4h Cooking Class in Cuenca with 9 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

4 hours

Mobile ticket

Immerse yourself in the culinary culture of Ecuador during a small-group cooking class inside a real Cuenca home. Learn about the flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques from the southern Andes as your local chef guides you through preparing a traditional multi-course meal. Get your hands dirty while you cook, listen to stories of Andean heritage, and sip on a traditional canelazo. Enjoy a true taste of Ecuador the restaurant scene.

- Learn more about Andean cuisine than you would just eating out

- Small group size allows for personalized guidance

- Ideal for travelers who value authenticity and hands-on experiences

- Enjoy unlimited drinks while you cook

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Kids can enjoy tropical fruit juices and local soda.

Don't drink alcohol? We can make virgin versions of the drinks in our menu.

We can accommodate to your food allergies or intolerances... just tell us in advance.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Small group for a personalized experience

Recipe booklet in digital format to recreate dishes at home

5-Star Experience Guarantee - or your money back

All ingredients, utensils, and apron provided — nothing to bring

Full meal (appetizer, main dish, dessert) + unlimited drinks

Hands-on cooking experience guided by a bilingual local chef

grautuities

pick or drop off not included

What To Expect

Begin your experience inside a true Ecuadorian home kitchen where authentic flavors, stories, and hands-on cooking come together. Meet your instructor and a small group to begin your Ecuadorian culinary adventure. No experience is necessary, and you're bound to learn something new about Ecuadorian cooking and culture, whether you're a novice or an expert chef. Your group will create several traditional Ecuadorian dishes such as locro de papas and seco de pollo, plus several appetizers and the classic canelazo. Listen as your instructor guides you through the process of making the dishes, taking notes if you like. Most of the ingredients used in these dishes can be found all over the world, so you'll be able to recreate them at home. Once everything’s ready, gather around the table to enjoy the full meal you created, share stories with your host, and toast with a homemade canelazo. You leave not just with recipes, but with skills, moments, and connections most travelers never experience.

Sample Menu

starter

Tortilla de Verde y Maduro con queso

A savory blend of unripe and ripe plantains, lightly fried and topped with melted local cheese.

starter

Patacones

Crisp, double-fried green plantain slices with a hint of salt and a tangy dipping sauce.

starter

Ceviche Jipijapa

Fresh local fish marinated in citrus with tropical notes, offering a bright, coastal zing.

starter

Locro de Papas

A creamy potato soup unique to Cuenca’s style, topped with cheese and fresh avocado.

starter

Mapanagua

A traditional, invigorating beverage crafted with regional ingredients, delivering a crisp, refreshing finish.

starter

Canelazo Drink

A warming blend of sugarcane liquor, cinnamon, and fruit juice (like naranjilla), enjoyed hot, perfect for Quito’s mountain climate.

main

Seco de Pollo

Chicken slowly simmered with naranjilla juice, onions, and spices, yielding a tangy-sweet flavor that epitomizes southern Andean home cooking.

main

Fritada

Crispy pork bites seasoned with traditional spices and served with a refreshing curtido.

dessert

Dulce de Babaco

A luscious confection made from ripe babaco, balancing sweet and tangy flavors exquisitely.

dessert

Espumilla

A light, airy dessert with a delicate sweetness that offers a refreshing finish.

Options

Private class

Minimum 2 pax : Private Class
Duration: 3 hours

Shared Group class

Duration: 3 hours: Just the cooking class

Shared Class + Market tour

1h Market tour + Shared class
Duration: 4 hours: Slightly over 4 hours, since the Market Tour last 1 hour and the Class lasts around 3 hours.

Reviews

5.00

17 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Authentic, Fun, and Cozy Experience with Knowledgeable Chef
512ameliay,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
My partner and I had a great time at this cooking class! It was a truly authentic experience, and we got to learn so much about Ecuadorian culture and history. Our cooking class was held in Vanessa's home (in her own kitchen), which made the experience feel cozy and intimate. Vanessa had everything set up and ready for us when we got there. Vanessa used fresh ingredients, and she involved us in every part of the cooking process. We cut up ingredients, whipped up sauces, mashed potatoes, shaped patties... We were so involved that my partner and I both feel like we can now make these dishes (and drinks!) on our own. The best part of the experience - other than making and eating delicious food - was talking to Vanessa and learning about her love of Ecuadorian cooking. Vanessa speaks great English, and she was able to tell us about her travels within Ecuador (and the world) and how she learned to cook Ecuadorian dishes from different regions. Thank you Vanessa for such a lovely time :)
Great Tour
christinas3blue,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience! Food was delicious and very fun to make. Vanessa did an amazing job making you feel welcome and sharing about the recipes and food.
Great Experience!
ReginaS3667,
Aug 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a wonderful time cooking traditional Ecuadorian foods with Vanessa in her lovely home. It was the best food we had in Cuenca! I can’t wait to try some of her recipes at home. Definitely would recommend if you are looking for a unique experience. We learned a lot about cooking but also about life in Ecuador. I put pictures of just a few of the dishes we made- delicious!
Food tricks and stories.
U7755KKcarmena,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
!Good stories. Good company. Good cooking tricks. Delicious food! Good place location, safe . Very pleasant people. !
If I recommend being this cooking class
jenpB388VX,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The food was delicious and the Mood was nice. It was a wonderful experience just like learning to be new foods.
Cooking class
Z7084DCmelissam,
Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very good food and experience . Immersive environment and encouraging to help out at cooking . Fun environment and easy instructions .
An unforgettable local experience
462isabelag,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really great cooking experience with Vanessa! We collaboratively made and enjoyed several different Ecuadorean dishes while learning about the history and other facts about Ecuadorian food.
First Cooking Class
josesW5973VK,
Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The food was amazing! Vanessa and Andrés were so kind and welcoming. We'll definitely use these recipes in the future. If you're looking for a unique, low pressure activity in Cuenca I would highly recommend this class!
Ecuadorian gastronomy made easy
776imag,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Valentina is such a nice host. She prepared the ingredients and made everything so understandable and easy to replicate without losing the flavors of the dishes. I am ecuadorian and I recomend this class 100% if you want to get to know our gastronomy!
Bacansisima cooking class
T6171NSpabloc,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Unforgettable experience!!! 100% recommended if you want to enjoy a trip through Ecuadorian gastronomy in good company. The afternoon was blown away and we had a great time. Vanessa is super good people and teaches very well!!