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Host: Lucia

Mexico City, Mexico

USD
$48-$120 per person

Authentic Mexican cooking in San Angel with a gastronomic historian

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

Meet Lucia

For as long as she can remember Lucía has always been a keen cook. Her passion for gastronomy led her to earn a bachelors degree in Mexican cuisine, another in international cuisine, and a Master’s degree in history focused on Mexican culinary history. She now teaches gastronomic history at local universities. When she’s not working, she is most often found in the kitchen, cooking the recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother, and from her husband’s family, who hail from the Yucatan.

A welcoming host, Lucía loves to share Mexican gastronomic history and tell her guests about her memories growing up in the kitchen and her favorite cooking secrets. Lucía lives near San Angel, a residential neighborhood in south Mexico City. Her house is in the traditional style and is designed to receive guests. Join her for a delicious homemade meal and relax in her peaceful garden, a world away from the hustle and bustle of central Mexico City.

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: (2-13 guests) Enjoy a home-style Mexican meal at Lucía’s table. Your menu will be based on the season and might include dishes like potato leek soup, albondigas en salsa de chile chipotle mecos (meatballs in a smoked chili sauce), sopa de nopalitos (cactus paddles in bean broth), traditional moles (savory meat dishes cooked in spice and chili sauce), or chile en nogada (stuffed poblano chilies, smothered in creamy walnut sauce, available seasonally). Your meal will end with a traditional sweet, like flan, arroz con leche (rice pudding), or capirotada (Mexican bread pudding).

Cooking experience: (2-13 guests) Learn to cook authentic Mexican dishes with Lucía in this Mexico City cooking class. Lucía can cook a wide variety of Mexican dishes, from traditional family recipes passed down through generations of home cooks, to modern dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Cook together with Lucía and learn some of her favorite cooking tips and techniques in your authentic cooking class in Mexico City. Note that Lucía can offer both a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration in which you will watch Lucía prepare the dishes. Please specify what you prefer at the time of booking.

Market visit: (2-13 guests) Meet Lucía at Mercado San Angel, a bustling covered market filled with everything you need to make a traditional meal at home. During this Mexico City market tour Lucía will teach you about the local products on offer, from farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, to dried chilies and spices, to flowers and handicrafts. After exploring the market together you will take a taxi to Lucia’s home to begin your cooking lesson.

Notes: Please note Lucia does not host on Sundays.

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.
  • Nopalitos soup in bean broth or lima soup or tortilla soup or aztec soup
  • Albondigas en salsa de chile chipotle meco or chiles en nogada or encacahuatado with chicken or veracruzana fish or Fish Aguachile de pescado sihuatanejo style
  • Pork in verdolagas or Poblano chiles stuffed with cheese or meat or Oaxaca cheese quesadillas or sopes served with red molcajete sauce
  • Mexican white rice or red rice or black rice with platano macho
  • Dulce de guayaba or dulce de mamey or flan de cajeta or gollorias
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Lucia is such an interesting woman, passionate about history and gastronomy, about Mexico. It is a pleasure listening to her and talking with her about her cooking memories and secrets.
The cooking experience at Lucia's feels like escaping from hectic Mexico City for a while. Her house is quiet, her garden an oasis of calm and her spacious kitchen is a very practical place to cook together. She is passionate about both Mexican history and gastronomy and can tell you the story and secrets of any dish. Lucy is attached to the authenticity of Mexican gastronomy and taste. Far from the traditional guacamole, quesadillas and tacos, she knows local recipes that will not disappoint you!

