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Host: Isi (Tagaytay)

Tagaytay, Philippines

USD
$70-$100 per person

Traditional Filipino cooking in Tagaytay with a local foodie

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

Meet Isi (Tagaytay)

Isi has been in the food business for over ten years - creating recipes for dairy companies and restaurants, doing food styling and photography, selling spices online and teaching culinary arts at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. She has recently started "Chili Asylum", an institution dedicated to marketing fresh chilies and chilli products sourced directly from Filipino farmers. Isi says she learned everything she knows about cooking from her Nanay (grandmother) who she watched cook fresh lunches and dinners everyday growing up. Isi enjoys collaborating with other chefs and food lovers in the food business to create new and delicious food. They say cooler weather gives you a heartier appetite, and there is no better place to experience a hearty, homecooked meal than in Tagaytay. Famously known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines (next to the equally beautiful and chilly city of Baguio). Join Isi in Tagaytay as she cooks and serves a local, regional meal she grew up eating.

Curious to know more? Read a recent journalist's account in The Chicago Tribune of her experience with Isi here.

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: (5-20 guests) Isi's home in Tagaytay has beautiful, scenic views of Taal Volcano. It is also situated near farms, giving her access to the best, locally grown produce all year round. Isi will be cooking a classic home-cooked Filipino meal using locally sourced, seasonal, farm fresh ingredients. She will be recreating her grandparents classic recipes and adding her own twist to it. Your menu might include dishes such as fresh salad with calamansi or mulberry dressing, sinigang or chicken ginger soup, beef tapa (smoky marinated beef jerky, fried eggs, pickles served with garlic rice), seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk, followed by calamansi pie or fresh buko (coconut) pie & ube (purple yam) to end your meal.

Cooking experience: (5-20 guests) Isi's food is redolent of flavors such as calamansi, garlic, chilies, coconut milk and fish sauce. In her kitchen she will teach you to prepare Filipino family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. You can choose between a hands-on lesson and a cooking demonstration during which you will watch her prepare the meal. Just let her know your preference! Learn to cook the famous sour soup called sinigang or chicken ginger soup, a salad, and seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk.

Market visit: (5-20 guests) Meet Isi at her home and then drive for 10-15 minutes to a nearby market. You will either visit the Alfonso or Mahogany Market. The Alfonso Market (about 4-5 km away from Isi's home) is a farmers market that has all the fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. The Mahogany Market is a well-known market in Tagaytay (which is nearer Isi's home), here you can find stalls that sell fresh meat. Walk around the market with Isi and stop at her favorite stalls to buy a few ingredients for your cooking class.

Languages spoken: English

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.
  • Fresh salad with calamansi or mulberry dressing
  • Sinigang with fresh fish or chicken ginger soup
  • Beef tapa (smoky marinated beef jerky, fried eggs, pickles served with garlic rice)
  • Seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk
  • Calamansi pie or fresh buko (coconut) pie & ube (purple yam)
  • Homemade condiments & pickles

