Peruvian Cooking Experience
Peruvian Cooking Experience
4.5
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
"Hands On" activity where you prepare typical peruvian recipes while chatting and learning about this wonderful country. A great location, experienced instructors, and original recipes. Exellent photo oportunities. A souvenir you will repeat once back home with your beloveds. Open and confirmed daily except for Sunday. In English but enough Spanish for you to flavour it together with the food. The class takes place in Casa de Avila Hotel, where you get a discount if you also book acommodation. A visit to the market tour and a Pisco Sour Experience, are great compliments to book together with cooking. Of course, once prepared, you will enjoy the meal with the group exchanging travel experiences. Two hours of culture, joy, and fun. Three menus to select. Small groups (6 to 9) and confirmed daily. We are a family owned business proud of our cultural heritage and always willing to share it with our visitors. Let´s cook together in Arequipa and share good wishes for a best world
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
439 reviews
Excellent
342
Very good
73
Average
11
Poor
10
Terrible
3
Lea B
2 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We had so much fun cooking a typical peruvian seafood menu for 2 hours.
Our chef shared a lot of tips, the food was good (of course we cooked it 😄) and the people working there are really kind.
Not to mention the place which is very nice and quiet.
Definitely recommending this activity and worth the price!
Our chef shared a lot of tips, the food was good (of course we cooked it 😄) and the people working there are really kind.
Not to mention the place which is very nice and quiet.
Definitely recommending this activity and worth the price!
Written 24 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, the place is Casadeavila Hotel. Great accommodation in Arequipa with a garden of experiences. Peruvian Cooking is one. Book together with the cooking experience and you can get a discount coupon or a free Pisco Sour.
Hope you are ready to repeat the cultural activity back home. It would mean we did a great job teaching you! Thanks for taking the activity!
Written 6 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ramblingnowhere
Washington93 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
The class starts off with a tour of a local indoor market. This was nearly the highlight of the class. So interesting and the guide stops at many of the stalls and lets you know what they are selling. At the fruit we got to sample the unusual ones. Loved it.
Then back to the hotel where the cooking takes place at an outdoor patio. It is really hands on and you prepare 2 dishes. We did one cold and one hot. My group was great, with everyone from North America. Of course, what you prepare is your lunch. Afterwards we all also paid for the Pisco class, but in my opinion, that can be skipped unless you want a glass after lunch. You pretty much just make one but it is an expensive glass of alcohol and you can read online how to make one.
Then back to the hotel where the cooking takes place at an outdoor patio. It is really hands on and you prepare 2 dishes. We did one cold and one hot. My group was great, with everyone from North America. Of course, what you prepare is your lunch. Afterwards we all also paid for the Pisco class, but in my opinion, that can be skipped unless you want a glass after lunch. You pretty much just make one but it is an expensive glass of alcohol and you can read online how to make one.
Written 16 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunseeker-kelly
North Yorkshire, England212 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
As two travellers on a shoestring, we have previously skipped cooking courses on our travels as they've been too pricey. However after seeing the reviews for this and realising that it wasn't overly expensive, we decided to give Peruvian Cooking Experience a go. The cooking course itself cost 65 soles (about £13), with additional market tour and pisco lecture/making for 15 soles more each. We opted for the latter and the whole experience was excellent.
The experience began when the other arrived from the market at about 11.30am. The kitchen is set amongst beautiful grounds and on a nice day it was perfect. Lady, our chef, had heaps of enthusiasm and was very good at getting everyone engaged. We began by cooking causa rellena, a layered potato and chicken salad starter that was fun to make, and we did so as a group. Everyone was given something to do and it instantly warmed the group up. She showed us how to present our dish beautifully, and everyone was really pleased with the results. There was plenty of food to go around, with extras if you were still hungry at the end.
Next we made the lomo saltado. This was a relatively easy dish to make, so not a challenge, but it was fun to cook and we were each allowed to make our own. As one of Peru's most famous dishes, it was good to learn how to make it properly and it was delicious. Setting it on fire was fun! After the main Lady then brought us out a small but yummy quinoa dessert, so we were stuffed by the end!
Finally was the pisco lecture and the chance to make pisco sours. Our tutor, Natalia, was really good fun and got us dancing and joking, and we got to make two drinks each which was plenty. She taught us the history of pisco and was really interesting - it was a great way to finish the experience.
LIke I said, the dishes weren't especially challenging to make, and I suppose if you wanted you could just get a recipe yourself. However the experience was so much fun and so interactive, and for the overall price of what we ate it wouldn't have been much cheaper to have it all in a restaurant!! Great value and done with love, would thoroughly recommend whatever your budget.