Alix, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (65)
Our time with Lucia started at a local market where we explored things that we would need to create a food experience. She shared with us the history of many of the ingredients we would use, and we were able to taste samples of spices and food made by artisans with more than 40 years’ experience. Lucia welcomed us into her home and her kitchen where we learned how to prepare authentic Mexican cuisine. Every bite was mouth watering. The bonus was the conversation that made us feel like we were with a long time friend. What a fantastic journey! If you are planning to visit Mexico City, add this to the top of your bucket list of things to do.
- Eric_B September 29, 2024
Cooking with Lucia was a great experience! I definitely recommend her class. We had amazing food in a beautiful home. She was also kind enough to help us find our way to the San Angel where there is a great market, restaurants and the Diego Riviera studio.
- 758maren June 17, 2024
We did a Monday morning class with Lucia with a market tour. This was a great time to plan an activity as many things are closed on Mondays but the markets are better on the weekends. The cooking class was an incredible experience in Lucia’s beautiful home. She accommodated a special menu for us as adventurous cooks, vegetarian, and gluten free. Lucia is so incredibly knowledgeable about her hometown and history of Mexican food. We felt so lucky to have spent the day with her cooking a menu of tortillas, sopes, quesadillas, Huazontles, salsa molcajete, nopal salad, arroz verde, and xoconostles. We cooked everything together from scratch with local ingredients. She was very warm, inviting, and took the time to answer questions and explain techniques for example what would make a tortilla better. Evita was a delight and assisted with the class. We loved meeting Lucia’s dog Martina. I would recommend this class to anyone visiting Mexico City especially if you like to cook.
- W2760 April 28, 2024
We were so delighted with our market and cooking experience with Lucia. We started out with a market tour, and it was clear that Lucia was familiar with everyone there as we learned about market history, dried chiles, traditional remedies, and various other market wares. From there, we headed to Lucia’s home, a very clean and comfortable space with a lovely large kitchen area and charming backyard, which had an amazing view of a ravine, completely covered in trees and dwellings. It really gave us a different sense of the variety in what is CDMX, since near our hotels, it was all buildings, manicured, or treeless. We were most excited to learn to make mole, where we started with Phil taking the lead in frying the many ingredients while Lucia taught Rane to make the fresh and roasted salsas we would learn to prepare. Everything we made turned out great. She helped us to learn the details of how to create many dishes with detailed hands-on experiences. We made Mexican rice, molotes (with chorizo and potatoes), sopes, quesadillas (with cheese and huitlacoche), 2 salsas, and chicken with freshly made mole. We even had prickly pear in syrup for dessert. We got to understand the versatility of the masa across various antojitos. We snacked on those until Phil became worried that he would not be able to eat the mole over the chicken, which was stupendous. Phil can’t wait to find the time to make up a big batch. We even managed the dessert, which was a wonderful end to the meal and the experience. With the market visit, we also have a much better sense of how mole is sold fresh, and we’re hoping we might just be able to try some from one of our local Mexican grocery stores when we’re searching for other supplies to replicate our experience. While she wasn’t a coffee drinker, she was happy to accommodate our desire to have some coffee she had while we were working. We were made to feel welcome at all times and had lots of fun while learning more about the culture and the food.
- philipp3 January 17, 2024
A wonderful experience! This was a hands-on cooking class in Lucia’s beautiful home. We learned so much about Mexican food and the lunch was absolutely delicious. Our six year old loved it too! Highly recommended.
- Sarah_M June 24, 2023
We had a fantastic morning of cooking! My mother and I enjoyed a delicious menu of fresh flavorful ingredients. The experience is very hands on with chopping, sauteing, making quesadillas with masa, grinding vegetables into salsa. It was amazing. The joy of the class is the host, Lucia! She's warm, patient, and open! She's excited to share and teach. Her background on food and history is phenomenal! Also her house is beautiful with a great backyard and cute dog! She is also open to you suggesting what types of foods you'd like to make. This is a 10/10 experience and a must try if in CDMX.
- Nick B May 03, 2023
My son and I had a fabulous time learning to cook with Lucia. She was an amazing host so we learned about Mexican cooking and about life in Mexico more generally. We had a fascinating time and her garden was a lovely oasis in Mexico City to enjoy the meal after. She was the consummate host.
- Mana April 26, 2023
We have had multiple highlights on this trip to Mexico City, but this experience tops the list. Lucia was warm and welcoming into her beautiful home. And so gracious with sharing her vast skills in the kitchen. We made adobe, salsa verde, casadillas (including homemade tortillas by us!). An absolute highlight! HIGHLY recommend it!
- Beth G April 12, 2023
Wonderful menu and cooking experience. Relaxing atmosphere and warm hospitality. Lucia is an excellent hostess and accommodated all dietary needs and restrictions.
- Amitav March 20, 2023
Wonderful menu and cooking experience. Relaxing atmosphere and warm hospitality. Lucia is an excellent hostess and accommodated all dietary needs and restrictions.
- amitav March 17, 2023
Lucia was amazing! She was so nice and gave us some great cooking insight. Would recommend to anyone
- 915ainsl March 04, 2023
Lucia was amazing! She was so nice and gave us some great cooking insight. Would recommend to anyone
- 915ainsl March 04, 2023
Lucía was the best, our communication was great and she tried to accommodate our requests with no fuss. The whole experience was better than expected. Everyone that visits Mexico should do this tour… highly recommended!!
- Silvia S November 07, 2022
Lucia was a lot of fun as a teacher. Full of knowledge! Going to the market and asking questions was very helpful! We made a lot of food which was all delicious. It always help to have the hands on experience . I can’t wait to make the green mole at home, very soon. I feel like I made a new friend. Thank you.
- Beth_A October 30, 2022
Lucia was a wonderful host - we met at the local market first where she showed us all the local produce and patiently answered all our questions. We then went to her home where we learned how to prepare cactus, made tortillas and quesadillas from scratch. It was an amazing experience that immersed us deeply in the local culture and experience Mexican hospitality at its fullest! Would recommend to anyone visiting Mexico City!
- chingho September 26, 2022
Incredible experience!!! Our cooking class with Lucia was the highlight of our trip! We started at the market where she showed us a variety of foods, spices, & goods that are unique to Mexico. We then went to her beautiful home where we started cooking. We made an array of delicious quesadillas, molé verde, Mexican rice, & flan de cajeta! It was my husband’s birthday so she was sure to include some of his favorite dishes! We learned SO much and had so much fun doing it! Lucia is a wealth of knowledge, very kind, and an amazing Chef! After we finished cooking, we got to sit outside in her beautiful, lush garden and enjoy the fruits of our labor! She has a stunning view and an incredible garden where she grows her own herbs and vegetables. We communicated before our arrival and she gave us so many wonderful recommendations and tips for our trip. She even set us up with a private guide to Xochimilco for a sunrise tour, which exceeded all expectations! Do yourself a favor and book a cooking class with Lucia! I promise you won’t regret it!
- Go7029 July 25, 2022
Lucia welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. We got to work in her spacious kitchen prepping several dishes. She very generously accommodated the variety of dishes we'd suggested as options to learn how to make - roast, stuffed poblano peppers, green salsa, lime cured fish (ceviche Mexican style), red rice, and, of course, tortillas. She worked patiently with us explaining the cooking techniques and the backstory on different variations in preparation styles. Then she joined us for lunch in her lush garden while we stuffed our faces. Very highly recommend this for anyone who likes to cook (or eat) and is curious about stories behind the foods.
- Atcher June 01, 2022
Lunch with Lucia was so wonderful. The food was amazing and she was able to accommodate my food restrictions as a vegan! Beautiful experience, delicious food, and we got to learn so much from her. Definitely would recommend this to anyone visiting Mexico City that enjoys delicious food 😊
- Nadia June 01, 2022
Our experience with Lucia was something I will never forget! We learned so much about Mexican cuisine & this will go down as a highlight of our trip to CDMX!! A truly great time!
- Joe_V March 09, 2022
Ese día nos queda como una gran memoria del viaje a México. De verdad es tan memorable y también una aprendizaje que nos lleva al futuro. Lucia es muy amable y nos invitó en su casa y no trató como amigos. Nos enseñó y nos servió comida excelente y nos dio las recetas para preparar al regresar a casa. 100% te recomiendo tomar esta clase.
- K9157L January 11, 2022
I have done private cooking classes and market tours around the world and Lucia is at the top of the list. Lucia is personable, knowledgeable, and very good at managing a group with varying skill levels. We made chicken and mole, fried quesadillas, and a guava dessert. We had fun, ate well, and importantly learned some key skills. I would gladly book another class. Did I mention Lucia is a wonderful person to sit and chat with when it is time to eat? Lucia, send those recipes!
- N1929 December 08, 2021
The entire experience was exactly what my husband and I were looking for during our trip to Mexico City! We started the day by meeting Lucia at a local market where she took us around to local stands to explain the local produce, try fresh corn tortillas and even bought us a few sweets to take home. As we made our way into Lucia's home, she was nothing but welcoming & really made us feel comfortable as guests in her home. We had an awesome time learning how to make a traditional mole, mushroom quesadillas and even taught us how to make a flan from scratch! Lucia's beautiful backyard really set the stage for an amazing & peaceful lunch. Lucia even recommended a few activities & helped us book a spot at a local restaurant that she spoke highly of. All in all, this is exactly what an at-home cooking experiences should be!! I would recommend this experience to all of my friends and anyone looking to have a true cooking experience with a local chef!
- Michelle L November 22, 2021
We had the most amazing afternoon with Lucia! Everything we made was delicious and she went above and beyond for us.
- Katelyn October 15, 2021
As we planned our trip to Mexico my wife and discussed taking a cooking class. How else do you really get to know another culture? You really learn a lot through the experience food. We met Lucia at a local market. This is where our experience began. She walked us through the market that she had been going to since she was a young girl. We learned about the different spices and variety of fruits and vegetables as we wondered through the maze of vendors in the market. Everyone was kind and generous to allow us a few tastes of their products. It was a wonderful experience. My daughters boyfriend said it was the best experience he had ever had in his life on a vacation. We made our way back to Lucia's house where we quickly became a big family together for that afternoon. Cooking our way into Chicken Mole and our sauces that turned us into little pigs. At the end we all sat together and enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon talking, laughing and eating together. It is a must do again.
- Z6775 July 17, 2021
A delightful day and a highlight of the trip. Lucia hosts you in her elegant and lovely house with a stunning backdrop as the garden looks out on a kind of urban ravine. The lesson is appropriately informative, and hands on, with both an opportunity to polish one's own culinary skills whilst at the same time gaining a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Mexico. Since food plays such a large part in that culture, of course. I must also acknowledge her friends and helpers, for her two assistants were exemplary. They all pulled together as a team, to show, first hand, how the Mexicans themselves make their extraordinary cuisine in real time. Drinks are provided of course to go with the food (I must shamefacedly admit to having my first one at 11.30 but that isn't compulsory!) and the time just flew by. Lucia herself was wonderfully friendly, I come from near London, and this prompted her to share some enjoyable experiences spent in my home town when a much younger woman before her marriage. Clearly a happy time in her life. I suspect this formative time explains her excellent command of vernacular English. But don't worry, she understands Americans too. ;-) The lesson is augmented by very useful recommendations so if you are to do this (and you should) there is definitely a benefit to doing it at an early stage of your visit. Highly recommended both to those new to Mexico, and also those experienced old hands who know the country well, but are looking for new perspective and insight. If you like Mexican food you are sure to enjoy this experience, and also to find you see it (and indeed the country itself) in a transformative new light. One left feeling as though one had found a new friend. Enjoy!
- Bielsas July 08, 2021
This was a wonderful experience for my girlfriend and I at Lucia's house! Lucia was very welcoming and we had a great time with her and the other ladies who helped us with the cooking. We learned to make mole, quesadillas filled with traditional Mexican fillings of squash flower and huitlacoche, salsa, mexican rice, and more. Everything was delicious and Lucia was helpful through the whole process. She even advised us on some dining experiences in CDMX. If you're visiting I would definitely recommend this experience with Lucia!
