Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Learn about our local cuisine and our organic products. We will visit and purchase some of the items from the local "10 de Agosto market". Then we head to a family house and beginning cooking our own meal!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Vegetarian or Vegan option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
What To Expect
The Ecuadorian cuisine and it's many different flavors and mix of ingredients is the main reason we have opted to offer you a great learning experience. Although its gastronomy is considered to be one of the most forgotten of South America the country has nothing to envy Peru which one of the most recognized cuisines in the world. Our first duty is to visit the "10 de Agosto" local market to handpick the ingredients that will be needed for our lunch. There's nothing better than handpicking ingredients which are commercialized by the local farmers and vendors of the region. This will give an added flavor to our home-cooked meal! We will now proceed to visit a welcoming local family that will invite us to their kitchen where we will begin our class. The chef will lead you to step by step into making our meal into perfection. Whether it's a “Locro de papas” a “Seco de Pollo” or any of the options we have, you will have the chance to learn about the local dishes and culture.
Sample Menu
starter
Locro de papas
The most typical soup of the Ecuadorian highlands made with potatoes, cheese, and avocado.
starter
Quinoa Soup
One of the very important indigenous foods made with quinoa, cheese, milk, onions, garlic.
starter
Empanadas de Viento
Fried cheese empanadas until crispy and served sprinkled with sugar.
main
Seco de Pollo
Chicken slowly stew cooking in a sauce of onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, herbs, and spices.
main
Fritada
Fried until crisp cubes of pork served with Llapingachos (grilled mashed potatoes), corn, and salad.
main
Vegetarian and Vegan options
Available under request.
Options
Private Tour
Duration: 4 hours Open Menu : Appetizers: Potatoes soup, Quinoa Soup, Empanadas Main course: Stewed chicken, Fritada, Vegetarian option Pickup included
Small-Group Tour (Max 6)
Duration: 4 hours Fixed menu: Potatoes soup and Stewed Chicken. Vegetarian option available under request. Pickup included
What‘s Included
Tour Guide/Driver
Hotel pickup and drop-off
All taxes, fees and handling charges
All ingredients
Lunch
Coffee and/or Tea
Market tour
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great cooking class & market visit in Cuenca
Nathan T,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an incredible experience during our cooking class. Wilson was a great host, very knowledgeable and of course a great cook. The stop at the local market and shopping for the fresh ingredients was the highlight. Highly recommend!
Awesome experience.
ohma hady,Feb 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Christian as our guide for the Private Cooking class and Market tour, as well as the El Cajas National Park Tour, and we had an amazing time. Christian was super knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate about his country. His English was excellent and we just had a really great time with him. We highly recommend these tours with Christian.
Wonderful experience.
mikekingjr,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time. Adrian was a delightful fellow, friendly and informative. Had a great experience at the host house making (and eating! ) the meal. Enjoyed the shopping experience as well!
Fun and Educational Food Experience
wildeyes,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wilson provided an excellent, fun and illuminating experience as my guide through Cuenca’s 12 de Abril market and as a cooking instructor in his home. I’m glad I opted for this experience.
A must do while in Cuenca!
tomwA2258XJ,Sep 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fantastic experience! Shopping for the necessary items in the spectacular market was made more special with our guide Wilson ! Our cooking class was in the beautiful home of Montserrat who treated us like family and stepped us through preparing a special rice, Locro de Papa - a delicious signature Equador soup and Seco de Pollo - deliciously prepared chicken. We also had an Ecuadorian snack made with mote (one of Equador’s many types of corn) , queso fresco and a salsa that we also prepared fresh! Finally Montserrat made us canalazo, a Ecuador specialty made with spices and fruit (tree tomato!) mixes with an agave tequila.. We even had a homemade ( not part of the class) lime ice cream with local blueberry topping. Everything was totally fresh!
A very nice experience to do it with your partner
934robinsonc,Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very peculiar experience, my partner and I loved it. Pedro took us through the 10th of August market and we experienced shopping, and for the kitchen we moved to the house of Monse, certainly an experience that I would repeat again and I recommend it to all who want to enjoy the culture and experience of Cuenca
A True Cuenca Experience!
Scovinator,Jul 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00From the moment we entered the car, Wilson’s authenticity and verve for sharing information and Cuenca charm was obvious. He has such an incredible knowledge-base and we thoroughly enjoyed his explanations as we shopped at the Mercado in preparations for our class. We were warmly welcomed by our hostess, Monserrath, and in the beauty of her wonderful home, we learned to make a variety of traditional Cuencan foods. And the meal! Wilson excelled at translations to support our line of cooking questions and Monserrat made sure that we understood measurements and techniques. We finished the day informed, full, and utterly charmed. Thank you both for your kindness and knowledge! We will never forget this outing!
Excellent experience!!
answerisyes,Jun 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a highlight of our time in Cuenca! Colorful bustling market to buy ingredients, then to a lovely home to learn how to prepare delicious traditional Ecuadorian dishes. Highly recommend!!
We had a wonderful time!
OnAir63157119010,Mar 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband & I loved it! Our guide Wilson was very knowledgeable about the area, and the different types of foods and their tastes and medicinal properties. He took us through the market and we had the cooking class in a private home! He was very kind, and the meal we learned to make was incredible! We would highly recommend this to our friends & family!
Excellent Cooking Class. Great Value
A1255YFscotts,Feb 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent Cooking Class with great friendly guide and Chef. My wife and I enjoyed the informative shopping experience in the Mercado plus being in the chefs beautiful home. Highly Recommended!
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Operated by Cuenca Bestours Tour Operator