Tropical Abundance: Interactive Cooking Class in Bogota

Going through the produce market with our guide was very interesting. We tasted very exotic fruits which was wonderful. The problem was that we did not have time to really do much in depth cooking. The description of the tour showed more cooking dishes.

Diana and Paola are lovely sisters. My tour of the market was enjoyable. The class was at a small apartment of Diana. Totally not suitable for a cooking class. I expected a teaching facility. The choice of food was simple local cuisine. No beer or wine was offered. Would not recommend this class for $208. Value maybe $100 at best.

This was our favorite experience of our 10 days in Colombia! I don't know why there aren't more reviews yet, but don't let that stop you from making time in Bogota to cook, shop, and talk with Diana and Paulo. They are both enthusiastic, warm, experienced, talented young chefs--it's a treat to spend time with them. They gave us an amazing introduction to Colombian ingredients, which they prepare in ways both traditional and updated. First, they picked our group of 4 up with a driver and we went to a farmers market 7 de agosto. We tasted ALL the fruits, some juices, amazing arepas, cheese, coffee. Having them to lead us in the market allowed us to reap much more from the experience than being there on our own. We also bought ingredients for the lunch we were about to prepare. Then the driver took us all to Diana's home, which was generously sized with lots of light and a big, open kitchen perfect for cooking. Together, we prepared many dishes. I can't even remember how many, but we made a quinoa salad with so many different fruits and vegetables, lulada to drink, patacones, yuca bread with queso, avocado salad, hogoa tomato sauce, this amazing root vegetable roast with hogoa and cheese, fried pork, platanos maduros, pickled vegetables, and simmered fruit for dessert. Two of our group are vegetarian, so Diana and Paulo kindly crafted this produce-forward menu, while including the pork dish that our omnivore friends found delicious. We didn't have to participate more than we wanted to, but we all wanted to, so we peeled, chopped, grated, smashed, stirred, and fried. Due to good planning, we made an amazing table full of diverse foods at a leisurely pace, while chatting, without taking all day. Then we sat down and enjoyed the wonderful food together, talking about food, agriculture, politics and peace, social life, etc. After lunch, the driver took us on to our next destination. We were gone from 10a until 2:30/3p I can't recall exactly. Also, Diana and Paulo are both quite connected in the local food scene, so they gave us great restaurant recommendations and explanations of the restaurant dynamics in Bogota. Such warm, authentic hospitality and interest in all things food! This is a high value experience well worth the price. I strongly recommend it to anyone travelling in Bogota.