- Estevan June 07, 2021
Let me just start by saying that our guide Lucia was absolutely STELLAR. My wife and I managed to book her last minute during a holiday week but she was kind enough to work with our schedule. We arrived at Mercado San Angel for the tour and she was extremely knowledgeable of all the foods, but most importantly, the people working the stalls too. While we toured the market she picked up various items that we would later include in our meal.Afterward, she drove us to her beautiful home where we prepared our meal in a very well organized and clean kitchen. Each dish was quite tasty and my only complaint is that my wife and I were unable to eat more of it. During the time that we cooked, we asked her various questions about Mexican culture and its culinary history. Lucia was very well-versed and answered everything we asked of her. If you're interested in learning more about Mexican food, its history, and the current scene, Lucia is the one to ask.Highly recommended and would do it again when we visited Mexico City in the future.
- philngu January 07, 2020
This was the best travel decision I have made in a long time! Lucia was delightful and the food we made was absolutely delicious and I would go back again in a heartbeat. Lucia is a top notch Mexican gastronomer and she made our experience interesting, informative, and hands on. We did the cooking ourselves and left with recipes so I feel comfortable replicating the dishes at home.
- DrSassySarah October 04, 2019
What a great day from start to finish! This wonderful very unique experience of learning with Lucia exceeded every expectation. Starting with a tour around the market and learning about ingredients, sauces, spices, new (to me) fruit and vegetables along with the history of uses and ingredients particular to certain areas of Mexico. Then a lovely rest of the day learning to make several delicious dishes that we enjoyed eating. Lucia is a wealth of knowledge not only about food history and cooking but also about great neighborhoods, cafes, museums and events that we could enjoy. Lucia is a wonderful host and I highly recommend this experience and will remain a great memory of my best day in Mexico City. I cant say enough about how much we enjoyed our day with Lucia and would not hesitate to recommend her.
- Lilytravels September 30, 2019
Lucia is the best! I highly recommend her. We traveled to CDMX from California. My 21 year old son is in a wheelchair and loves to experience food and culture. Lucia did not disappoint. She welcomed us into her home and included all of us in making the most amazing, authentic Mexican meal! She knows her stuff and is so warm and friendly. It was the experience of a lifetime!!
- linda1097 August 23, 2019
The chefs were very knowledgeable and we enjoyed learning how to make traditional Mexican dishes in a beautiful home. Their home had a beautiful backyard where we were able to talk and enjoy the food we prepared. It was interesting to not only see the dishes prepared but get the history as to why they were prepared that way and why they used the tools and ingredients they used. I would absolutely recommend it to adults and families!
- Celeste S July 08, 2019
Our day with Lucia was a highlight of a recent trip to Mexico City. Her deep culinary knowledge, as both an academic and lifelong resident of San Angel, meant that we learned new things all through the day. As we visited the market she's been going to all her life, we not only got to sample some new foods, but also to learn about their cultural and historical significance. Seeing San Angel was a treat we might have otherwise missed. But the real delight was the time we spent in Lucia's beautiful kitchen. She had everything planned and ready for us to work with, but the afternoon felt much more like cooking with a lovely friend than a class, especially as the three of us chatted and enjoyed the lunch we had made. And the day after we returned home, we went out and bought tomatillos to recreate the delicious salsa she'd taught us to make!
- EWCalifornia April 06, 2019
6 friends and I heard about Lucia through the grapevine and decided to spring for this amazing and unique opportunity! Among all the amazing things to do in Mexico City, going to the market and her home kitchen to learn about pre and post colonial Mexican cuisine was such a warm, personal, delightful experience. From the moment we met her at the market until our post-meal coma...Lucia was a kind and generous host how taught and showed us so many amazing things! I would recommend this experience for anyone who loves to learn about food and culture, cook, eat, and have wonderful conversations with wonderful people.
- lizcorcoran81 April 05, 2019
Had a wonderful time at the market tour and cooking lesson at Lucia's home. Lucia decided on the afternoon's menu as we walked around Mercado San Angel seeing what looked good or special that day. Great food, great conversation, and a lovely way to spend a Monday afternoon outside the typical Mexico City tourist areas. Would highly recommend!
- Kristel Shu B March 17, 2019
Lucia was the perfect host for us! She was a delight and a treat to explore the markets, and learn how to cook delish Mexican cuisines. We could not have asked for anything better, as we cooked in her fabulous home. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a first hand experience. No doubt a highlight of our trip.
- AndrewC1373 February 27, 2019
Four of us met Lucia at the market where we spent ~30 minutes walking around the market, sampling local products, and picking up a few things. I really wanted to find a molcajete to bring home and Lucia was great about helping me find a vendor that sold one for a good price. After the market we hopped in her car for a quick ride back to her beautiful home where we spent the next few hours making mole and tamales. The class was great and very hands on - even with 4 of us there was something for everyone to do. Lucia was fantastic at explaining things and super patient and relaxed. The food turned out wonderfully and it was fun chatting with her over lunch. While her place is 20-30 minutes outside the main tourist areas of Condesa and Roma, it's definitely worth the trip. It's a $5 USD Uber ride and the San Angel neighborhood is nice to walk around. If you book for Saturday, you could also combine it with the nearby Bazaar Sabado.
- jon0077 January 07, 2019
We registered for the cooking class through Traveling Spoon. Lucia was our teacher-chef. There were 7 of us total - 4 adults and 3 children - and she welcomed us warmly to her lovely home in the San Angel region of Mexico City. Her kitchen was well laid-out, so there was ample room for us to engage in cooking and to observe. She was so gracious and engaging with the children, making them a little something special. Her English was wonderful and she enthusiastic and engaging with everyone. Since my husband and I were going to stay a few days later than the rest of the party, s also helped us get a wonderful room at lovely boutique hotel in the Roma district. The meal was absolutely delicious, and she shared the recipes for the meal we'd prepared. We highly recommend this fabulous experience - the highlight of our visit!
- precia January 06, 2019
This was by far the highlight of our five day trip to Mexico City! Lucia is incredibly knowledgeable and fun and made making mole seem easy for a group of five gringas! (And the mole was delicious to boot!) Could not recommend this experience enough.
- megzmcd January 06, 2019
My friends and I took a private cooking class from Lucia in her home during our trip to Mexico City. Lucia was incredibly warm, generous and welcoming, and the class was super informative. She taught was how to make tamales and chicken mole, all while giving us a Mexican history/culture lesson. Lucia also gave us some delicious tequila while we cooked. Class and dinner with Lucia was the highlight of my trip. I can't recommend Lucia enough! I agree with previous reviewers, Lucia speaks perfect english, she is a great teacher, and you should leave plenty of time to hang out. We were there for approximately 4 hours. Thanks Lucia!
- J_euglac January 05, 2019
We couldn't have been more impressed with Lucia and our cooking lesson. We were a group of 4 adults and two teens. She was in contact before our lesson and crafted a menu based on our likes/dislikes and special requests. She met us at her local market, where she knew most of the vendors, and they were happy to take a moment to chat and offer us tastes of the various foods they sold. After the market tour, we went to Lucia's home for our cooking class--by way of her beautiful historic neighborhood. Her home was just lovely, with a kitchen large enough to allow all of us to help with the cooking at the same time. Lucia was so personable and fun! She made us feel welcome and right at home. She demonstrated and explained all of the steps and techniques we used while cooking and also told us about some specific ingredients to look for in the US. After everything was prepared, we sat around her dining table to enjoy great conversation and the delicious meal we'd made with her. Lucia was incredibly kind and welcoming and it felt like all of us made a real connection. She went out of her way to come up with some suggestions about where we could find a good meal on New Year's Eve, even making a few calls while we were still there to see if she could help us acquire a reservation!We can't recommend her highly enough. Thank you Lucia!
- abcclio2000 January 05, 2019
I bought this experience for my boyfriend for his birthday and we were not disappointed!! It was the first week of our travelling experience and it was amazing, the food was delicious and we loved learning the Mexican techniques and all about the foods we had never heard of. Lucia was lovely made us feel so at home and was so welcoming! Her dog was also lovely. Left feeling extremely happy and full of knowledge, thank you Lucia lots of love Tash and Will x
- natashahL8388VD November 29, 2018
My four friends and I recently spent a long weekend in Mexico City, and one thing on our list was a cooking class. I found Lucía online and during our initial correspondence, she was responsive and excited to teach us something new. We Uber’ed to her home from the city on a Friday evening - side note, give yourself time for the traffic - and she welcomed us into her beautiful home with a hug. We spent the next 3 hours in her spacious and light filled kitchen, where she taught us how to make cactus salad, Huitlacoche soup, red rice, and the show stopper - a quick Veracruz style mole. During food preparations, we sat and sampled mezcal and learned of her passion for cooking. She then ushered us into her dining room where we enjoyed the delicious food that we had prepared, all the while talking about holiday traditions with our families. It was truly one of the best Thanksgiving dinners we had in years.Don’t hesitate to reserve this class - you will not regret it!
- wandering_geek November 25, 2018
Great evening! We were SO stuffed we hardly had room for the mole! Lucia (and her son Fernando) were warm, welcoming and exactly why I love to travel. My brothers and sis n law had a great time learning new recipes, new techniques and an all around perfect evening. Lucia's home is lovely in a gated community. This was one of our anchor experiences in why we LOVED Mexico City. Bonus: we had a birthday in our bunch and Lucia was happy to help us surprise the birthday boy :)FYI It was about a US$ 12 Uber ride from Polanco. I've enjoyed cooking classes in various countries, but I especially enjoyed the in home experience of Lucia's class.
- Eli B November 09, 2018
This was a stellar experience from start to finish. Lucia is a warm and generous host and planned a wonderful meal for us with seasonal specialty Huitlacoche as well as a simple mole, a light and refreshing sopa and home made empanadas. The food was delicious and I cannot wait to try them again at home.
- Velolucy2014 November 01, 2018
I’m a former New York City chef, so I have a love for food and always spend my time going to local markets, restaurants and cooking classes when I travel. My friend and I spent the day with Lucia at her beautiful home in Mexico City. She created an exceptionally varied, flavorful and generous menu and even took my request for a regional dish that I was dying to make. Lucia is extremely knowledgeable and walked us through each recipe as we shared food prep. We had an easygoing conversation filled with laughter and ended up sharing personal experiences by the end of the day, promising to visit each other if we were ever traveling in Mexico, San Francisco or London. After a week spent in CDMX, we felt that our day with Lucia was the highlight of this trip. In my mind, these types of cultural, personal exchanges are what make travel so rewarding. If you have a chance to spend an afternoon or evening with Lucia, don’t pass it up. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend her to any of my friends—from professional chefs to home cooks.
- Lisa B November 01, 2018
Our family of four had a hands on cooking class with Lucia. We learned a lot about the food and preparation. More importantly we learned a great deal about Mexican culture and history. I would definitely visit with Lucia and her family again if we return to Mexico.
- jodibochenek September 18, 2018
My husband and I had the pleasure of doing the market tour and in home cooking lesson with Lucia, and it was a true highlight of our trip to Mexico City. We met Lucia at the San Juan market and learned so much about the produce and spices available - we were the only tourists and felt like we really got the authentic market experience. We picked up a few goodies and headed back to Lucia's beautiful home - it was full of light and the kitchen was huge! Spending a few hours cooking with Lucia was so fun - we had so many tastings of different items, that by the time we sat down for our meal, we were already full! For our meal we made some tacos to start, and tortilla soup, meatballs in a chipotle sauce, a sweet guava dessert, and margaritas and it was all so delicious and comforting. Sitting down and chatting with Lucia at the end was the true highlight - we really bonded over some shared life experiences and made a new friend. Lucia also helped us with restaurant recommendations and activities for the remainder of our trip!If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to book this experience with Lucia, please don't pass it up. Your bellies will be full, and you hearts will be fuller.
