where food was always the main part of the holidays and family events and hopes to create this kind of family life for her kids as well. Lina has celiac disease, so she has learned to adapt her grandmother’s traditional recipes to her dietary needs. Enjoy this family friendly experience with Lina and her young children Silvio and Aurora.

Lina has a degree in ecotourism, so be sure to ask for advice as you plan your trip to Chile!

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: (1-5 guests) Join Lina and her kids for a meal at their table. She prepares typical Chilean dishes that include influences from the Norwegian cuisine as well as traditional Mapuche culture. Lina likes to use merkén, a dried, smoked chili used in Mapuche cuisine, as well as quinoa in her preparations. You will get to sample seasonal, traditional Chilean dishes such as pastel de choclo (a Chilean summertime version of shepherd’s pie) or pebre (Chilean tomato, chili and herb salsa), charquican (seasonal vegetable stew) or carbonada (beef and vegetable stew), carne mechada (stewed shredded beef) with puré picante (mashed potatoes seasoned with merkén) or porotos granados (bean stew with pumpkin and corn), or empanadas de pino (empanadas stuffed with local pine nuts, ground beef and spices).

Lina can cater to any dietary restriction and serves mostly gluten-free and dairy-free dishes so that they are safe for her to eat. She can also offer vegetarian or vegan version of the dishes. Feel free to ask Lina if you have any dietary restrictions.

Cooking experience: (1-2 guests) Learn to cook a two-to-three course Chilean meal in Lina's small kitchen. She will show you how to make classic Chilean recipes, perhaps one of the dishes she learned from her grandmother. You might learn to cook dishes like charquican, a common seasonal vegetable stew; or pebre, a fresh salsa made with tomatoes, herbs and spices. Your cooking lesson will last one to two hours before you sit down together to enjoy your meal.

Market visit: (1-2 guests) Meet Lina at the market and learn all about Chilean ingredients. Markets in Chile are lively and can be chaotic, but with Lina’s help you will navigate the busy stalls browsing for the freshest seasonal vegetables. Lina and her family shop at the market weekly for the bulk of their food as they are invested in cooking local, nutrient rich ingredients. Depending on the day of your visit Lina will take you to the best available market. You might visit the Feria Estero Marga Marga in Viña del Mar, the Mercado in Valparaíso, or Caleta Portales, the largest fish market in Valparaíso. Once your shopping is complete you will take public transit to her apartment to start cooking.

Notes: This is a family friendly experience! Lina's young children will most likely be present during your visit.

Languages spoken: English, Norwegian, 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.
  • Pastel de choclo
  • Charquican
  • Pebre
  • Empanadas de pino
  • Porotos granados
  • Humitas
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We were more than excited to start eating once our charquican and pebre were complete. The charquican felt very authentic and home-style, with a tradition and style that reminded me of my Asian family's favorite fried rice dish. It of course was not very similar in taste, but it's story shared many aspects of tradition, utility, flexibility, and family preferences/secrets. I felt very special to me.
The heart and energy Lina and Leo spoke of came through in the art, the smells, and the tastes of food they prepared. Every part of the preparation told a story and we were more than happy to be a part of the experience. Both hosts are well traveled, well educated, speak impeccable English, and went above and beyond to make their home and their food more than just a plate, but a full experience.

Kelsey and Tims, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
A wonderful introduction to the local culture in a warm inviting setting... Amazing hosts!
- Marci January 02, 2018
4a3b1f85 2bf0 4bf5 813c 93778fb44c51

Lina

$70-$147 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • 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
 $100 $85 $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $108 $90 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $147 $131 Not offered
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $100 $85 $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $108 $90 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $147 $131 Not offered
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:30pm-3:30pm 7:30pm-9:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:00pm-4:00pm 6:00pm-10:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-10:00pm

Meet Lina

Lina is half Norwegian + half Chilean, and her daughter is of Mapuche descendent, while her son is part Italian. and she likes to think that her family and home represent a blend of these cultures. She loves traveling and is passionate about living as sustainably as possible, while cooking healthy, local and fair trade food. Lina was raised in a family where food was always the main part of the holidays and family events and hopes to create this kind of family life for her kids as well. Lina has celiac disease, so she has learned to adapt her grandmother’s traditional recipes to her dietary needs. Enjoy this family friendly experience with Lina and her young children Silvio and Aurora.

