Meet
Gabriela
Born and raised in Buenos Aires’s vibrant La Boca neighborhood, Gabriela comes from a family of Spanish immigrants who owned a beloved pasta shop selling ravioli, agnolotti, and other handmade pastas to local artists. Inspired by her grandparents’ passion for food and creativity, she learned the art of fresh pasta making and traditional Argentine cooking at an early age. After a long career in translation and education, Gabriela now shares her love of food and connection through her Buenos Aires cooking classes. Warm, friendly, and always eager to help travelers explore her city, she creates an unforgettable, authentic Argentine culinary experience filled with stories, flavor, and heart.
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:
(1-6 guests)
Join Gabriela in her welcoming Belgrano apartment for an authentic Argentine home dining experience. Begin with a refreshing spritz and local appetizers featuring artisanal cheeses, hummus, and chorizo. Then sit down to enjoy a traditional Argentine meal that reflects the season—perhaps a hearty locro (local stew) or comforting humita (steamed corn cakes)—followed by freshly made empanadas filled with chicken, beef, cheese, and vegetables. Finish on a sweet note with a classic Argentine dessert such as a warm dulce de leche pancake or homemade alfajores, served with tea or coffee. This intimate experience offers the perfect taste of Buenos Aires hospitality and authentic local flavors.
Cooking experience:
(2-6 guests)
Join Gabriela in her charming Belgrano apartment for a hands-on empanada cooking class in Buenos Aires. Begin your experience with a welcome glass of Argentine wine or beer and a picada—a traditional platter of cheeses, jams, and nuts—served on her spacious balcony, weather permitting. Then, learn to prepare authentic empanada fillings as Gabriela shares her family secrets for perfectly seasoned meat, vegetable, and cheese varieties. You’ll also see how to make homemade dough and use locally sourced dough to shape around 50 empanadas together. After cooking, sit down to enjoy your freshly baked empanadas with a crisp salad, followed by chocotorta, a beloved Argentine dessert made with chocolate biscuits and dulce de leche. This 3–4 hour experience enjoyed over local wine offers an authentic taste of Buenos Aires home cooking and warm local hospitality.
Market visit:
(2-5 guests)
Meet your host Gabriela at her home and stroll a few blocks to Mercado de Belgrano for your private Buenos Aires market tour. This vibrant indoor market is beloved by local chefs for its fresh produce, gourmet ingredients, and authentic neighborhood atmosphere. As you explore with Gabriela, meet her favorite vendors and discover regional Argentine specialties, from artisanal cheeses and homemade jams to locally sourced meats and fish. You’ll sample fresh products and purchase a few ingredients to use later in your Buenos Aires empanada cooking class. Enjoy sweet treats at the outdoor tables and immerse yourself in the flavors and culture of Argentina during this one-hour guided market experience.
Notes:
1. In Argentina, dinner is typically enjoyed quite late—around 10:00 PM. If you prefer an earlier start time, please let Gabriela know when making your reservation.
2. Gabriela’s apartment is located on the 7th floor of the building. There is a small, vintage elevator available to take you up.
3. For larger groups, Gabriela may be able to host your experience at a nearby apartment owned by a friend, which offers a bit more space. If you're interested in this option, please mention it during your booking.
4. The price of your empanada-making class includes alcohol, so you’re all set to enjoy a relaxed and festive experience.
Languages spoken:
Spanish, Portugese, English, Italian
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
We had such a wonderful time at the empanada cooking class! Our host was absolutely amazing—warm, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about teaching. She greeted us right outside her apartment with such enthusiasm that we felt welcome from the very start.
Even though we had no prior experience, she made us feel completely at ease and guided us through each step with patience and joy. The experience was hands-on, fun, and incredibly informative.
We got to enjoy our empanadas the authentic way on her beautiful balcony, which made it all the more special. We truly hope to stay in touch with her. If you’re considering this class, don’t hesitate—book it!
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Lee
May 15, 2025
I appreciated that Gabby reached out to us, as soon as we booked and we even met over Zoom. She was friendly and warm and willing to help with anything we needed. We had good directions to her home and she was waiting outside to meet us. We enjoyed our walk and visit to the market but we enjoyed the empanada class more. She prepared a snack for us, before we began and she had most of the ingredients prepped and ready for us to assemble. We learned different ways to fold the dough and how to tell what is inside, based on the fold. I think we made 3 or 4 different fillings. They were all tasty but unfortunately, we got talking and the last type was a bit burned. Our 2-3 hour experience turned into 6 hours and we left feeling like we were old friends.