- Jess G September 13, 2018
Our family had a fantastic time cooking with Lucia in her lovely home. She accommodated our request for GF recipes (our daughter has celiac disease) and to learn how to cook with mole sauce! She is informative and friendly, speaks english beautifully, and the evening passed with a relaxed pace and opportunities to learn about Mexican cooking and culture. We were also lucky enough to meet some of her family members and to play with her dogs! I would recommend this to families with adventurous eaters interested in exploring a less touristy neighborhood with older kids (ours are 17 & 20). Bravo!
- Colleen W September 11, 2018
My friends and I had a wonderful afternoon of cooking, tasting ingredients new to our palettes, and learning about the history of Mexico from our wonderful chef and Mexican historian Lucia. Her home was beautiful and inviting, with the most gorgeous view, and her dogs were so handsome. The menu was well planned, prepped for, and executed (at least Lucia's was was well executed! LOL) - and the food was absolutely, hands-down delicious. Lucia was hospitable, down-to-earth, and willing to go with the flow - my friend ended up showing her how to make fried chicken that maintains a crunchy coating! Spending time with real people in their home, cooking authentic dishes, eating great food and learning is one of the BEST ways to really get to know any culture. Lucia (and her wonderful sister) and the afternoon of cooking and food we shared will be a highlight of my Mexico City trip for sure.
- akabuttons September 02, 2018
My friends and I spent the afternoon with Lucia, and had a blast. Not only was the food delicious we got to work with ingredients that we had never heard of before, and learn completely new techniques. The class is held at Lucia’s house, which offered a very intimate and personalized experience. We made tortillas and sopas Deon scratch, which were turned into a delectable appetizer of quesadilla and chicarron sopes. Our main entree was Chile’s en nogada! It was unbelievably delicious. Lucia was also a wealth of knowledge about The history of Mexico and its cuisine. I highly recommend this class! We had a wonderful time!
- Eula T September 01, 2018
Lucia treated our group of four to a truly rewarding culinary experience! She put a great deal of forethought into planning our menu, emailing back and forth to make certain we would learn something new and interesting. Our market tour was illuminating and FUN, as was cooking in her beautiful home. We learned so much about Mexican cuisine and culture. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet organized, and Lucia emanated warmth and kindness. We made a real connection! Definitely a highlight of our trip to Mexico City and an experience I will not soon forget.
- Alexandra C August 25, 2018
An afternoon with Lucia is a great way to carve out an intimate experience in such a large populated city. We had been to a market beforehand and had so many questions as to what things were so we brought all our questions for Lucia. Lucia will walk you through the tastes, history and use of native Mexican food/ingredients. Returning to her beautiful home, you get a hands-on lesson making a 3-course meal and a possibly a few extras ;). Lucia (and her housekeeper) are such warm people; a lesson from them is like having your own mother passing down a family recipe. Lucia has impeccable English so can easily share her knowledge and expertise. Once our meal was made we all sat down in the dining room to enjoy our meal together and had a chance to get to know one another. Many thanks Lucia!Tip: don't plan a tightly scheduled day as your lesson may run a bit over...like any good dinner party!
- YVRFoodie12 August 24, 2018
Lucia was a simply wonderful host. She showed us the ins and outs of the Mercado San Angel, introducing us to both vendors and new flavors. After welcoming us into her home, we prepared a delicious meal together under Lucia's instruction. Along the way, she explained the role of different ingredients and dishes in Mexican culinary history, from Catholic convents to prehispanic agriculture. Even more than the delicious meal, we enjoyed the chance to learn about Mexican food and culture from a local, especially one as warm and knowledgeable as Lucia.In short, this was the highlight of our weeklong stay in Mexico City. I can't recommend it enough.
- rwtrevor August 07, 2018
My daughter and I had a wonderful night with Lucia in her lovely home. She walked us through some delicious recipes and we enjoyed dinner and conversation. She sent us the recipes shortly afterwards. We very much enjoyed ourselves, made some delicious food and had a great time. Thank you!
- dissector July 22, 2018
As an industry professional, I was looking on Traveling Spoon for a historian of Mexican cuisine and the variables from region to region. Lucia was an exemplary wealth of knowledge about the history of Mexico city, as a native of the San Angel neighborhood, Lucia is a chef working in Mexico and exemplifying Mexican cuisine internationally. She took myself and my two friends, to the Mercado Melchior Muzquiz, answering all of our eager questions and teaching us about the market culture she had grown up and sharing our excitement to try the regional ingredients Mexico has to offer. I very much appreciated Lucia's translations in purchasing and conversing about regional legumes, specially some heritage ones I was seeking. We learned that guava, purslane, among other vegetables, were in season at that moment.For our actual cooking lesson, Lucia invited us over to her beautiful house and taught us how to make many variations on a theme--mole, tacos, chili rellenos-- and planned a fantastic three course meal for us. She shared the cookbooks she had about regional plants and vegetables (we cooked cuitlacoche, corn fungus, a tender fennel like front that tasted of asparagus, vegetarian mole) and taught us the extensive genre of chili rellenos. For our appetizer we prepared cuitlacoche and salsa verde tacos as well as mole with local grass, nopales and potato. For our main course, we prepared a duo of chili rellenos--an ancho chili, rehydrated in cane syrup, stuffed with refried black beans and chorizo and a charred poblano chili stuffed with Queso Chihuahua and corn, slowly fried in an aerated egg batter, rice (!!! the star), and guava gel with cheese.It is clear that Lucia has a voracious passion and drive for cooking, learning, and sharing. We had an unforgettable time learning from her and her sous, a charming older woman who compared arms with me and found all the same burn marks. I learned so much from the day spent with Lucia and gained a deeper understanding of Mexican cuisine and language surrounding cooking, before, and after the Spaniards. Lucia will tailor your experience to your interests, may it be fish or vegan cooking, and thoughtfully prepare a menu accordingly. Do not hesitate to book an experience with Lucia; if you are a novice, or a professional. Her enthusiasm is infectious and inspiring and you will come away from this day inspired from the market, the food, and stimulating conversation. We love Martina and Rita, thank you so much, again, Lucia!!
- Felicia W May 31, 2018
My friends and I wanted a different adventure while visiting Mexico City. We found traveling spoon and decided to take part in a cooking experience with Lucia de la Barra. I would recommend this to everyone!! We met her at the market and she gave us a mini lesson I different fruits and vegetables native to Mexico. We even sat down for a light snack! We then went to her beautiful home tucked away in this pretty neighborhood to begin cooking. We each got a role and helped each other and made an amazing meal! We made fresh margaritas (the best I’ve ever had). We ended up chatting with her family for hours and enjoyed a nice relaxing afternoon. If you come to Mexico City and want something different I highly recommend cooking with Lucia de la barra!!
- tmcneill916 May 28, 2018
This class was a birthday gift for my mom, and Lucia really made it a special and memorable experience. We tried lots of interesting fruits and spices at the market, then cooked several delicious recipes at her beautiful home. I especially liked that she chose recipes that I will be able to replicate back home in the US - the ingredients were not so specialized that they would be hard to find, and the preparation was complicated enough to be fun, but not so difficult that I couldn't do it on my own.
- Kathryn N April 24, 2018
The cooking lesson with Lucia was a highlight of our trip! The meal was delicious - we're eagerly waiting recipes via email to try at home. Lucia welcomed us into her beautiful home like old friends. As we worked, she demonstrated and explained steps and techniques. We appreciate that Lucia was well organized: she sent the menu before we arrived; considered a food allergy; included requested Lime Soup on menu. Lucia included many delicious special touches: Margaritas from recipe she enjoys and recently received; ant eggs tostada; vegan mole taco; great green salsa; delicious guacamole; corn cake with rompope sauce. Lucia's kitchen was well-designed/laid out. The set-up allowed for us to easily watch, listen, and participate.
- waltsimms April 23, 2018
The cooking lesson with Lucia was a highlight of our trip! The meal was delicious - we’re eagerly waiting recipes via email to try at home. Lucia welcomed us into her beautiful home like old friends. As we worked, she demonstrated and explained steps and techniques. We appreciate that Lucia was well organized: she sent the menu before we arrived; considered a food allergy; included requested Lime Soup on menu. Lucia included many delicious special touches: Margaritas from recipe she enjoys and recently received; ant eggs tostada; vegan mole taco; great green salsa; delicious guacamole; corn cake with rompope sauce. Lucia’s kitchen was well-designed/laid out. The set-up allowed for us to easily watch, listen, and participate.
- waltsimms April 17, 2018
For any traveller to Mexico City – make the time to do this – you will not regret it!! Lucia is a most pleasant and relaxed host coupled with an extensive knowledge of Mexican cooking, culture and history. We had a great time in her local market investigating, tasting and engaging with the local sellers. Returning to Lucia’s most beautiful home accompanied by an insightful “audio” tour of her neighbourhood. You certainly get a complete all-round experience and the opportunity to find out what makes Mexico City tick. The cooking experience is very engaging – and you can be as involved as you care to be so no pressure to demonstrate your own skills or knowledge – Lucia is very accommodating and keen to share her own passion and knowledge of the flavoursome and authentic food she prepares and best of all, you get to eat it. It was just so satisfying in all respects and a massive thank you Lucia! Tony & Katie - Mar 2018 (London UK).
- tonyroberts99 April 09, 2018
For any traveller to Mexico City – make the time to do this – you will not regret it!! Lucia is a most pleasant and relaxed host coupled with an extensive knowledge of Mexican cooking, culture and history. We had a great time in her local market investigating, tasting and engaging with the local sellers. Returning to Lucia’s most beautiful home accompanied by an insightful “audio” tour of her neighbourhood. You certainly get a complete all-round experience and the opportunity to find out what makes Mexico City tick. The cooking experience is very engaging – and you can be as involved as you care to be so no pressure to demonstrate your own skills or knowledge – Lucia is very accommodating and keen to share her own passion and knowledge of the flavoursome and authentic food she prepares and best of all, you get to eat. It was just so satisfying in all respects and a massive thank you Lucia! Tony & Katie - Mar 2018 (London UK).
- tonyroberts99 April 09, 2018
We booked a traveling spoon activity with Lucia de la Barra in Mexico City. She was extremely knowledgeable in cuisine, professional and so fun and friendly! It truly felt like cooking with family, if your family happened to be a world renowned chef! We made meatballs, tortilla soup, guacamole and acho sauce. She also was so sweet and let us try some of the other food she's prepared for her catering business. 11/10 would recommend and do again! We've already recommended her to our friends. Not to mention, she has the sweetest dogs and sous chef! It was such a joy to experience Mexico through her eyes! She has such a passion for the place, food and culture.
- Desiree' H February 19, 2018
Lucía made me feel right at home. She seemed invested in me tasting and learning how to make many different Mexican dishes. Cooking in her big kitchen was such a relaxing break from the city and the tourist grind. She taught me history through the food we made and she was lovely to get to know. I liked learning about her life and she was interested in learning from me too. She even gave me a ride to Diego Rivera’s museum nearby! A very sweet day.
- sstern429 February 19, 2018
11/10 would recommend Lucia de la Barra! She is sweet, kind, generous and very very talented. We were late on arriving but she didn't pressure us or rush the cooking along. She truly went out of her way to ensure that Tucker and I had a wonderful experience and got to try a vast number of her specialities, from the snacks to the tequila to the homemade granola she whips out! Not to mention the actual meal itself! It was flavorful and bold and just wonderful to get to meet and share an experience with someone who has a lot of passion for what they do !
- Desiree and Tucker February 19, 2018
Lucia is wonderful and, honestly, I think the cooking class in her home was the highlight of our trip to Mexico City. She has a beautiful home with an amazing garden (where we picked herbs to use in our meal and lime leaves to make tea). she's so knowledgeable about Mexican culture, cuisine, and history - and is a great teacher. I'm vegetarian and she was fantastic about accommodating - we did both meat and veg dishes (and learned even more!). We also met her family which was really nice - we were able to chat, get to know them, and really begin to understand the culture of the place. I couldn't recommend her class more highly. Lucia - we hope to see you again soon! x
- Allison October 17, 2017
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Lucia

