Guatemalan Cooking Class in Antigua Guatemala

The fusion of Mayan culture and culinary delights awaits you in this cooking class in Antigua Guatemala. Our adventure begins with a visit to the Central Market, followed by the preparation of the beloved traditional dish, pepián.

Activity Details

What dish holds the title of Guatemala’s most iconic? It is none other than pepián, a hearty stew rooted in Mayan tradition that has earned recognition as a Cultural Heritage dish.

To embark on this flavorful journey, we will pick you up from your hotel in Antigua Guatemala and travel to the Central Market, a vibrant hub full of energy and authenticity. Upon arrival, we will meander through its lively aisles, surrounded by stalls bursting with color, enticing aromas, and the animated chatter of vendors.

In the market, we will select fresh ingredients vital for crafting our recipe, including dried chilies, tomatoes, miltomate, pepitoria (pumpkin seeds), and an array of traditional spices. It's fascinating to know that many of these ingredients have been staples of the Mayan diet for centuries!

Following our 45-minute exploration of the market, we’ll proceed to a well-equipped local kitchen. Here, we will don our aprons and delve into the process of preparing pepián.

We will initiate the cooking by roasting the essential ingredients, a crucial step to deepen the flavors and attain the rich, signature thickness of the stew. Then, we will grind these components using a mortar to create a layered, aromatic sauce, which will be combined with meat and vegetables.

At last, the moment to savor our culinary creation has arrived. We will enjoy the pepián we have prepared, paired with a traditional beverage. Prepare your palate for an explosion of flavor!

After this delightful culinary experience, we will escort you back to your hotel, concluding our adventure after a total of 5 enjoyable hours.