Lina has a degree in ecotourism, so be sure to ask for advice as you plan your trip to Chile!

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: (1-5 guests) Join Lina and her kids for a meal at their table. She prepares typical Chilean dishes that include influences from the Norwegian cuisine as well as traditional Mapuche culture. Lina likes to use merkén, a dried, smoked chili used in Mapuche cuisine, as well as quinoa in her preparations. You will get to sample seasonal, traditional Chilean dishes such as pastel de choclo (a Chilean summertime version of shepherd’s pie) or pebre (Chilean tomato, chili and herb salsa), charquican (seasonal vegetable stew) or carbonada (beef and vegetable stew), carne mechada (stewed shredded beef) with puré picante (mashed potatoes seasoned with merkén) or porotos granados (bean stew with pumpkin and corn), or empanadas de pino (empanadas stuffed with local pine nuts, ground beef and spices).

Lina can cater to any dietary restriction and serves mostly gluten-free and dairy-free dishes so that they are safe for her to eat. She can also offer vegetarian or vegan version of the dishes. Feel free to ask Lina if you have any dietary restrictions.

Cooking experience: (1-2 guests) Learn to cook a two-to-three course Chilean meal in Lina's small kitchen. She will show you how to make classic Chilean recipes, perhaps one of the dishes she learned from her grandmother. You might learn to cook dishes like charquican, a common seasonal vegetable stew; or pebre, a fresh salsa made with tomatoes, herbs and spices. Your cooking lesson will last one to two hours before you sit down together to enjoy your meal.

Market visit: (1-2 guests) Meet Lina at the market and learn all about Chilean ingredients. Markets in Chile are lively and can be chaotic, but with Lina’s help you will navigate the busy stalls browsing for the freshest seasonal vegetables. Lina and her family shop at the market weekly for the bulk of their food as they are invested in cooking local, nutrient rich ingredients. Depending on the day of your visit Lina will take you to the best available market. You might visit the Feria Estero Marga Marga in Viña del Mar, the Mercado in Valparaíso, or Caleta Portales, the largest fish market in Valparaíso. Once your shopping is complete you will take public transit to her apartment to start cooking.

Notes: This is a family friendly experience! Lina's young children will most likely be present during your visit.

Languages spoken: English, Norwegian, 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.
  • Pastel de choclo
  • Charquican
  • Pebre
  • Empanadas de pino
  • Porotos granados
  • Humitas
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

We were more than excited to start eating once our charquican and pebre were complete. The charquican felt very authentic and home-style, with a tradition and style that reminded me of my Asian family's favorite fried rice dish. It of course was not very similar in taste, but it's story shared many aspects of tradition, utility, flexibility, and family preferences/secrets. I felt very special to me.
The heart and energy Lina and Leo spoke of came through in the art, the smells, and the tastes of food they prepared. Every part of the preparation told a story and we were more than happy to be a part of the experience. Both hosts are well traveled, well educated, speak impeccable English, and went above and beyond to make their home and their food more than just a plate, but a full experience.

Kelsey and Tims, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (1)
A wonderful introduction to the local culture in a warm inviting setting... Amazing hosts!
- Marci January 02, 2018
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $100 $85 $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $108 $90 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $147 $131 Not offered
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $100 $85 $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $108 $90 Not offered
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 $147 $131 Not offered
Alcohol
 $11 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 1:30pm-3:30pm 7:30pm-9:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 12:00pm-4:00pm 6:00pm-10:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 9:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-10:00pm
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 3% 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.