$48-$120 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
In-Home Meal
Not offered $60 $48
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $104 $104
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $120 $120
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $60 $48
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $104 $104
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $120 $120
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 2:30pm-6:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:00am-3:00pm 2:00pm-7:00pm

Meet Lucia

For as long as she can remember Lucía has always been a keen cook. Her passion for gastronomy led her to earn a bachelors degree in Mexican cuisine, another in international cuisine, and a Master’s degree in history focused on Mexican culinary history. She now teaches gastronomic history at local universities. When she’s not working, she is most often found in the kitchen, cooking the recipes she learned from her mother and grandmother, and from her husband’s family, who hail from the Yucatan.

A welcoming host, Lucía loves to share Mexican gastronomic history and tell her guests about her memories growing up in the kitchen and her favorite cooking secrets. Lucía lives near San Angel, a residential neighborhood in south Mexico City. Her house is in the traditional style and is designed to receive guests. Join her for a delicious homemade meal and relax in her peaceful garden, a world away from the hustle and bustle of central Mexico City.

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: (2-13 guests) Enjoy a home-style Mexican meal at Lucía’s table. Your menu will be based on the season and might include dishes like potato leek soup, albondigas en salsa de chile chipotle mecos (meatballs in a smoked chili sauce), sopa de nopalitos (cactus paddles in bean broth), traditional moles (savory meat dishes cooked in spice and chili sauce), or chile en nogada (stuffed poblano chilies, smothered in creamy walnut sauce, available seasonally). Your meal will end with a traditional sweet, like flan, arroz con leche (rice pudding), or capirotada (Mexican bread pudding).

Cooking experience: (2-13 guests) Learn to cook authentic Mexican dishes with Lucía in this Mexico City cooking class. Lucía can cook a wide variety of Mexican dishes, from traditional family recipes passed down through generations of home cooks, to modern dishes using fresh, local ingredients. Cook together with Lucía and learn some of her favorite cooking tips and techniques in your authentic cooking class in Mexico City. Note that Lucía can offer both a hands-on cooking class or a cooking demonstration in which you will watch Lucía prepare the dishes. Please specify what you prefer at the time of booking.

Market visit: (2-13 guests) Meet Lucía at Mercado San Angel, a bustling covered market filled with everything you need to make a traditional meal at home. During this Mexico City market tour Lucía will teach you about the local products on offer, from farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, to dried chilies and spices, to flowers and handicrafts. After exploring the market together you will take a taxi to Lucia’s home to begin your cooking lesson.

Notes: Please note Lucia does not host on Sundays.

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.
  • Nopalitos soup in bean broth or lima soup or tortilla soup or aztec soup
  • Albondigas en salsa de chile chipotle meco or chiles en nogada or encacahuatado with chicken or veracruzana fish or Fish Aguachile de pescado sihuatanejo style
  • Pork in verdolagas or Poblano chiles stuffed with cheese or meat or Oaxaca cheese quesadillas or sopes served with red molcajete sauce
  • Mexican white rice or red rice or black rice with platano macho
  • Dulce de guayaba or dulce de mamey or flan de cajeta or gollorias
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Lucia is such an interesting woman, passionate about history and gastronomy, about Mexico. It is a pleasure listening to her and talking with her about her cooking memories and secrets.
The cooking experience at Lucia's feels like escaping from hectic Mexico City for a while. Her house is quiet, her garden an oasis of calm and her spacious kitchen is a very practical place to cook together. She is passionate about both Mexican history and gastronomy and can tell you the story and secrets of any dish. Lucy is attached to the authenticity of Mexican gastronomy and taste. Far from the traditional guacamole, quesadillas and tacos, she knows local recipes that will not disappoint you!