Traveler reviews

4.95 (39)
The whole experience was amazing : sourcing the ingredients from the market, the host and the food! Isi exceeded expectations! We asked if we could have wine while we were cooking and eating and she bought quite a selection! While preparing the food, we also did vinegar tasting. Who knew there were so many different vinegars! Isi gave us a great understanding of Filipino food and how it varies regionally. She also shared the culture and life in Manila. We got a better feel for the city with her than we did with a previous city tour. The market was huge and not to be missed ! We highly recommend this cooking class with isi.
- wendy December 30, 2025
Chef Isi showed us such a great time! Our tour was great! The stops were paced well and Chef Isi explained everything very well. It was also great to hear about her family and where she grew up. My mother and I enjoyed the final spot where we ate all the food we collected and spent time with Chef Isi's family. Don't hesitate to book!
- Jammy November 29, 2025
My father and I booked a tour with Isi and had a wonderful time. We learned so much about the Malabon culture and cuisine. We tried so many delicious foods during the tour. We are very grateful for the time we spent in the Malabon area with Isi. Would highly recommend!!
- Elenia November 17, 2025
We were warmly welcome by Isi in her home in the central part of BGC. She told us all we needed to know about Filipino staple ingredients to have in our cupboards, the typical ingredients used in everyday dishes. We were up for a treat as we cooked different types of local fish and prawns. All dishes were easy to make and accessible to all. We shared the meal all together and Isi surprised us with a special dessert. Isi then spent time to answer all our questions regarding potential trips to different areas of the Philippines included islands, northern cities, restaurant recommendations and more. This is an ideal activity if you start visiting the Philippines from Manila as you will be able to link the recipes, ingredients and stories to your travel here. Do not hesitate! Book it!
- Marion August 20, 2025
It was a lot of fun getting to know Isi and cooking with her! As a fil-am, I wanted to learn more about Filipino cuisine an to cook dishes I had not tried before, Isi exceeded me expectations. The day started in a local market and buying ingredients with Isi. Isi is very personable and we both got started talking about our passion of food and the significance it brings to Filipino culture. She asked me about my trip to the Philippines and where I was heading to next. Isi was able to provide great recommendations to the places I would going for the remainder of my trip, including restaurants and artisans. I highly recommend taking this tour at the beginning of your trip in the Philippines so you find gems in the areas you may not have otherwise found. She gave me so many recommendations I'll have to start planning my next trip to the Philippines! As for cooking and the food, it was excellent. Isi provided cooking tips and let me sample several ingredients from around the Philippines. She was able to modify the dishes as there were some ingredients I wanted to try. I came away with a better understanding of Filipino cuisine and my trip was made better through Isi's recommendations. I highly recommend cooking with Isi if you can!
- Noel August 10, 2025
Read More

Isi (Tagaytay)

$70-$100 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+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $86
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $100
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $86
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $100
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 11:30am-1:30pm 5:30pm-7:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 8:00am-12:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Isi (Tagaytay)

Isi has been in the food business for over ten years - creating recipes for dairy companies and restaurants, doing food styling and photography, selling spices online and teaching culinary arts at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde. She has recently started "Chili Asylum", an institution dedicated to marketing fresh chilies and chilli products sourced directly from Filipino farmers. Isi says she learned everything she knows about cooking from her Nanay (grandmother) who she watched cook fresh lunches and dinners everyday growing up. Isi enjoys collaborating with other chefs and food lovers in the food business to create new and delicious food. They say cooler weather gives you a heartier appetite, and there is no better place to experience a hearty, homecooked meal than in Tagaytay. Famously known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines (next to the equally beautiful and chilly city of Baguio). Join Isi in Tagaytay as she cooks and serves a local, regional meal she grew up eating.

Curious to know more? Read a recent journalist's account in The Chicago Tribune of her experience with Isi here.

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: (5-20 guests) Isi's home in Tagaytay has beautiful, scenic views of Taal Volcano. It is also situated near farms, giving her access to the best, locally grown produce all year round. Isi will be cooking a classic home-cooked Filipino meal using locally sourced, seasonal, farm fresh ingredients. She will be recreating her grandparents classic recipes and adding her own twist to it. Your menu might include dishes such as fresh salad with calamansi or mulberry dressing, sinigang or chicken ginger soup, beef tapa (smoky marinated beef jerky, fried eggs, pickles served with garlic rice), seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk, followed by calamansi pie or fresh buko (coconut) pie & ube (purple yam) to end your meal.

Cooking experience: (5-20 guests) Isi's food is redolent of flavors such as calamansi, garlic, chilies, coconut milk and fish sauce. In her kitchen she will teach you to prepare Filipino family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. You can choose between a hands-on lesson and a cooking demonstration during which you will watch her prepare the meal. Just let her know your preference! Learn to cook the famous sour soup called sinigang or chicken ginger soup, a salad, and seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk.

