Best Authentic Cooking Classes in Oaxaca with Market Tours

I’ve been traveling to Oaxaca since 2006, first as a tourist, then as a student researching culinary tourism, and later again and again for the food – taking more than 30 cooking classes over the years and still signing up whenever I return. This guide shares the most unforgettable, hands-on Oaxaca cooking classes that I return to and recommend most often.

Oaxaca is a food lover’s paradise and one of the best ways to experience it is through a hands-on cooking class. It’s one of my favorite ways to connect with the people, ingredients, and traditions that make Oaxaca one of the world’s great food destinations and one of my favorite places to visit.

Planning a trip to Oaxaca? Check out my blog post Where to Stay in Oaxaca: Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Apartments.

Cooking Classes in Oaxaca: The Best Authentic Culinary Experiences

From cocineras tradicionales, to the winner of Top Chef Mexico, this list of instructors and classes will help guide you in selecting a cooking class in Oaxaca that’s a fit for you.

Alma de Mi Tierra, Nora Valencia

Nora’s classes focus on authentic Oaxacan dishes, blending recipes from her grandmother with her own creations. What to expect:

• Local market tour and hands-on Oaxaca cooking class with 1-9 participants in Nora’s cozy home kitchen
• Four-course sit-down meal with class participants: salsa, appetizer, soup, main, fruit drink, dessert + mezcal tasting
• Highlight: I made the absolute best mole verde and tamales dulces in Nora’s class. Her small kitchen and dining room are absolutely beautiful, too.
• Price: $85 USD | Time: 4-5 hours, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 10AM | Language: English or Spanish

Casa Crespo, Oscar Carrizosa

Oscar’s classes connect the ancient heritage of local gastronomy with his contemporary spin. He likes working with local and organic ingredients, many of which he grows on his farm. What to expect:

• 4.5-hour Flavors of Oaxaca class starts with a tour of Sánchez Pascuas organic market, then you head back to prepare tortillas in three different styles, three different ancestral sauces, two appetizers, soup, mole, dessert and a traditional drink that you enjoy with class participants
• Highlight: Oscar offers a variety of class options, ranging from 1.5-hour focused workshops to 4.5-hour classes where you learn to make a variety of dishes so there’s something for everyone, even if you’re on a time crunch.
• Price: $1,350 MXN | Time: 4.5 hours Tuesday – Sunday at 10AM | Language: English / Spanish

Casa de los Sabores, Pilar Cabrera

Led by chef and La Olla restaurant owner Pilar Cabrera, classes are a hands-on exploration of local ingredients, traditional tools, and family recipes. What to expect:

• Shared and private classes include an explanation of the ingredients, a tour to the local market, hand-made meal preparation, mezcal tasting and, of course, the five course meal you prepared which you get to enjoy at the end of the class.
• Highlight: Pilar studied Food Science and Nutrition so her market tour and classes are very informative.
• Price: $1,800 MXN | Time: 4-5 hours Mondays and Wednesdays | Language: English / Spanish

Origen Restaurant, Chef Rodolfo Castellanos

It’s not every day you have the unique opportunity to cook alongside the winner of Top Chef Mexico! Classes aren’t advertised, but you can inquire about them at Origen restaurant. This was one of the most comprehensive classes I’ve ever taken. What to expect:

• Local market tour for ingredients and a light breakfast
• Menu focuses on modern interpretations of classic Oaxacan dishes Chef Rodolfo learned from the traditional cooks in his family
• Classes are not regularly advertised and typically arranged through Origen restaurant, private or custom inquiries, or specialized culinary tour operators
• Highlight: Eating the tastiest memelitas during our market tour and learning to make some of the best food ever from the winner of Top Chef Mexico!
• Price: ~$100USD | Time: ~8 hours (classes available upon request)

El Sabor Zapoteco, Reyna Mendoza

Reyna’s classes focus on traditional Zapotec dishes and culture, with roundtrip transportation from hotels in Oaxaca City to Teotitlán del Valle and classes taught by a cocinera traditional . What to expect:

• Group class with 4 – 12 participants
• Hot chocolate & sweet bread upon arrival
• Local market tour + hands-on outdoor cooking in traditional kitchen
• Group meal with appetizers, entrees, dessert, drinks, and mezcal / beer
• Highlight: The market tour is unique in that all of the vendors are women. You’ll also be cooking outdoors in a traditional Zapotec kitchen using a wood burning stove, metate, and molcajete. I love taking this class when traveling with my children because they can also participate or you can inquire about paying for on-sight childcare while you cook.
• Price: $95 USD | Time: 6.5 hours Tue & Fri at 8:30AM (or on request)

Sabores de Soledad, Soledad Ramirez Haras

Soledad’s classes take place in her home kitchen and are tailored to your requests (or pre-set menus). What to expect:

• Market visit to buy ingredients
• Hot chocolate made with her homemade chocolate
• Hands-on class where participants make 1–2 main entrees
• Highlight: Learning from a cocinera traditional where we made chocolate tablets, caldo de gallina (I had never tasted this before taking Soledad’s class), and Oaxacan chiles rellenos that were delicious!
• Price: ~$40 / 500 MXN | Time: 4 hours | Language: Spanish

Seasons of My Heart Cooking School, Kaelin Ulrich Trilling

Formerly led by Chef Susana Trilling, her son, Chef Kaelin Ulrich Trilling now guides students through a full-day immersion into Oaxaca’s vibrant cuisine. What to expect:

• Tour of the Central de Abastos Market in Oaxaca City with the opportunity to try all the flavors of tamales, barbacoa and the iconic beverage of the gods tejate.
• Roundtrip transportation from downtown Oaxaca to Seasons of My Heart Cooking School in Rancho Aurora in Etla
• Hands-on experience of preparing dishes step by step, learning techniques and tasting along the way.
• Highlight: Food tasting in the market is wonderful, as is cooking in the extremely large indoor and outdoor kitchens that accommodate large groups.
• Price: $130 USD | Time: 7 hours Wednesdays at 9AM – 4PM | Language: English / Spanish

Tips for Booking Cooking Classes in Oaxaca

• Book in advance, especially during high season – I usually do this via email or in the case of Origen, I typically stop by the restaurant when I’m in town or call in advance
• Confirm language options, some are in both English and Spanish while others are are offered in one or the other
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes because you’ll be walking through a market and on your feet for most of the day
• Bring a reusable water bottle – I’m always thirsty on market tours and during class

LOOKING FOR MORE INSPIRATION?

• Ultimate Oaxaca Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Shop, and Visit
• Where to Stay in Oaxaca: Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Apartments
• Oaxaca Weather: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers
• Oaxaca Markets: Tlacolula, A Feast for the Senses
• Top 3 Oaxaca Markets Every Food Lover Should Visit
• Queso Oaxaca (Oaxaca Cheese): A Delectable Guide
• Cooking Classes in Mexico City
• 10 Common Questions I Get When Traveling to Mexico with My Kids

This blog post was originally published on October 9, 2015 and updated on January 14, 2026.