Alix, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (65)
Our time with Lucia started at a local market where we explored things that we would need to create a food experience. She shared with us the history of many of the ingredients we would use, and we were able to taste samples of spices and food made by artisans with more than 40 years’ experience. Lucia welcomed us into her home and her kitchen where we learned how to prepare authentic Mexican cuisine. Every bite was mouth watering. The bonus was the conversation that made us feel like we were with a long time friend. What a fantastic journey! If you are planning to visit Mexico City, add this to the top of your bucket list of things to do.
- Eric_B September 29, 2024
Cooking with Lucia was a great experience! I definitely recommend her class. We had amazing food in a beautiful home. She was also kind enough to help us find our way to the San Angel where there is a great market, restaurants and the Diego Riviera studio.
- 758maren June 17, 2024
We did a Monday morning class with Lucia with a market tour. This was a great time to plan an activity as many things are closed on Mondays but the markets are better on the weekends. The cooking class was an incredible experience in Lucia’s beautiful home. She accommodated a special menu for us as adventurous cooks, vegetarian, and gluten free. Lucia is so incredibly knowledgeable about her hometown and history of Mexican food. We felt so lucky to have spent the day with her cooking a menu of tortillas, sopes, quesadillas, Huazontles, salsa molcajete, nopal salad, arroz verde, and xoconostles. We cooked everything together from scratch with local ingredients. She was very warm, inviting, and took the time to answer questions and explain techniques for example what would make a tortilla better. Evita was a delight and assisted with the class. We loved meeting Lucia’s dog Martina. I would recommend this class to anyone visiting Mexico City especially if you like to cook.
- W2760 April 28, 2024
We were so delighted with our market and cooking experience with Lucia. We started out with a market tour, and it was clear that Lucia was familiar with everyone there as we learned about market history, dried chiles, traditional remedies, and various other market wares. From there, we headed to Lucia’s home, a very clean and comfortable space with a lovely large kitchen area and charming backyard, which had an amazing view of a ravine, completely covered in trees and dwellings. It really gave us a different sense of the variety in what is CDMX, since near our hotels, it was all buildings, manicured, or treeless. We were most excited to learn to make mole, where we started with Phil taking the lead in frying the many ingredients while Lucia taught Rane to make the fresh and roasted salsas we would learn to prepare. Everything we made turned out great. She helped us to learn the details of how to create many dishes with detailed hands-on experiences. We made Mexican rice, molotes (with chorizo and potatoes), sopes, quesadillas (with cheese and huitlacoche), 2 salsas, and chicken with freshly made mole. We even had prickly pear in syrup for dessert. We got to understand the versatility of the masa across various antojitos. We snacked on those until Phil became worried that he would not be able to eat the mole over the chicken, which was stupendous. Phil can’t wait to find the time to make up a big batch. We even managed the dessert, which was a wonderful end to the meal and the experience. With the market visit, we also have a much better sense of how mole is sold fresh, and we’re hoping we might just be able to try some from one of our local Mexican grocery stores when we’re searching for other supplies to replicate our experience. While she wasn’t a coffee drinker, she was happy to accommodate our desire to have some coffee she had while we were working. We were made to feel welcome at all times and had lots of fun while learning more about the culture and the food.
- philipp3 January 17, 2024
A wonderful experience! This was a hands-on cooking class in Lucia’s beautiful home. We learned so much about Mexican food and the lunch was absolutely delicious. Our six year old loved it too! Highly recommended.
- Sarah_M June 24, 2023
We had a fantastic morning of cooking! My mother and I enjoyed a delicious menu of fresh flavorful ingredients. The experience is very hands on with chopping, sauteing, making quesadillas with masa, grinding vegetables into salsa. It was amazing. The joy of the class is the host, Lucia! She's warm, patient, and open! She's excited to share and teach. Her background on food and history is phenomenal! Also her house is beautiful with a great backyard and cute dog! She is also open to you suggesting what types of foods you'd like to make. This is a 10/10 experience and a must try if in CDMX.
- Nick B May 03, 2023
My son and I had a fabulous time learning to cook with Lucia. She was an amazing host so we learned about Mexican cooking and about life in Mexico more generally. We had a fascinating time and her garden was a lovely oasis in Mexico City to enjoy the meal after. She was the consummate host.
- Mana April 26, 2023
We have had multiple highlights on this trip to Mexico City, but this experience tops the list. Lucia was warm and welcoming into her beautiful home. And so gracious with sharing her vast skills in the kitchen. We made adobe, salsa verde, casadillas (including homemade tortillas by us!). An absolute highlight! HIGHLY recommend it!
- Beth G April 12, 2023
Wonderful menu and cooking experience. Relaxing atmosphere and warm hospitality. Lucia is an excellent hostess and accommodated all dietary needs and restrictions.
- Amitav March 20, 2023
Wonderful menu and cooking experience. Relaxing atmosphere and warm hospitality. Lucia is an excellent hostess and accommodated all dietary needs and restrictions.
- amitav March 17, 2023
Lucia was amazing! She was so nice and gave us some great cooking insight. Would recommend to anyone
- 915ainsl March 04, 2023
Lucia was amazing! She was so nice and gave us some great cooking insight. Would recommend to anyone
- 915ainsl March 04, 2023
Lucía was the best, our communication was great and she tried to accommodate our requests with no fuss. The whole experience was better than expected. Everyone that visits Mexico should do this tour… highly recommended!!
- Silvia S November 07, 2022
Lucia was a lot of fun as a teacher. Full of knowledge! Going to the market and asking questions was very helpful! We made a lot of food which was all delicious. It always help to have the hands on experience . I can’t wait to make the green mole at home, very soon. I feel like I made a new friend. Thank you.
- Beth_A October 30, 2022
Lucia was a wonderful host - we met at the local market first where she showed us all the local produce and patiently answered all our questions. We then went to her home where we learned how to prepare cactus, made tortillas and quesadillas from scratch. It was an amazing experience that immersed us deeply in the local culture and experience Mexican hospitality at its fullest! Would recommend to anyone visiting Mexico City!
- chingho September 26, 2022
Incredible experience!!! Our cooking class with Lucia was the highlight of our trip! We started at the market where she showed us a variety of foods, spices, & goods that are unique to Mexico. We then went to her beautiful home where we started cooking. We made an array of delicious quesadillas, molé verde, Mexican rice, & flan de cajeta! It was my husband’s birthday so she was sure to include some of his favorite dishes! We learned SO much and had so much fun doing it! Lucia is a wealth of knowledge, very kind, and an amazing Chef! After we finished cooking, we got to sit outside in her beautiful, lush garden and enjoy the fruits of our labor! She has a stunning view and an incredible garden where she grows her own herbs and vegetables. We communicated before our arrival and she gave us so many wonderful recommendations and tips for our trip. She even set us up with a private guide to Xochimilco for a sunrise tour, which exceeded all expectations! Do yourself a favor and book a cooking class with Lucia! I promise you won’t regret it!
- Go7029 July 25, 2022
Lucia welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. We got to work in her spacious kitchen prepping several dishes. She very generously accommodated the variety of dishes we'd suggested as options to learn how to make - roast, stuffed poblano peppers, green salsa, lime cured fish (ceviche Mexican style), red rice, and, of course, tortillas. She worked patiently with us explaining the cooking techniques and the backstory on different variations in preparation styles. Then she joined us for lunch in her lush garden while we stuffed our faces. Very highly recommend this for anyone who likes to cook (or eat) and is curious about stories behind the foods.
- Atcher June 01, 2022
Lunch with Lucia was so wonderful. The food was amazing and she was able to accommodate my food restrictions as a vegan! Beautiful experience, delicious food, and we got to learn so much from her. Definitely would recommend this to anyone visiting Mexico City that enjoys delicious food 😊
- Nadia June 01, 2022
Our experience with Lucia was something I will never forget! We learned so much about Mexican cuisine & this will go down as a highlight of our trip to CDMX!! A truly great time!
- Joe_V March 09, 2022
Ese día nos queda como una gran memoria del viaje a México. De verdad es tan memorable y también una aprendizaje que nos lleva al futuro. Lucia es muy amable y nos invitó en su casa y no trató como amigos. Nos enseñó y nos servió comida excelente y nos dio las recetas para preparar al regresar a casa. 100% te recomiendo tomar esta clase.
- K9157L January 11, 2022
I have done private cooking classes and market tours around the world and Lucia is at the top of the list. Lucia is personable, knowledgeable, and very good at managing a group with varying skill levels. We made chicken and mole, fried quesadillas, and a guava dessert. We had fun, ate well, and importantly learned some key skills. I would gladly book another class. Did I mention Lucia is a wonderful person to sit and chat with when it is time to eat? Lucia, send those recipes!
- N1929 December 08, 2021
The entire experience was exactly what my husband and I were looking for during our trip to Mexico City! We started the day by meeting Lucia at a local market where she took us around to local stands to explain the local produce, try fresh corn tortillas and even bought us a few sweets to take home. As we made our way into Lucia's home, she was nothing but welcoming & really made us feel comfortable as guests in her home. We had an awesome time learning how to make a traditional mole, mushroom quesadillas and even taught us how to make a flan from scratch! Lucia's beautiful backyard really set the stage for an amazing & peaceful lunch. Lucia even recommended a few activities & helped us book a spot at a local restaurant that she spoke highly of. All in all, this is exactly what an at-home cooking experiences should be!! I would recommend this experience to all of my friends and anyone looking to have a true cooking experience with a local chef!
- Michelle L November 22, 2021
We had the most amazing afternoon with Lucia! Everything we made was delicious and she went above and beyond for us.
- Katelyn October 15, 2021
As we planned our trip to Mexico my wife and discussed taking a cooking class. How else do you really get to know another culture? You really learn a lot through the experience food. We met Lucia at a local market. This is where our experience began. She walked us through the market that she had been going to since she was a young girl. We learned about the different spices and variety of fruits and vegetables as we wondered through the maze of vendors in the market. Everyone was kind and generous to allow us a few tastes of their products. It was a wonderful experience. My daughters boyfriend said it was the best experience he had ever had in his life on a vacation. We made our way back to Lucia's house where we quickly became a big family together for that afternoon. Cooking our way into Chicken Mole and our sauces that turned us into little pigs. At the end we all sat together and enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon talking, laughing and eating together. It is a must do again.
- Z6775 July 17, 2021
A delightful day and a highlight of the trip. Lucia hosts you in her elegant and lovely house with a stunning backdrop as the garden looks out on a kind of urban ravine. The lesson is appropriately informative, and hands on, with both an opportunity to polish one's own culinary skills whilst at the same time gaining a fascinating insight into the history and culture of Mexico. Since food plays such a large part in that culture, of course. I must also acknowledge her friends and helpers, for her two assistants were exemplary. They all pulled together as a team, to show, first hand, how the Mexicans themselves make their extraordinary cuisine in real time. Drinks are provided of course to go with the food (I must shamefacedly admit to having my first one at 11.30 but that isn't compulsory!) and the time just flew by. Lucia herself was wonderfully friendly, I come from near London, and this prompted her to share some enjoyable experiences spent in my home town when a much younger woman before her marriage. Clearly a happy time in her life. I suspect this formative time explains her excellent command of vernacular English. But don't worry, she understands Americans too. ;-) The lesson is augmented by very useful recommendations so if you are to do this (and you should) there is definitely a benefit to doing it at an early stage of your visit. Highly recommended both to those new to Mexico, and also those experienced old hands who know the country well, but are looking for new perspective and insight. If you like Mexican food you are sure to enjoy this experience, and also to find you see it (and indeed the country itself) in a transformative new light. One left feeling as though one had found a new friend. Enjoy!
- Bielsas July 08, 2021
This was a wonderful experience for my girlfriend and I at Lucia's house! Lucia was very welcoming and we had a great time with her and the other ladies who helped us with the cooking. We learned to make mole, quesadillas filled with traditional Mexican fillings of squash flower and huitlacoche, salsa, mexican rice, and more. Everything was delicious and Lucia was helpful through the whole process. She even advised us on some dining experiences in CDMX. If you're visiting I would definitely recommend this experience with Lucia!
- Estevan June 07, 2021