The experience began when the other arrived from the market at about 11.30am. The kitchen is set amongst beautiful grounds and on a nice day it was perfect. Lady, our chef, had heaps of enthusiasm and was very good at getting everyone engaged. We began by cooking causa rellena, a layered potato and chicken salad starter that was fun to make, and we did so as a group. Everyone was given something to do and it instantly warmed the group up. She showed us how to present our dish beautifully, and everyone was really pleased with the results. There was plenty of food to go around, with extras if you were still hungry at the end.
Next we made the lomo saltado. This was a relatively easy dish to make, so not a challenge, but it was fun to cook and we were each allowed to make our own. As one of Peru's most famous dishes, it was good to learn how to make it properly and it was delicious. Setting it on fire was fun! After the main Lady then brought us out a small but yummy quinoa dessert, so we were stuffed by the end!
Finally was the pisco lecture and the chance to make pisco sours. Our tutor, Natalia, was really good fun and got us dancing and joking, and we got to make two drinks each which was plenty. She taught us the history of pisco and was really interesting - it was a great way to finish the experience.
LIke I said, the dishes weren't especially challenging to make, and I suppose if you wanted you could just get a recipe yourself. However the experience was so much fun and so interactive, and for the overall price of what we ate it wouldn't have been much cheaper to have it all in a restaurant!! Great value and done with love, would thoroughly recommend whatever your budget.
Written 27 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
connoj01
Hadleigh, UK26 contributions
Jan 2020
We made delicious food... restaurant style and taste.... an amazing afternoon and your own amazing food to eat at the end. Highly recommended.
Really value for money.
Really value for money.
Written 24 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherondie
Mokopane, South Africa119 contributions
I love cooking and included my travel partners who don’t really cook in the Arequipa / Casa de Avila / Peruvian cooking experience as we needed at least 4 people to be able to do it. They weren’t too keen but humoured me. But at the end of the day I don’t know which one of us enjoyed it more. I really enjoyed our host as he is a great story teller, sharing the history of Arequipa and Peru, which we found really interesting. Loved the food, including the prep, cooking and eating. Good value for money as we made a Causa starter and Lomo Saltado main meal. Delicious. Had lots of laughs. Enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and loved the hotel. This is not a serious cooking class - it is a delightful experience. Would do it again and absolutely recommend it. Thank you to our awesome host - you added a memorable highlight in our trip.
Written 30 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
And I enjoyed sharing with you this cultural experience. Thanks for the visit. H
Written 12 April 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Danielle C
26 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
Firstly, I would like to say that the chef Monica was very friendly and fun to cook with. Also, Raquel at the front desk was great. However, there were serious problems with the organization of the cooking class. I booked a private class with my husband and we agreed on a menu via email. When we arrived at the class, we discovered that we were cooking a completely different menu of dishes. I spoke with the manager and this was resolved, but he still emailed me to claim that the miscommunication was my fault. I would advise going elsewhere for a cooking class.
Written 9 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guest
We do our best to keep the Peruvian Cooking Experience original and fun. Growing as the Nr 1 cooking activity in Peru also takes us to face new challenges in organization. In your case, it was a little confuse to know if you were asking vegetarian, fish or regular menu (+6 mails). And we tried to fill all of them resulting in a multiple menu presentation. It was our mistake and please excuse me if this was not understanded correctly. As you state in your comentary, you had a great time. Sorry that was not enough. Monica, Raquel and all the ones involved send excuses.
Written 11 August 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
schristina
Austria37 contributions
We booked the market tour as well as the cooking class.
The market tour was great, not the cooking class.
At the market tour we learnt about different kind of fruits, potatoes, herbs and lots of other stuff! We had the opportunity to taste the different fruits as they bought it for the group and you are able to taste them.
We didn't buy the food we cooked, the ingredients were already bought.
We were a big group. 12 people so it was sometimes boring because you have nothing or less to do.
We did as a starter a traditional salad called Soltero. In my opinion the salad tasted a little bit boring and I think it needs to be prepared early so that it has time to develop its taste. But I know there is not enough time for this.
Main dish was Rocoto Relleno. Local really hot red peppers stuffed with minced meat, spices, cheese, eggs and milk. We tried them before at a so-called Picanteria were they tasted fabulous. Same with that dish, less cooking time in the oven. The chef called Lady did her best but she did not totally convince us.
The outdoor kitchen at Casa de Avila is a nice location for doing cooking classes.
Our advise if you book cooking classes: ask how many participants are and if the instructor is or was a professional chef.
The market tour was great, not the cooking class.
At the market tour we learnt about different kind of fruits, potatoes, herbs and lots of other stuff! We had the opportunity to taste the different fruits as they bought it for the group and you are able to taste them.
