Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco

Discovering the vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine is an immersive experience in Cusco. Visitors can embark on a 4-hour culinary adventure, exploring the local market and preparing signature dishes under the guidance of a knowledgeable chef. From ceviche to lucuma gnocchi, this class promises a delightful blend of hands-on cooking and cultural insights. With dietary accommodations available, it’s an opportunity to savor the essence of Peruvian gastronomy. What culinary secrets will be unveiled in this unique culinary adventure?

Key Points

1. Immersive 4-hour experience that combines a guided tour of Mercado San Pedro and hands-on cooking class to learn traditional Peruvian cuisine.

2. Exploration of diverse Peruvian produce, including hundreds of potato varieties, dozens of corn cultivars, and ancient grains like quinoa and kiwicha.

3. Preparation of a multi-course meal featuring signature Peruvian dishes like ceviche trio, mashua cream, stuffed chili pepper, and lucuma gnocchi.

4. Cultural insights provided by the chef to enhance appreciation of the dish origins and traditional cooking methods.

5. Comprehensive package that includes all meals, beverages, and transportation, with dietary options available to accommodate specific requirements.

Activity Overview

The Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco offers an immersive 4-hour experience that allows participants to explore a local market and learn the art of traditional Peruvian cuisine.

Travelers meet at the central Mercado San Pedro, where they’ll tour the vendors and learn about endemic produce used in Peruvian dishes.

Travelers explore Cusco’s bustling Mercado San Pedro, learning about the endemic produce central to traditional Peruvian cuisine.

The class then moves to a cooking studio to prepare a multi-course meal, including a ceviche trio, mashua cream with crispy alpaca, and lucuma gnocchi.

Throughout, the English/Spanish-speaking chef shares cultural insights, and participants get hands-on experience crafting the regional specialties.

The experience ends back at the market.

Exploring the Local Market

After exploring the overview of the cooking class experience, participants begin their market exploration at the Mercado Central de San Pedro.

The focus is on understanding traditional Peruvian produce, from endemic varieties of potatoes and corn to other ingredients commonly used in the country’s cuisine.

Travelers tour the vendors, learning about market life while using cash to make recommended purchases.

This hands-on experience provides cultural insights, allowing participants to better appreciate the origins of the dishes they’ll prepare during the cooking class.

The market exploration lays the groundwork for the upcoming culinary adventure.

Discovering Peruvian Produce

As participants explore the vibrant Mercado Central de San Pedro, they discover the diverse array of Peruvian produce that forms the foundation of the country’s rich culinary heritage.

From the endemic varieties of potatoes and corn to the unique tubers and ancient grains, the market offers a glimpse into the agricultural wealth of Peru.

Among the highlights:

1. Hundreds of potato varieties, each with its distinct flavor and texture.

2. Dozens of corn cultivars, including the iconic purple maize used in Chicha Morada.

3. Exotic tubers like mashua and oca, prized for their versatility in Peruvian dishes.

4. Ancient grains like quinoa and kiwicha, nutritional powerhouses integral to traditional cuisine.

Ceviche Trio: Classic, Ancestral, and High Vibration

Although the cooking class covers a variety of Peruvian dishes, the ceviche trio stands out as a highlight. The classic ceviche showcases the freshness of the seafood, while the ancestral version incorporates the unique flavor of tumbo fruit.

The high vibration ceviche, made with kushuro, offers a distinct and delicate taste. Participants learn the intricate preparation techniques, from marinating the fish to balancing the citrus and spices.

These three takes on the iconic Peruvian dish provide a delightful sensory experience, allowing guests to explore the nuances of traditional and innovative ceviche recipes.

Mashua Cream With Crispy Accents

The mashua cream with crispy purple corn and crispy alpaca is a standout main course in the cooking class.

This dish exemplifies the vibrant and diverse flavors of Peruvian cuisine. A few key aspects that make this course so special:

1. Mashua, a starchy Andean tuber, provides a creamy base to the dish.

2. Crispy purple corn adds a satisfying crunch and visual appeal.

3. Crispy alpaca meat offers a unique protein source, highlighting Peruvian culinary traditions.

4. The interplay of textures and flavors creates a harmonious and memorable dining experience.

Stuffed Chili Pepper and Native Potato Cake

Another standout dish in the cooking class is the high vibration stuffed chili pepper with salad and native potato cake.

The chef expertly stuffs a vibrant chili pepper with a flavorful filling, then serves it alongside a fresh salad and a hearty native potato cake.

The presentation is visually stunning, with the contrasting colors and textures creating an appetizing plate.

The contrasting colors and textures of the dish create a visually stunning and appetizing presentation.

Participants get to assemble and prepare this dish themselves, learning techniques for stuffing peppers and crafting the potato cake.

It’s a delightful main course that showcases the richness of Peruvian cuisine.

Lucuma Gnocchi and Peruvian Fruit Delight

Ending the cooking class on a sweet note, participants prepare lucuma gnocchi served with a creamy custard apple ice cream and a colorful medley of Peruvian fruits.

The lucuma, a subtly sweet subtropical fruit, lends its distinctive flavor to the light and pillowy gnocchi. The custard apple ice cream, made from the velvety, tropical custard apple, provides a cooling contrast.

Accompanied by a mix of Peruvian fruits, such as granadilla, pitaya, and cherimoya, the dessert showcases the diversity of the country’s produce. This delightful finale leaves participants with a lasting impression of Peru’s vibrant culinary traditions.

The Peruvian fruit medley offers:

1. Unique flavors

2. Vibrant colors

3. Nutritional benefits

4. Cultural significance

Inclusions and Dietary Accommodations

As part of the Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market experience, the package includes a range of inclusions to provide participants with a comprehensive and immersive culinary journey.

This includes the cooking class itself, where guests will learn to prepare a menu of Peruvian specialties like ceviche, mashua cream, and lucuma gnocchi.

Plus, the experience features a guided exploration of the local market, allowing participants to discover traditional Peruvian produce.

Dietary options are available, and the chef can accommodate specific requirements.

With all meals, beverages, and transportation covered, this class offers a well-rounded taste of Peruvian cuisine and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring My Own Alcoholic Beverages to the Cooking Class?

The cooking class does not allow participants to bring their own alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase during the class, but outside drinks are not permitted. The class give you a fully-catered culinary experience.

Is It Possible to Purchase Additional Souvenirs From the Local Market?

Yes, participants can purchase additional souvenirs from the local market. The market tour provides an opportunity to explore and purchase traditional Peruvian produce, crafts, and other items beyond the included cooking class experience.

How Much Time Is Allocated for Exploring the Local Market?

The activity allocates an estimated 30-45 minutes for exploring the local market, allowing participants to tour the vendors, understand market life, and make optional purchases using cash. This market exploration is part of the overall 4-hour experience.

Do the Chefs Provide Printed Recipes for the Dishes Prepared?

The chefs provide participants with printed recipes for the dishes prepared during the cooking class. This allows travelers to recreate the Peruvian specialties at home and continue exploring the flavors they’ve learned.

Are There Any Safety or Security Precautions to Be Aware of During the Tour?

The tour organizers take safety precautions seriously. They advise participants to be mindful of their belongings in crowded market areas, follow the guide’s instructions, and exercise caution when handling cooking equipment during the hands-on cooking class.

The Sum Up

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of Peru through this unique cooking class and local market tour in Cusco. Explore the rich diversity of traditional produce, learn to prepare signature dishes like ceviche and lucuma gnocchi, and gain cultural insights from an expert chef. Dietary accommodations ensure a delightful culinary adventure for everyone.