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Audrey
January 11, 2024
I appreciated that Gabby reached out to us, as soon as we booked and we even met over Zoom. She was friendly and warm and willing to help with anything we needed. We had good directions to her home and she was waiting outside to meet us. We enjoyed our walk and visit to the market but we enjoyed the empanada class more. She prepared a snack for us, before we began and she had most of the ingredients prepped and ready for us to assemble. We learned different ways to fold the dough and how to tell what is inside, based on the fold. I think we made 3 or 4 different fillings. They were all tasty but unfortunately, we got talking and the last type was a bit burned. Our 2-3 hour experience turned into 6 hours and we left feeling like we were old friends.
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Audrey
January 11, 2024
We had a great time during our class learning how to make delicious empanadas. It was a very fun way for our family to get together virtually from different parts of the country and celebrate a birthday! Gabriela was terrific in leading us all through the cooking.
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Gab
July 06, 2021
I couldn’t have asked for better! I never leave reviews, but this is worthy of one! The dynamic duo, Gabriela and Patricia, made my boyfriend and I (traveling together) feel like part of their family. Not only did they make us feel beyond welcome, but they taught us how to make delicious empanadas in order to be able to make them for our friends and family back home! It was also my birthday the day prior to this experience and my boyfriend mentioned that to them, they in turn made me a delicious cake with candles on it to blow out and gave me the most precious pearl earrings as a gift. They went above and beyond my expectations when we signed up for this!
If you’re considering doing any sort of empanada cooking class while in BA, then look no further! You’ve found the best class there is! I highly suggest signing up for this amazing experience!
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Sightseer606994
January 16, 2021
Four of spent a wonderful evening with Gabriela and Patricia learning the tricks of making empanadas. We were greeted with a nice beverage and after some socialization, headed to the kitchen. Great fun! We must have been successful as we really enjoyed our resulting dinner....More
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Supernop
September 17, 2019
I am SO happy I found this class with Gabriela and her friend Patricia! My mom was visiting me in Buenos Aires and I was looking to book her some fun things to do during the day while I had to work. She was on her own and does not speak Spanish. Imagine my delight when I came across Gabriela's empanada experience! Normally the class is for at least two people, but she made an exception for my mom, and I was so grateful! My mom had a total blast and felt like she was with two friends all day. She really enjoyed the lesson and wants to try making them at home for our whole family. They even took her on a tour of the lovely Belgrano neighborhood afterwards. My mom has not stopped talking about her great day with Gabriela and Patricia. I highly recommend this experience. They are both lovely, kind ladies and the empanadas are delicious!
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cgarrison13
May 24, 2019
A Foodie's Delight. Gabi and Patricia were amazing hosts and great company. The class is fun and hands on with a great chance to understand more about Argentine food, wine and culture. As a frequent visitor to BA this was one of the best activities I have done and felt so relaxed and had such an enjoyable time I didn't want to leave. As a hospitality professional I can thoroughly recommend this activity.
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S6273LHdavidy
May 01, 2019
Gabi and Patricia were amazing hosts and great company. The class is fun and hands on with a great chance to understand more about Argentine food, wine and culture. As a frequent visitor to BA this was one of the best activities I have done and felt so relaxed and had such an enjoyable time I didn't want to leave. As a hospitality professional I can thoroughly recommend this activity.
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S6273LHdavidy
May 01, 2019
Our hostess and teacher, Gabriella, showed us how to cook several types of really tasty empanadas and how to form five (that’s what I remember - maybe it was more) shapes of shells with different dough folding and pinching techniques. The pumpkin and cheese were fantastic! The best thing is, it’s easy enough to do and we do them at home all the time now. This was one of the best evenings we had in Buenos Aries and definitely was a bargain at the price. She mentioned that she can teach other classic Argentine foods as well and we will surely call her when we are back. Not to be missed!
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Jon A
April 01, 2019
I never leave reviews, but this is worthy of one! The dynamic duo, Gabriela and Patricia, made my boyfriend and I (traveling together) feel like part of their family. Not only did they make us feel beyond welcome, but they taught us how to make delicious empanadas in order to be able to make them for our friends and family back home! It was also my birthday the day prior to this experience and my boyfriend mentioned that to them, they in turn made me a delicious cake with candles on it to blow out and gave me the most precious pearl earrings as a gift. They went above and beyond my expectations when we signed up for this!
If you’re considering doing any sort of empanada cooking class while in BA, then look no further! You’ve found the best class there is! I highly suggest signing up for this amazing experience!
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Sightseer606994
January 16, 2019
Tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Gabriela y su socia Patricia por otra actividad de negocios, ambas excelentes profesionales en su rubro. Viví la experiencia de comer sus empanadas realmente excelentes, además conocen de vinos, de infusiones, reposteria y ademas lo combinan con sus experiencias en arte, viajes y fotografias son grandes anfitrionas.
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leoarcangeli
June 28, 2018
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