We didn't buy the food we cooked, the ingredients were already bought.
We were a big group. 12 people so it was sometimes boring because you have nothing or less to do.
We did as a starter a traditional salad called Soltero. In my opinion the salad tasted a little bit boring and I think it needs to be prepared early so that it has time to develop its taste. But I know there is not enough time for this.
Main dish was Rocoto Relleno. Local really hot red peppers stuffed with minced meat, spices, cheese, eggs and milk. We tried them before at a so-called Picanteria were they tasted fabulous. Same with that dish, less cooking time in the oven. The chef called Lady did her best but she did not totally convince us.
The outdoor kitchen at Casa de Avila is a nice location for doing cooking classes.
Our advise if you book cooking classes: ask how many participants are and if the instructor is or was a professional chef.
Written 13 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guest
Thank you for your review. Please be aware we do not promote the Cooking Experience as a cooking class, neither we say our cooks are professional chefs. We are peruvians, we cook at home same food we prepare with you. We want you to feel within a peruvian house and take a cultural souvenir you can repeat in your country. Lady (the name of your cook) is a 26 years old girl who is going to be married. She does the cooking experience together with 3 more girls and me, Armando. As owner I ve selected all of them not only because they cook, but because they are proud of what they do and they love to interact with foreingers. I am sorry you did not received what you expected and we will strongly advise we are not a cooking school but a living experience. Thanks for being in our "house" in Arequipa.
Written 16 June 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nancy M
Boston, MA259 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
Although we wanted the whole experience, starting with the market tour and ending with a Pisco Sour, that was not exactly what we got. We were informed the morning of the activity, that there would be no market tour that day. But, when we arrived, we paid for the lunch and the Pisco sour tour.
The cooking experience was enjoyable. We made the Andean Menu, which featured Rocoto Relleno, which is one of our favorite Peruvian dishes. The kitchen and dining area are in the garden, which is very beautiful. Our instructor was entertaining.
After lunch, we were informed that the Pisco tour had also been canceled. While they promised a complimentary Pisco Sour if we returned the following weekend, the cancellation was disappointing. We would have scheduled the whole event a different day if we had known that the market and Pisco tours were not going to happen.
This is a pleasant half day activity, but make sure you know what is really planned for the day before you go.
The cooking experience was enjoyable. We made the Andean Menu, which featured Rocoto Relleno, which is one of our favorite Peruvian dishes. The kitchen and dining area are in the garden, which is very beautiful. Our instructor was entertaining.
After lunch, we were informed that the Pisco tour had also been canceled. While they promised a complimentary Pisco Sour if we returned the following weekend, the cancellation was disappointing. We would have scheduled the whole event a different day if we had known that the market and Pisco tours were not going to happen.
This is a pleasant half day activity, but make sure you know what is really planned for the day before you go.
Written 23 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katherine M
London, UK32 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
I thoroughly enjoyed the cooking course which included the market visit and pisco sour making. I can recommend it to anyone visiting Arequipa.
Written 15 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marijn O
24 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
The tasting of different fruits on the market was nice, while we already did by ourselves.
The cooking experience was crappy; we didn't learn anything new, we were only cutting food and that's it. The group was split in 2 teams, where we didn't got the information what was shared with the other team, so no clue how to make that recipe. The food was not delicious, I won't make it for friends and we left without secrets of the Peruvian kitchen...
The cooking experience was crappy; we didn't learn anything new, we were only cutting food and that's it. The group was split in 2 teams, where we didn't got the information what was shared with the other team, so no clue how to make that recipe. The food was not delicious, I won't make it for friends and we left without secrets of the Peruvian kitchen...
Written 11 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Guest
This is the lowest evaluation we have received since we opened. And of course we are worried about it. We are reviewing all our procedures in order to correct any mistake. We want this activity to be a cultural souvenir from Peru. Be sure we will do our best to achieve this with future guests. Sorry for not fulfill your requirements
Written 14 February 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I was at your afternoon class on Friday the 22nd of March and have not recieved my recipes yet.
Written 29 March 2019
Dana, sorry about that. I will try to contact you and send the recipes
Written 27 January 2020
Which day and what time this activity is offered?
Do we need to reserve a long time in advance if we go in february?
Written 11 January 2015
My wife and I spent about three weeks in Casa de Avila. She was talking Spanish classes in the grassy lawn and I was just hanging around and observed that the classes were everyday, with groups ranging between 4 to 12 people. The groups learned hands-on to cook and enjoyed a good lunch. We also took a class with 6 other people. It was fun.
Written 12 January 2015
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