(Options: Day Cooking Classes, Weekend Courses)
Tepoztlan, Mexico - 4 or 7 nights
Available year round

Chef Ana Garcia is your host and chief instructor throughout the week. Chef Garcia, a native of Cuernavaca, learned the art of Mexican cuisine from traditional family methods passed down from generation to generation. With her traditional experience Chef Ana likes to expand upon that base by using traditional Mexican ingredients in new and interesting gourmet combinations. She is currently the head chef and owner of "La Mesa de Ana", a restaurant located on the grounds of La Villa Bonita which showcases Chef Garcia's incredible cuisine.

La Villa Bonita program is a combination of hands-on instruction and informative culinary and cultural field trips in and around Tepoztlan and Cuernavaca. The week-long package runs from Sunday to the following Sunday and the 4-day package dates run from Sunday to Thursday. The culinary program is geared to give students a full working knowledge of how to prepare traditional and nouvelle Mexican dishes, salsas and condiments, and drinks from the simple to the complicated.

Field trips include excursions to the Mercado (the market) for instruction on how to select the best fresh Mexican ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and meats.  Students learn alongside native residents in making their time-tested, traditional recipes, as well as explore the nuances of the Mexican Nouvelle Cuisine with Chef Ana.

Other field trips from which our guests can choose include visits to villages in the state of Morelos to experience Mexican life and tradition in the small town environment.  During Mexican holidays, the program includes traditional seasonal dishes pertinent to the particular holiday. All classes are in English and/or Spanish depending on the preferences of our students. Chef Garcia also speaks French.

La Villa Bonita School of Mexican Cuisine is located in a beautiful 6 bedroom house on the upsweep of the Tepozteco mountains, within walking distance from the path to the Tepozteco pyramid and the major restaurant section of Tepoztlan and also 20 minutes from Cuernavaca. Rooms open to a central courtyard through French doors with a view of the Tepozteco mountains on all sides.

In your free moments you may enjoy the beautiful garden, the pool, the orchard and lily pools, the spacious traditional kitchen, or simply relax in your room complete with traditional Mexican decoration and private bathroom and shower.

Come to Mexico and have the experience of a lifetime while learning the art of Mexican cuisine from a true native!

ITINERARY

Important!! This schedule is posted to give the guest a general idea of the schedule on a normal week. The schedule may change to take advantage of season dishes, ingredients or the interests of our guests. We reserve the right to modify this schedule and the dishes contained therein. Upon arrival guests will receive their schedule for the week.

*Four night program runs Sunday to Thursday

Day One - Sunday

2:00-4:00 Airport Pickup in Mexico City and transport to the villa

4:00-6:00 Get accommodated and relax!

6:00-8:00 Complimentary cocktail reception and appetizers in Chef Ana’s restaurant, La Mesa de Ana (terrace above the kitchen). Optional dinner in La Mesa de Ana (not included). If you are interested in having dinner at La Mesa de Ana throughout the week, reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. All ingredients are purchased the day of your reservation as well slow food techniques are utilized to insure the freshest fine dining experience. A different 4 course menu will be offered daily.

Day Two - Monday

6:45 Quick Coffee before departure

7:00-9:00 Excursion to wholesale market in Cuernavaca (Lopez Mateos) for selection of ingredients

9:30-10:30 Breakfast

10:30-2:00 Introduction to Chiles, Salsas, and How to Cure a Molcajete, Tortillas, Quesadillas with Squash Blossoms, Huitlacoche, Pork Skins (Cracklin) en Green Salsa, Potatoes and Chile Poblano Strips and Guayabas in Syrup for dessert with Chef Garcia

2:00-3:30 Lunch in the Garden

3:30-Time on your own, read, relax, take a walk into town.

Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Three - Tuesday

8:30-9:30 Breakfast

10:00-2:00 Mole Colorado with Chicken, Pork in Pipian sauce (Mole Verde), Refried Beans, Red Rice with Vegetables, and Flan with Chef Garcia

2:00-3:30 Lunch in the Garden

3:30-6:30 Trip to Gellman Museum (Muros) in Cuernavaca

Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Four - Wednesday

8:30-9:00 Breakfast

9:30-10:30 Excursion to Tepoztlan Market for general selection of ingredients

11:00-2:30 Huanzontles, Chiles Rellenos or Chiles en Nogada (seasonal), White Rice, Seasoned Beans (de la Olla), and Natilla

2:30-3:30 Lunch in the Garden

3:30-7:00 Time on your own

7:00-8:00 Tequila Tasting in La Mesa de Ana; Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Five - Thursday

8:30-9:00 Breakfast

9:00-5:00 Excursion to Taxco (Silver City) and the pyramids of Xochicalco with Historian Arturo Marquez

Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Six - Friday

8:30-9:30 Breakfast

10:00-2:00 Chicken tamales, squash with corn, cheese, pork tamales, dessert tamales with pineapple

2:00-3:30 Lunch in the Garden

3:30-5:30 Hike up to the Tepozteco Pyramid (athletic)

11:00-? Optional night out for Live Music and Salsa Dancing at “El Telon”

Day Seven - Saturday

8:30-9:30 Breakfast

9:30-5:00 Tepoz Relax Day. Explore the weekend artisans market, shop, see the convent, enjoy lunch on the town, hike the Tepozteco pyramid or just enjoy a book at the pool.

Free evening and dinner on your own.

Day Eight - Sunday

8:30-9:30 Breakfast

9:30- Transportation to the Mexico City airport

HOW TO ARRIVE

The school is located just over an hour from the Mexico City airport and 20 minutes from Cuernavaca 

*When making your airline reservations, please keep in mind that 2pm is the optimal time to arrive and depart from Mexico City Airport. If arriving very early or very late there will be an additional fee to arrange for airport transfer

*These details are provided as additional information. Please check below to see if transfers are included in this tour.

BOOKING INFORMATION

For further inquiries or to register, click here.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

CLIENT REMARKS

Furnished upon request.

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MAP*

This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE. 

*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.

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