Certification in Mexican Gastronomy

The Flavors of Cancún
Exploring Markets, Street Food, and Seafood Secrets

Today’s focus is on building your taste memory – a fundamental part of becoming a great chef. We will explore as many flavors as possible, allowing you to store them for future culinary creations.

We begin with a traditional Mexican breakfast at one of Cancún’s iconic eateries, where you’ll sample local favorites alongside an array of fresh salsas to awaken your palate. Next, we’ll head to Playa Delfines, where the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean provide a breathtaking backdrop. From there, we dive into Mercado 23, a vibrant market filled with fresh local ingredients and authentic street food. You’ll taste a variety of snacks, each one adding to your growing flavor repertoire.

For lunch, we’ll visit two of the best-kept seafood secrets in Cancún’s Hotel Zone. Here, you’ll taste ceviches, aguachiles, and other seafood delicacies that define the local culinary scene. The rest of the evening is yours to relax at the hotel, reflecting on the vibrant flavors you’ve experienced so far.

Nixtamal & Salsa Mastery at Mexico Lindo
Foundations for Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Today, we dive into two fundamental techniques of Mexican gastronomy: nixtamal (the process of transforming corn into masa for tortillas) and salsa-making – the foundation for countless dishes.

After breakfast, you’ll begin a hands-on workshop exploring nixtamalization, where you’ll learn to turn dried corn into masa and then craft traditional tortillas. Next, you’ll embark on a salsa journey, mastering the art of creating salsas through various techniques, such as roasting, charring, blending, and grinding in a molcajete. These salsas, including smoky red salsa, raw salsa verde, and roasted tomatillo salsa, will demonstrate how different techniques bring out unique flavors.

Both the tortillas and salsas you make today will serve as the base for the tacos and quesadillas you’ll master in the following days. After enjoying your creations, you’ll embark on a food tour in Puerto Morelos led by Chef Claudia, where you’ll experience the town’s best street food offerings.

The Ultimate Taco & Quesadilla Experience
Iconic Dishes, Expert Techniques

Today’s masterclass focuses on some of Mexico’s most beloved street foods: tacos and quesadillas. After breakfast, you’ll dive into the preparation of iconic tacos such as Pastor, Barbacoa, and Birria, alongside vegetarian specialties like huitlacoche and mushroom quesadillas. You’ll refine your grilling, marinating, and assembling techniques, ensuring that these beloved dishes turn out perfectly every time. After class, the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Journey to Yucatán – Ancient Cities & Smoky Flavors
History, Tradition, and Flavor

We begin a new chapter of the journey by exploring the ancient wonders of Yucatán. After breakfast, we’ll head to the historic colonial town of Valladolid, rich in Mayan heritage. From there, we visit Temozon, renowned for its traditional smoked meats. You’ll learn the artisanal process behind these flavors and enjoy a lunch steeped in local tradition. We end the day in Valladolid’s town square for craft beer tastings and a variety of street food delights that highlight the culinary creativity of the region.

A Day with Chef Rosalia Chay – Cochinita Pibil & Mayan Heritage
Masterclass with the Keeper of Mayan Culinary Traditions

Today, you’ll experience one of the most remarkable culinary adventures of the program – a full-day masterclass with Chef Rosalia Chay, the legendary keeper of Mayan culinary heritage. Featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, Chef Rosalia is dedicated to preserving the ancient techniques passed down through generations.

After a traditional breakfast, you’ll join Chef Rosalia as she guides you through the preparation of her famous Cochinita Pibil, a Mayan dish slow-cooked underground in a pib. As the Cochinita cooks, you’ll learn about the nixtamalization process, recados (traditional spice blends), and the art of Mayan tamales. You’ll also get the chance to cool off with a dip in a nearby cenote, a refreshing natural swimming hole that’s an iconic feature of the Yucatán Peninsula.

In the evening, we’ll head to La Casona de los Cedros in Espita, where renowned chef Jorge Ildefonso will prepare a fine dining experience that blends tradition with modern culinary artistry.

Traditional Yucatecan Flavors
Market Fresh & Cultural Immersion

We begin the day at a bustling local market, sourcing fresh ingredients for an authentic Yucatecan cooking class. Taste the region’s street food as we explore the local flavors, then return to our cooking space in Valladolid for a deep dive into Yucatán’s rich culinary traditions. After class, we’ll travel back to Puerto Morelos for a restful evening, topped off with dinner at one of the town’s top restaurants.

The Art of Mole & Adobo
Culinary Craftsmanship in Mexican Sauces

Today’s masterclass at Mexico Lindo delves into the world of mole and adobo – two of Mexico’s most intricate and flavorful sauces. You’ll learn the delicate balance of spices, dried chiles, and nuts that are the foundation of these complex sauces. After cooking and savoring your creations, you’ll have time to relax before heading to Playa del Carmen for a delicious beachside dinner.

Island Paradise – Isla Mujeres
Beach Day, Food, and Drinks

Take a well-deserved break from the kitchen with a relaxing day trip to Isla Mujeres, an island paradise off the coast of the Riviera Maya. After a scenic ferry ride, we’ll head to a beach club filled with delicious food and refreshing drinks. Spend the day lounging in the sun, savoring tropical dishes, and enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. In the evening, we’ll return to Puerto Morelos for a restful night.

Mexican Street Food Masterclass & Cancún Nightlife
Antojitos & Entertainment

Today’s focus is on Mexican street food (antojitos), with a hands-on masterclass where you’ll learn to create favorites such as sopes, gorditas, and flautas. These small yet flavorful bites will showcase the variety of techniques you’ve learned throughout the week. After a relaxing afternoon, we’ll experience Cancún’s vibrant nightlife with a dinner at one of its top restaurants, celebrating the flavors you’ve mastered.

Viva México! Seafood & Spirits
Farewell to a Flavorsome Adventure

On your final day, you’ll prepare and savor a seafood feast at Mexico Lindo, including ceviche, aguachile, Veracruz-style fish, and other iconic dishes that highlight the flavors of the Mexican coastline. Accompany this with an exclusive tequila and mezcal tasting, celebrating the rich diversity of Mexican spirits. In the evening, we’ll close the program with a farewell dinner at Le Chique, a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in molecular Mexican cuisine, offering an unforgettable fusion of tradition and innovation.

Your certification in Mexican Cuisine includes 45 ACF hours, all classes, tours and culinary activities, Lodging in Riviera Maya and Valladolid, all transportations in Private a/c Van, Culinary guide in english. Certificate, diploma, Mexican food manual with all recipes, personalized apron and a Mexican souvenir basquet.