Let me just start by saying that our guide Lucia was absolutely STELLAR. My wife and I managed to book her last minute during a holiday week but she was kind enough to work with our schedule. We arrived at Mercado San Angel for the tour and she was extremely knowledgeable of all the foods, but most importantly, the people working the stalls too. While we toured the market she picked up various items that we would later include in our meal.Afterward, she drove us to her beautiful home where we prepared our meal in a very well organized and clean kitchen. Each dish was quite tasty and my only complaint is that my wife and I were unable to eat more of it. During the time that we cooked, we asked her various questions about Mexican culture and its culinary history. Lucia was very well-versed and answered everything we asked of her. If you're interested in learning more about Mexican food, its history, and the current scene, Lucia is the one to ask.Highly recommended and would do it again when we visited Mexico City in the future.
- philngu January 07, 2020
This was the best travel decision I have made in a long time! Lucia was delightful and the food we made was absolutely delicious and I would go back again in a heartbeat. Lucia is a top notch Mexican gastronomer and she made our experience interesting, informative, and hands on. We did the cooking ourselves and left with recipes so I feel comfortable replicating the dishes at home.
- DrSassySarah October 04, 2019
What a great day from start to finish! This wonderful very unique experience of learning with Lucia exceeded every expectation. Starting with a tour around the market and learning about ingredients, sauces, spices, new (to me) fruit and vegetables along with the history of uses and ingredients particular to certain areas of Mexico. Then a lovely rest of the day learning to make several delicious dishes that we enjoyed eating. Lucia is a wealth of knowledge not only about food history and cooking but also about great neighborhoods, cafes, museums and events that we could enjoy. Lucia is a wonderful host and I highly recommend this experience and will remain a great memory of my best day in Mexico City. I cant say enough about how much we enjoyed our day with Lucia and would not hesitate to recommend her.
- Lilytravels September 30, 2019
Lucia is the best! I highly recommend her. We traveled to CDMX from California. My 21 year old son is in a wheelchair and loves to experience food and culture. Lucia did not disappoint. She welcomed us into her home and included all of us in making the most amazing, authentic Mexican meal! She knows her stuff and is so warm and friendly. It was the experience of a lifetime!!
- linda1097 August 23, 2019
The chefs were very knowledgeable and we enjoyed learning how to make traditional Mexican dishes in a beautiful home. Their home had a beautiful backyard where we were able to talk and enjoy the food we prepared. It was interesting to not only see the dishes prepared but get the history as to why they were prepared that way and why they used the tools and ingredients they used. I would absolutely recommend it to adults and families!
- Celeste S July 08, 2019
Our day with Lucia was a highlight of a recent trip to Mexico City. Her deep culinary knowledge, as both an academic and lifelong resident of San Angel, meant that we learned new things all through the day. As we visited the market she's been going to all her life, we not only got to sample some new foods, but also to learn about their cultural and historical significance. Seeing San Angel was a treat we might have otherwise missed. But the real delight was the time we spent in Lucia's beautiful kitchen. She had everything planned and ready for us to work with, but the afternoon felt much more like cooking with a lovely friend than a class, especially as the three of us chatted and enjoyed the lunch we had made. And the day after we returned home, we went out and bought tomatillos to recreate the delicious salsa she'd taught us to make!
- EWCalifornia April 06, 2019
6 friends and I heard about Lucia through the grapevine and decided to spring for this amazing and unique opportunity! Among all the amazing things to do in Mexico City, going to the market and her home kitchen to learn about pre and post colonial Mexican cuisine was such a warm, personal, delightful experience. From the moment we met her at the market until our post-meal coma...Lucia was a kind and generous host how taught and showed us so many amazing things! I would recommend this experience for anyone who loves to learn about food and culture, cook, eat, and have wonderful conversations with wonderful people.
- lizcorcoran81 April 05, 2019
Had a wonderful time at the market tour and cooking lesson at Lucia's home. Lucia decided on the afternoon's menu as we walked around Mercado San Angel seeing what looked good or special that day. Great food, great conversation, and a lovely way to spend a Monday afternoon outside the typical Mexico City tourist areas. Would highly recommend!
- Kristel Shu B March 17, 2019
Lucia was the perfect host for us! She was a delight and a treat to explore the markets, and learn how to cook delish Mexican cuisines. We could not have asked for anything better, as we cooked in her fabulous home. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a first hand experience. No doubt a highlight of our trip.
- AndrewC1373 February 27, 2019
Four of us met Lucia at the market where we spent ~30 minutes walking around the market, sampling local products, and picking up a few things. I really wanted to find a molcajete to bring home and Lucia was great about helping me find a vendor that sold one for a good price. After the market we hopped in her car for a quick ride back to her beautiful home where we spent the next few hours making mole and tamales. The class was great and very hands on - even with 4 of us there was something for everyone to do. Lucia was fantastic at explaining things and super patient and relaxed. The food turned out wonderfully and it was fun chatting with her over lunch. While her place is 20-30 minutes outside the main tourist areas of Condesa and Roma, it's definitely worth the trip. It's a $5 USD Uber ride and the San Angel neighborhood is nice to walk around. If you book for Saturday, you could also combine it with the nearby Bazaar Sabado.
- jon0077 January 07, 2019
We registered for the cooking class through Traveling Spoon. Lucia was our teacher-chef. There were 7 of us total - 4 adults and 3 children - and she welcomed us warmly to her lovely home in the San Angel region of Mexico City. Her kitchen was well laid-out, so there was ample room for us to engage in cooking and to observe. She was so gracious and engaging with the children, making them a little something special. Her English was wonderful and she enthusiastic and engaging with everyone. Since my husband and I were going to stay a few days later than the rest of the party, s also helped us get a wonderful room at lovely boutique hotel in the Roma district. The meal was absolutely delicious, and she shared the recipes for the meal we'd prepared. We highly recommend this fabulous experience - the highlight of our visit!
- precia January 06, 2019
This was by far the highlight of our five day trip to Mexico City! Lucia is incredibly knowledgeable and fun and made making mole seem easy for a group of five gringas! (And the mole was delicious to boot!) Could not recommend this experience enough.
- megzmcd January 06, 2019
My friends and I took a private cooking class from Lucia in her home during our trip to Mexico City. Lucia was incredibly warm, generous and welcoming, and the class was super informative. She taught was how to make tamales and chicken mole, all while giving us a Mexican history/culture lesson. Lucia also gave us some delicious tequila while we cooked. Class and dinner with Lucia was the highlight of my trip. I can't recommend Lucia enough! I agree with previous reviewers, Lucia speaks perfect english, she is a great teacher, and you should leave plenty of time to hang out. We were there for approximately 4 hours. Thanks Lucia!
- J_euglac January 05, 2019
We couldn't have been more impressed with Lucia and our cooking lesson. We were a group of 4 adults and two teens. She was in contact before our lesson and crafted a menu based on our likes/dislikes and special requests. She met us at her local market, where she knew most of the vendors, and they were happy to take a moment to chat and offer us tastes of the various foods they sold. After the market tour, we went to Lucia's home for our cooking class--by way of her beautiful historic neighborhood. Her home was just lovely, with a kitchen large enough to allow all of us to help with the cooking at the same time. Lucia was so personable and fun! She made us feel welcome and right at home. She demonstrated and explained all of the steps and techniques we used while cooking and also told us about some specific ingredients to look for in the US. After everything was prepared, we sat around her dining table to enjoy great conversation and the delicious meal we'd made with her. Lucia was incredibly kind and welcoming and it felt like all of us made a real connection. She went out of her way to come up with some suggestions about where we could find a good meal on New Year's Eve, even making a few calls while we were still there to see if she could help us acquire a reservation!We can't recommend her highly enough. Thank you Lucia!
- abcclio2000 January 05, 2019
I bought this experience for my boyfriend for his birthday and we were not disappointed!! It was the first week of our travelling experience and it was amazing, the food was delicious and we loved learning the Mexican techniques and all about the foods we had never heard of. Lucia was lovely made us feel so at home and was so welcoming! Her dog was also lovely. Left feeling extremely happy and full of knowledge, thank you Lucia lots of love Tash and Will x
- natashahL8388VD November 29, 2018
My four friends and I recently spent a long weekend in Mexico City, and one thing on our list was a cooking class. I found Lucía online and during our initial correspondence, she was responsive and excited to teach us something new. We Uber’ed to her home from the city on a Friday evening - side note, give yourself time for the traffic - and she welcomed us into her beautiful home with a hug. We spent the next 3 hours in her spacious and light filled kitchen, where she taught us how to make cactus salad, Huitlacoche soup, red rice, and the show stopper - a quick Veracruz style mole. During food preparations, we sat and sampled mezcal and learned of her passion for cooking. She then ushered us into her dining room where we enjoyed the delicious food that we had prepared, all the while talking about holiday traditions with our families. It was truly one of the best Thanksgiving dinners we had in years.Don’t hesitate to reserve this class - you will not regret it!
- wandering_geek November 25, 2018
Great evening! We were SO stuffed we hardly had room for the mole! Lucia (and her son Fernando) were warm, welcoming and exactly why I love to travel. My brothers and sis n law had a great time learning new recipes, new techniques and an all around perfect evening. Lucia's home is lovely in a gated community. This was one of our anchor experiences in why we LOVED Mexico City. Bonus: we had a birthday in our bunch and Lucia was happy to help us surprise the birthday boy :)FYI It was about a US$ 12 Uber ride from Polanco. I've enjoyed cooking classes in various countries, but I especially enjoyed the in home experience of Lucia's class.
- Eli B November 09, 2018
This was a stellar experience from start to finish. Lucia is a warm and generous host and planned a wonderful meal for us with seasonal specialty Huitlacoche as well as a simple mole, a light and refreshing sopa and home made empanadas. The food was delicious and I cannot wait to try them again at home.
- Velolucy2014 November 01, 2018
I’m a former New York City chef, so I have a love for food and always spend my time going to local markets, restaurants and cooking classes when I travel. My friend and I spent the day with Lucia at her beautiful home in Mexico City. She created an exceptionally varied, flavorful and generous menu and even took my request for a regional dish that I was dying to make. Lucia is extremely knowledgeable and walked us through each recipe as we shared food prep. We had an easygoing conversation filled with laughter and ended up sharing personal experiences by the end of the day, promising to visit each other if we were ever traveling in Mexico, San Francisco or London. After a week spent in CDMX, we felt that our day with Lucia was the highlight of this trip. In my mind, these types of cultural, personal exchanges are what make travel so rewarding. If you have a chance to spend an afternoon or evening with Lucia, don’t pass it up. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to recommend her to any of my friends—from professional chefs to home cooks.
- Lisa B November 01, 2018
Our family of four had a hands on cooking class with Lucia. We learned a lot about the food and preparation. More importantly we learned a great deal about Mexican culture and history. I would definitely visit with Lucia and her family again if we return to Mexico.
- jodibochenek September 18, 2018
My husband and I had the pleasure of doing the market tour and in home cooking lesson with Lucia, and it was a true highlight of our trip to Mexico City. We met Lucia at the San Juan market and learned so much about the produce and spices available - we were the only tourists and felt like we really got the authentic market experience. We picked up a few goodies and headed back to Lucia's beautiful home - it was full of light and the kitchen was huge! Spending a few hours cooking with Lucia was so fun - we had so many tastings of different items, that by the time we sat down for our meal, we were already full! For our meal we made some tacos to start, and tortilla soup, meatballs in a chipotle sauce, a sweet guava dessert, and margaritas and it was all so delicious and comforting. Sitting down and chatting with Lucia at the end was the true highlight - we really bonded over some shared life experiences and made a new friend. Lucia also helped us with restaurant recommendations and activities for the remainder of our trip!If you're lucky enough to have the opportunity to book this experience with Lucia, please don't pass it up. Your bellies will be full, and you hearts will be fuller.
- Jess G September 13, 2018
