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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Rafi and Lela

Cayey, Puerto Rico

USD
$130-$154 per person

Authentic Countryside Puerto Rican Cooking Class

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

Meet Rafi and Lela

Rafi and Lela are a lovely couple who come from large families (Lela has 32 in her immediate family!) that enjoy food, cooking and partying! Rafi learned to cook from his father and everyone in Lela's family is passionate about cooking or barbecuing. An attorney by profession, and the former head of the kitchen at the VA, Rafi and Lela respectively enjoy hosting large private parties and events at their home. They recently converted their house with a stunning view of the mountains and sea into a B&B. They are excited to host guests for a Puerto Rican cooking class in their home and share their culture and cuisine with them! Their beautiful countryside home is located about 40 minutes from San Juan or Ponce by freeway, (10 minute countryside drive from Cayey freeway exit 39 to destination)

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.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Rafi and Lela welcome you into their countryside home (and B&B) with a ginger or lavender lemonade or passionfruit mimosa! Enjoy your drink on the deck as you take in the stunning view of the mountains and sea that surround you. With a basket in hand, gather vegetables and herbs from the garden that you will use for your seasonal Puerto Rican cooking class. In their kitchen, Rafi and Lela will teach you the secrets of cooking traditional Puerto Rican comfort food from recipes passed down through generations in their families. You will learn to cook three dishes made from local and seasonal Puerto Rican ingredients. Your cooking lesson lasts about an hour and a half after which you will sit down to enjoy your meal at their communal kitchen table or dining room or outside, weather permitting.

Notes: Alcohol (a bottle of white or red wine or beer) is included in the cost of your experience. Wines and drinks are available upon request at extra cost.

Languages spoken: English, 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.
  • Appetizer: Beef or chesse turnovers, Alcapurrias or Bacalaitos
  • Main: Arroz con Longaniza y Habichuelas Guisadas (Rice with local sausage and Red Beans)
  • Side: Platain, Breadfruit or Jackfruit tostones (upon availability)
  • Side: House Avocado salad
  • Dessert: Passionfruit mousse or cocunut ice cream
  • Coffee or tea

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Leila and Rafi provided the classes in their mountain top home. For my daughter and me, they provided a context to the food we were eating, Puerto Rican history and culture at the same time that we experienced practical cooking tips and techniques. Neither of us wanted to leave! Beautiful setting, lovely people and well organized class.
- Ann_B April 01, 2024
This experience is true Puertorican warmth. The experience was super fun and unique, the location has breathtaking views of the mountains. Lela and Rafi are a delight as hosts, is an understatement to say the food was delicious. Would 1000% recommend!
- Valerie March 18, 2024
Meeting Rafi and Lela in their home was amazing, especially when the rain cleared. Then we could see across several mountaintops from their sunroof and go into the yard to see thier herbs and seasonings they are growing themselves for their meals. They were incredibly kind and gracious for our outing. We have always wanted to do a cooking outing g on a vacation and this one was remarkable.
- William February 25, 2024
Rafi and Lela are AMAZING!!! They greeted us the moment we pulled up and it was so easy to connect with them. The dishes we prepared were delicious and fun to make. I can’t recommend this class enough! Perfect for couples who want to learn more about Puerto Rican cuisine in a comfortable, inviting environment. Rafi and Lela will make you feel like family.
- Dominic February 19, 2024
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Rafi and Lela

$130-$154 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $154 $130
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $154 $130
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm

Meet Rafi and Lela

Rafi and Lela are a lovely couple who come from large families (Lela has 32 in her immediate family!) that enjoy food, cooking and partying! Rafi learned to cook from his father and everyone in Lela's family is passionate about cooking or barbecuing. An attorney by profession, and the former head of the kitchen at the VA, Rafi and Lela respectively enjoy hosting large private parties and events at their home. They recently converted their house with a stunning view of the mountains and sea into a B&B. They are excited to host guests for a Puerto Rican cooking class in their home and share their culture and cuisine with them! Their beautiful countryside home is located about 40 minutes from San Juan or Ponce by freeway, (10 minute countryside drive from Cayey freeway exit 39 to destination)

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.

Cooking experience: (2-6 guests) Rafi and Lela welcome you into their countryside home (and B&B) with a ginger or lavender lemonade or passionfruit mimosa! Enjoy your drink on the deck as you take in the stunning view of the mountains and sea that surround you. With a basket in hand, gather vegetables and herbs from the garden that you will use for your seasonal Puerto Rican cooking class. In their kitchen, Rafi and Lela will teach you the secrets of cooking traditional Puerto Rican comfort food from recipes passed down through generations in their families. You will learn to cook three dishes made from local and seasonal Puerto Rican ingredients. Your cooking lesson lasts about an hour and a half after which you will sit down to enjoy your meal at their communal kitchen table or dining room or outside, weather permitting.

Notes: Alcohol (a bottle of white or red wine or beer) is included in the cost of your experience. Wines and drinks are available upon request at extra cost.

Languages spoken: English, 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.
  • Appetizer: Beef or chesse turnovers, Alcapurrias or Bacalaitos
  • Main: Arroz con Longaniza y Habichuelas Guisadas (Rice with local sausage and Red Beans)
  • Side: Platain, Breadfruit or Jackfruit tostones (upon availability)
  • Side: House Avocado salad
  • Dessert: Passionfruit mousse or cocunut ice cream
  • Coffee or tea

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Leila and Rafi provided the classes in their mountain top home. For my daughter and me, they provided a context to the food we were eating, Puerto Rican history and culture at the same time that we experienced practical cooking tips and techniques. Neither of us wanted to leave! Beautiful setting, lovely people and well organized class.
- Ann_B April 01, 2024
This experience is true Puertorican warmth. The experience was super fun and unique, the location has breathtaking views of the mountains. Lela and Rafi are a delight as hosts, is an understatement to say the food was delicious. Would 1000% recommend!
- Valerie March 18, 2024
Meeting Rafi and Lela in their home was amazing, especially when the rain cleared. Then we could see across several mountaintops from their sunroof and go into the yard to see thier herbs and seasonings they are growing themselves for their meals. They were incredibly kind and gracious for our outing. We have always wanted to do a cooking outing g on a vacation and this one was remarkable.
- William February 25, 2024
Rafi and Lela are AMAZING!!! They greeted us the moment we pulled up and it was so easy to connect with them. The dishes we prepared were delicious and fun to make. I can’t recommend this class enough! Perfect for couples who want to learn more about Puerto Rican cuisine in a comfortable, inviting environment. Rafi and Lela will make you feel like family.
- Dominic February 19, 2024
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $154 $130
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered $154 $130
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm
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.