Oaxaca: Traditional Cooking Class with Mezcal & Brunch

Summary

Hands-on Oaxaca cooking class wood stove mezcal tasting brunch

You’ll roll up your sleeves beside Oaxacan cocineras, learning old recipes over a wood-fired stove and tasting mezcal as laughter fills the kitchen. Expect hands-on tortilla making, a hearty brunch you cook yourself, and stories shared over every bite—leaving you with more than just recipes.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the scent — smoky, earthy, a little sweet from the wood burning in the Lorena stove. You don’t really expect to feel at home somewhere new, but stepping into Quinta Brava for this traditional Oaxaca cooking class, it was like being adopted by a kitchen full of tias. Our guide, Marisol, handed me a ball of masa before I could even say “buenos días,” grinning as she showed me how to pat it out for tortillas. My hands were clumsy at first (they still laugh about my first lopsided memela), but nobody minded. It felt like family here.

We cooked everything ourselves — no standing around watching someone else do the fun stuff. The cocineras moved between us, quick to help but never hovering. When I tried to pronounce “quesillo,” Li burst out laughing and corrected me gently (I still can’t quite get it right). The sun came through the windows in stripes across our worktable while we filled tetelas with squash blossoms and cheese. There’s something about making food from scratch, especially with people who’ve been doing it their whole lives — you pick up little tricks without even realizing.

I didn’t expect the mezcal tasting to hit me so hard — not just in flavor, but in how everyone loosened up after that first sip. We swapped stories about our own family recipes back home; one of the cocineras told us how her grandmother used to grind corn before sunrise every day. By the time we sat down to eat what we’d made (four courses, somehow?), my hands smelled like roasted corn and smoke and I honestly didn’t want to leave that table. Still think about those empanadas sometimes, you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hands-on traditional Oaxacan cooking

• Arrive at Quinta Brava kitchen
• Learn about ancient Oaxacan cuisine
• Prepare handmade tortillas and snacks
• Cook soups and moles on wood stove
• Create your choice of dessert
• Enjoy your cooked dishes

Top questions

Is this Oaxaca cooking class hands-on?

Yes, you prepare all dishes yourself under guidance from local cocineras.

Are drinks included in the experience?

Yes, mezcal tasting and cold beers are included during your meal.

What kind of dishes will I learn to make?

You’ll make traditional Oaxacan dishes like tortillas, memelas, quesadillas, tetelas, soups or moles, plus dessert options.

Is there a vegetarian option available?

The menu includes plenty of vegetarian-friendly choices using fresh local ingredients.

How long does the class last?

The experience covers a full brunch with four courses; plan for several hours including eating together at the end.

Is transportation provided?

No hotel pickup is mentioned but public transportation is available nearby.

Are children or infants allowed?

Specialized infant seats are available; families are welcome.

Will I get recipes to take home?

Yes, traditional recipes are shared so you can recreate them later.

What’s included

Your day includes a warm welcome at Quinta Brava in Oaxaca City, all ingredients for preparing four courses by hand on a wood-fired stove alongside expert cocineras, mezcal tasting and cold beers during your meal, plus plenty of time for stories and laughter before heading out again—no need to bring anything except curiosity (and maybe an appetite).