Our family had a fantastic time cooking with Lucia in her lovely home. She accommodated our request for GF recipes (our daughter has celiac disease) and to learn how to cook with mole sauce! She is informative and friendly, speaks english beautifully, and the evening passed with a relaxed pace and opportunities to learn about Mexican cooking and culture. We were also lucky enough to meet some of her family members and to play with her dogs! I would recommend this to families with adventurous eaters interested in exploring a less touristy neighborhood with older kids (ours are 17 & 20). Bravo!
- Colleen W September 11, 2018
My friends and I had a wonderful afternoon of cooking, tasting ingredients new to our palettes, and learning about the history of Mexico from our wonderful chef and Mexican historian Lucia. Her home was beautiful and inviting, with the most gorgeous view, and her dogs were so handsome. The menu was well planned, prepped for, and executed (at least Lucia's was was well executed! LOL) - and the food was absolutely, hands-down delicious. Lucia was hospitable, down-to-earth, and willing to go with the flow - my friend ended up showing her how to make fried chicken that maintains a crunchy coating! Spending time with real people in their home, cooking authentic dishes, eating great food and learning is one of the BEST ways to really get to know any culture. Lucia (and her wonderful sister) and the afternoon of cooking and food we shared will be a highlight of my Mexico City trip for sure.
- akabuttons September 02, 2018
My friends and I spent the afternoon with Lucia, and had a blast. Not only was the food delicious we got to work with ingredients that we had never heard of before, and learn completely new techniques. The class is held at Lucia’s house, which offered a very intimate and personalized experience. We made tortillas and sopas Deon scratch, which were turned into a delectable appetizer of quesadilla and chicarron sopes. Our main entree was Chile’s en nogada! It was unbelievably delicious. Lucia was also a wealth of knowledge about The history of Mexico and its cuisine. I highly recommend this class! We had a wonderful time!
- Eula T September 01, 2018
Lucia treated our group of four to a truly rewarding culinary experience! She put a great deal of forethought into planning our menu, emailing back and forth to make certain we would learn something new and interesting. Our market tour was illuminating and FUN, as was cooking in her beautiful home. We learned so much about Mexican cuisine and culture. The atmosphere was relaxed, yet organized, and Lucia emanated warmth and kindness. We made a real connection! Definitely a highlight of our trip to Mexico City and an experience I will not soon forget.
- Alexandra C August 25, 2018
An afternoon with Lucia is a great way to carve out an intimate experience in such a large populated city. We had been to a market beforehand and had so many questions as to what things were so we brought all our questions for Lucia. Lucia will walk you through the tastes, history and use of native Mexican food/ingredients. Returning to her beautiful home, you get a hands-on lesson making a 3-course meal and a possibly a few extras ;). Lucia (and her housekeeper) are such warm people; a lesson from them is like having your own mother passing down a family recipe. Lucia has impeccable English so can easily share her knowledge and expertise. Once our meal was made we all sat down in the dining room to enjoy our meal together and had a chance to get to know one another. Many thanks Lucia!Tip: don't plan a tightly scheduled day as your lesson may run a bit over...like any good dinner party!
- YVRFoodie12 August 24, 2018
Lucia was a simply wonderful host. She showed us the ins and outs of the Mercado San Angel, introducing us to both vendors and new flavors. After welcoming us into her home, we prepared a delicious meal together under Lucia's instruction. Along the way, she explained the role of different ingredients and dishes in Mexican culinary history, from Catholic convents to prehispanic agriculture. Even more than the delicious meal, we enjoyed the chance to learn about Mexican food and culture from a local, especially one as warm and knowledgeable as Lucia.In short, this was the highlight of our weeklong stay in Mexico City. I can't recommend it enough.
- rwtrevor August 07, 2018
My daughter and I had a wonderful night with Lucia in her lovely home. She walked us through some delicious recipes and we enjoyed dinner and conversation. She sent us the recipes shortly afterwards. We very much enjoyed ourselves, made some delicious food and had a great time. Thank you!
- dissector July 22, 2018
As an industry professional, I was looking on Traveling Spoon for a historian of Mexican cuisine and the variables from region to region. Lucia was an exemplary wealth of knowledge about the history of Mexico city, as a native of the San Angel neighborhood, Lucia is a chef working in Mexico and exemplifying Mexican cuisine internationally. She took myself and my two friends, to the Mercado Melchior Muzquiz, answering all of our eager questions and teaching us about the market culture she had grown up and sharing our excitement to try the regional ingredients Mexico has to offer. I very much appreciated Lucia's translations in purchasing and conversing about regional legumes, specially some heritage ones I was seeking. We learned that guava, purslane, among other vegetables, were in season at that moment.For our actual cooking lesson, Lucia invited us over to her beautiful house and taught us how to make many variations on a theme--mole, tacos, chili rellenos-- and planned a fantastic three course meal for us. She shared the cookbooks she had about regional plants and vegetables (we cooked cuitlacoche, corn fungus, a tender fennel like front that tasted of asparagus, vegetarian mole) and taught us the extensive genre of chili rellenos. For our appetizer we prepared cuitlacoche and salsa verde tacos as well as mole with local grass, nopales and potato. For our main course, we prepared a duo of chili rellenos--an ancho chili, rehydrated in cane syrup, stuffed with refried black beans and chorizo and a charred poblano chili stuffed with Queso Chihuahua and corn, slowly fried in an aerated egg batter, rice (!!! the star), and guava gel with cheese.It is clear that Lucia has a voracious passion and drive for cooking, learning, and sharing. We had an unforgettable time learning from her and her sous, a charming older woman who compared arms with me and found all the same burn marks. I learned so much from the day spent with Lucia and gained a deeper understanding of Mexican cuisine and language surrounding cooking, before, and after the Spaniards. Lucia will tailor your experience to your interests, may it be fish or vegan cooking, and thoughtfully prepare a menu accordingly. Do not hesitate to book an experience with Lucia; if you are a novice, or a professional. Her enthusiasm is infectious and inspiring and you will come away from this day inspired from the market, the food, and stimulating conversation. We love Martina and Rita, thank you so much, again, Lucia!!
- Felicia W May 31, 2018
My friends and I wanted a different adventure while visiting Mexico City. We found traveling spoon and decided to take part in a cooking experience with Lucia de la Barra. I would recommend this to everyone!! We met her at the market and she gave us a mini lesson I different fruits and vegetables native to Mexico. We even sat down for a light snack! We then went to her beautiful home tucked away in this pretty neighborhood to begin cooking. We each got a role and helped each other and made an amazing meal! We made fresh margaritas (the best I’ve ever had). We ended up chatting with her family for hours and enjoyed a nice relaxing afternoon. If you come to Mexico City and want something different I highly recommend cooking with Lucia de la barra!!
- tmcneill916 May 28, 2018
This class was a birthday gift for my mom, and Lucia really made it a special and memorable experience. We tried lots of interesting fruits and spices at the market, then cooked several delicious recipes at her beautiful home. I especially liked that she chose recipes that I will be able to replicate back home in the US - the ingredients were not so specialized that they would be hard to find, and the preparation was complicated enough to be fun, but not so difficult that I couldn't do it on my own.
- Kathryn N April 24, 2018
The cooking lesson with Lucia was a highlight of our trip! The meal was delicious - we're eagerly waiting recipes via email to try at home. Lucia welcomed us into her beautiful home like old friends. As we worked, she demonstrated and explained steps and techniques. We appreciate that Lucia was well organized: she sent the menu before we arrived; considered a food allergy; included requested Lime Soup on menu. Lucia included many delicious special touches: Margaritas from recipe she enjoys and recently received; ant eggs tostada; vegan mole taco; great green salsa; delicious guacamole; corn cake with rompope sauce. Lucia's kitchen was well-designed/laid out. The set-up allowed for us to easily watch, listen, and participate.
- waltsimms April 23, 2018
The cooking lesson with Lucia was a highlight of our trip! The meal was delicious - we’re eagerly waiting recipes via email to try at home. Lucia welcomed us into her beautiful home like old friends. As we worked, she demonstrated and explained steps and techniques. We appreciate that Lucia was well organized: she sent the menu before we arrived; considered a food allergy; included requested Lime Soup on menu. Lucia included many delicious special touches: Margaritas from recipe she enjoys and recently received; ant eggs tostada; vegan mole taco; great green salsa; delicious guacamole; corn cake with rompope sauce. Lucia’s kitchen was well-designed/laid out. The set-up allowed for us to easily watch, listen, and participate.
- waltsimms April 17, 2018
For any traveller to Mexico City – make the time to do this – you will not regret it!! Lucia is a most pleasant and relaxed host coupled with an extensive knowledge of Mexican cooking, culture and history. We had a great time in her local market investigating, tasting and engaging with the local sellers. Returning to Lucia’s most beautiful home accompanied by an insightful “audio” tour of her neighbourhood. You certainly get a complete all-round experience and the opportunity to find out what makes Mexico City tick. The cooking experience is very engaging – and you can be as involved as you care to be so no pressure to demonstrate your own skills or knowledge – Lucia is very accommodating and keen to share her own passion and knowledge of the flavoursome and authentic food she prepares and best of all, you get to eat it. It was just so satisfying in all respects and a massive thank you Lucia! Tony & Katie - Mar 2018 (London UK).
- tonyroberts99 April 09, 2018
For any traveller to Mexico City – make the time to do this – you will not regret it!! Lucia is a most pleasant and relaxed host coupled with an extensive knowledge of Mexican cooking, culture and history. We had a great time in her local market investigating, tasting and engaging with the local sellers. Returning to Lucia’s most beautiful home accompanied by an insightful “audio” tour of her neighbourhood. You certainly get a complete all-round experience and the opportunity to find out what makes Mexico City tick. The cooking experience is very engaging – and you can be as involved as you care to be so no pressure to demonstrate your own skills or knowledge – Lucia is very accommodating and keen to share her own passion and knowledge of the flavoursome and authentic food she prepares and best of all, you get to eat. It was just so satisfying in all respects and a massive thank you Lucia! Tony & Katie - Mar 2018 (London UK).
- tonyroberts99 April 09, 2018
We booked a traveling spoon activity with Lucia de la Barra in Mexico City. She was extremely knowledgeable in cuisine, professional and so fun and friendly! It truly felt like cooking with family, if your family happened to be a world renowned chef! We made meatballs, tortilla soup, guacamole and acho sauce. She also was so sweet and let us try some of the other food she's prepared for her catering business. 11/10 would recommend and do again! We've already recommended her to our friends. Not to mention, she has the sweetest dogs and sous chef! It was such a joy to experience Mexico through her eyes! She has such a passion for the place, food and culture.
- Desiree' H February 19, 2018
Lucía made me feel right at home. She seemed invested in me tasting and learning how to make many different Mexican dishes. Cooking in her big kitchen was such a relaxing break from the city and the tourist grind. She taught me history through the food we made and she was lovely to get to know. I liked learning about her life and she was interested in learning from me too. She even gave me a ride to Diego Rivera’s museum nearby! A very sweet day.
- sstern429 February 19, 2018
11/10 would recommend Lucia de la Barra! She is sweet, kind, generous and very very talented. We were late on arriving but she didn't pressure us or rush the cooking along. She truly went out of her way to ensure that Tucker and I had a wonderful experience and got to try a vast number of her specialities, from the snacks to the tequila to the homemade granola she whips out! Not to mention the actual meal itself! It was flavorful and bold and just wonderful to get to meet and share an experience with someone who has a lot of passion for what they do !
- Desiree and Tucker February 19, 2018
Lucia is wonderful and, honestly, I think the cooking class in her home was the highlight of our trip to Mexico City. She has a beautiful home with an amazing garden (where we picked herbs to use in our meal and lime leaves to make tea). she's so knowledgeable about Mexican culture, cuisine, and history - and is a great teacher. I'm vegetarian and she was fantastic about accommodating - we did both meat and veg dishes (and learned even more!). We also met her family which was really nice - we were able to chat, get to know them, and really begin to understand the culture of the place. I couldn't recommend her class more highly. Lucia - we hope to see you again soon! x
- Allison October 17, 2017
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $60 $48
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $104 $104
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $120 $120
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ people
In-Home Meal
Not offered $60 $48
Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $104 $104
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
Not offered $120 $120
Alcohol
$10 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
1:00pm-3:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
10:00am-2:00pm 2:30pm-6:30pm
Market Tour+ Cooking Experience + Meal
10:00am-3:00pm 2:00pm-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 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.