Market visit: (5-20 guests) Meet Isi at her home and then drive for 10-15 minutes to a nearby market. You will either visit the Alfonso or Mahogany Market. The Alfonso Market (about 4-5 km away from Isi's home) is a farmers market that has all the fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. The Mahogany Market is a well-known market in Tagaytay (which is nearer Isi's home), here you can find stalls that sell fresh meat. Walk around the market with Isi and stop at her favorite stalls to buy a few ingredients for your cooking class.

Languages spoken: English

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.
  • Fresh salad with calamansi or mulberry dressing
  • Sinigang with fresh fish or chicken ginger soup
  • Beef tapa (smoky marinated beef jerky, fried eggs, pickles served with garlic rice)
  • Seafood or vegetables cooked in coconut milk
  • Calamansi pie or fresh buko (coconut) pie & ube (purple yam)
  • Homemade condiments & pickles

Traveler reviews

4.95 (39)
The whole experience was amazing : sourcing the ingredients from the market, the host and the food! Isi exceeded expectations! We asked if we could have wine while we were cooking and eating and she bought quite a selection! While preparing the food, we also did vinegar tasting. Who knew there were so many different vinegars! Isi gave us a great understanding of Filipino food and how it varies regionally. She also shared the culture and life in Manila. We got a better feel for the city with her than we did with a previous city tour. The market was huge and not to be missed ! We highly recommend this cooking class with isi.
- wendy December 30, 2025
Chef Isi showed us such a great time! Our tour was great! The stops were paced well and Chef Isi explained everything very well. It was also great to hear about her family and where she grew up. My mother and I enjoyed the final spot where we ate all the food we collected and spent time with Chef Isi's family. Don't hesitate to book!
- Jammy November 29, 2025
My father and I booked a tour with Isi and had a wonderful time. We learned so much about the Malabon culture and cuisine. We tried so many delicious foods during the tour. We are very grateful for the time we spent in the Malabon area with Isi. Would highly recommend!!
- Elenia November 17, 2025
We were warmly welcome by Isi in her home in the central part of BGC. She told us all we needed to know about Filipino staple ingredients to have in our cupboards, the typical ingredients used in everyday dishes. We were up for a treat as we cooked different types of local fish and prawns. All dishes were easy to make and accessible to all. We shared the meal all together and Isi surprised us with a special dessert. Isi then spent time to answer all our questions regarding potential trips to different areas of the Philippines included islands, northern cities, restaurant recommendations and more. This is an ideal activity if you start visiting the Philippines from Manila as you will be able to link the recipes, ingredients and stories to your travel here. Do not hesitate! Book it!
- Marion August 20, 2025
It was a lot of fun getting to know Isi and cooking with her! As a fil-am, I wanted to learn more about Filipino cuisine an to cook dishes I had not tried before, Isi exceeded me expectations. The day started in a local market and buying ingredients with Isi. Isi is very personable and we both got started talking about our passion of food and the significance it brings to Filipino culture. She asked me about my trip to the Philippines and where I was heading to next. Isi was able to provide great recommendations to the places I would going for the remainder of my trip, including restaurants and artisans. I highly recommend taking this tour at the beginning of your trip in the Philippines so you find gems in the areas you may not have otherwise found. She gave me so many recommendations I'll have to start planning my next trip to the Philippines! As for cooking and the food, it was excellent. Isi provided cooking tips and let me sample several ingredients from around the Philippines. She was able to modify the dishes as there were some ingredients I wanted to try. I came away with a better understanding of Filipino cuisine and my trip was made better through Isi's recommendations. I highly recommend cooking with Isi if you can!
- Noel August 10, 2025
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $86
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $100
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $70
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $86
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $100
Alcohol
 $10 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 11:30am-1:30pm 5:30pm-7:30pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-1:00pm 4:00pm-7:00pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
 8:00am-12:00pm 3:00pm-7:00pm
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 4% 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.

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    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.