Cooking classes

From Tuesday to Sunday, Chef Carrizosa opens the doors of his home to offer cooking classes.

  • Accompany him to the market to explore it, discover unique and exotic spices, local herbs, and the chilies that define Oaxacan cuisine.

  • Learn firsthand from the chef about the cultural landscape surrounding local gastronomy, its history, present, places, and characters.

  • Each session is a journey that connects the present with the deep pre-Hispanic roots of this unique gastronomy.

Explore our different options and immerse yourself in the magic of Oaxacan cuisine:

Available Experiences

Public Cooking Class

Flavors Of Oaxaca

Oaxacan cuisine is a living legacy passed down from generation to generation. In this group experience, you will dive into the heart of our gastronomy, exploring the flavors, techniques, and stories that make Oaxaca one of the most fascinating culinary destinations in the world.

The Experience

Your adventure begins by accompanying Chef Carrizosa to the local market. As you walk through the colorful aisles, he will share anecdotes about the origin of native ingredients and their use in traditional cuisine.

Back at Casa Crespo, we will get our hands in the dough. In a warm and collaborative environment—where the aroma of toasted chilies and freshly nixtamalized corn will awaken your senses—you will learn to prepare:

  • Three different styles of tortillas.
  • Three ancestral salsas.
  • Two traditional appetizers.
  • One comforting soup.
  • An authentic Oaxacan mole.
  • A local dessert and a beverage.

At the end of the class, we will share the feast you created around a table filled with lively conversation and great stories.

Bringing a guest? If a friend or family member does not wish to take the class but wants to join the final banquet, they are more than welcome to share the table with us!

  • Duration:4 hours (includes market tour).
  • Days: Tuesday to Sunday.
  • Start Time: 10:00 am.
  • Price: $1,350 MXN per person.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.
  • Guest Price (Meal Only): $750 pesos per person (Please arrive at 12:30 pm).

We take into consideration food allergies and food restrictions

Private Cooking Class

An Exclusive Immersion

For those seeking a more intimate and profound experience, our private classes offer the unique opportunity to cook alongside Chef Carrizosa in a relaxed, exclusive, and completely personalized environment.

The Experience

This is a total immersion experience in Oaxacan cuisine, tailored to your culinary interests. You will learn at your own pace, with detailed explanations and refined culinary techniques.

For four hours, you will discover the secrets of local ingredients that have been the foundation of our diet for centuries: from heirloom corn and traditional herbs to chilies endemic to the region.

Your Personalized Menu

You will learn to master the preparation of iconic dishes through techniques transmitted across generations. Together, we will make:

  • An authentic Oaxacan mole, exploring its complex and fascinating combination of spices.
  • A selection of traditional recipes adapted to your tastes.

At the end of the session, you will enjoy a private feast featuring the dishes you created.

To check availability, pricing, and design your personalized menu, please contact us directly.

  • Duration: 4 hours.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 1:30 pm.
  • Price: $6,650 pesos (for 1-2 people) | Extra person: $1,350 pesos.
  • Includes: Market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.
  • We take into consideration food allergies and food restrictions.

Tamal Class:

The Art of the Oaxacan Tamal

The tamal is not just food; it is a canvas of corn that safeguards the history, biodiversity, and soul of Mexico. Today, we will learn to master the art of the dough, the secret of the perfect whip to make them fluffy, and the wrapping techniques that give identity to each region.

Get your hands, your apron, and your heart ready!

The Foundation of Everything: The Masa (Dough)

Before getting creative with fillings, we must understand the pillar of the tamal: nixtamalized corn dough.

  • The Casa Crespo Secret: A proper balance of lard (or a vegetable alternative), seasoned broth, and the most important step—the whipping.
  1. Regional Vegetable Tamal: A tribute to the Oaxacan garden. A light, fresh, and colorful tamal that proves traditional cuisine can also taste like the harvest.
  2. Rajas con Queso Tamal (Chili Strips with Cheese): The comforting classic. The perfect balance between the heat of the chili, the acidity of the tomato, and the creaminess of local cheese.
  3. Mole Negro Tamal (Black Mole): The jewel in the crown. To speak of Casa Crespo is to speak of the complexity and mysticism of Oaxacan mole.
  4. Traditional Sweet Tamal: The grand finale. The tamal that transports us back to childhood, patron saint festivals, and afternoon coffee.

At the end of the class, we will set our table to taste the fruits of your labor. We will accompany our tamales with a refreshing agua fresca. Welcome to the Casa Crespo family and buen provecho!

  • Duration:1.5 hours.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 12:00 pm.
  • Price: $1,000 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available only in Spanish.
  • Available for vegans and vegetarians
  • Recommendation: Highly recommended for children

Moles Making Class

  • Duration: 2.5 hours.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 1:30 pm.
  • Price: $1,550 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.
  • Available for vegans and vegetarians

Long before the arrival of the Spanish, Mesoamerican kitchens were already a feast of complex flavors and intense aromas, such as the dishes known as moles, which comes from the Náhuatl word molli, meaning ground sauce.

In our Oaxacan Moles Class, you will have the opportunity to discover alongside Chef Carrizosa how this culinary tradition has evolved in Oaxaca, from pre-Hispanic techniques to the colonial-influenced dishes that are still preserved today.

Discover the evolution of the jewel in the crown of Oaxacan gastronomy, from its pre-Hispanic origins (molli) to the richness of colonial mestizaje.

The Menu: 4 Moles, 4 Stories

You will learn to prepare and master two completely different culinary worlds:
Tradition
Ancestral & Pre-Hispanic Moles to Prepare
• Green Mole (Mole Verde)
• Yellow Mole (Mole Amarillo)

Made with endemic chilies and millenary techniques.
A different type of tortilla designed to highlight each flavor profile.
Mestizo & Colonial

• Red Mole (Mole Rojo)
• Almond Mole (Mole Almendrado)

Enriched with ingredients brought from the Old World and Asia.
A different type of tortilla designed to highlight each flavor profile.

What Makes This Experience Unique

  • A Journey Through Time: You won’t just cook; you will understand the historical context of how Mesoamerican flavors evolved after the arrival of new spices and products.
  • Authentic Techniques: From handling local chilies to finding the exact point of the grind.
  • The Art of Oaxacan Pairing: Learning that mole is not complete without its perfect counterpart: the right heirloom corn tortilla for each consistency and flavor.

Note for flavor lovers: Mole is not just a recipe; it is a ritual of patience, aromas, and history passed down through generations. Get ready to get your hands dirty and pamper your palate!

The Awakening of Cacao

Ancestral Chocolate Workshop at Casa Crespo

More than an ingredient, cacao is the common thread running through the history, wealth, and spirituality of Oaxaca. We invite you to immerse yourself in a sensory journey to transform this sacred bean into chocolate, honoring the pre-Hispanic methods that remain alive in our kitchen.

Guided by Chef Carrizosa, you will learn the delicate art of roasting the beans to release their full splendor, and the mystical craft of grinding on a metate—a millenary technique that connects the body, stone, and earth.

During this class, chocolate will be your canvas. You will learn to prepare a comforting hot chocolate beverage made with water—faithful to the style of the ancient Zapotecs—a simple yet nuanced mole, and a refreshing artisanal ice cream.

Each sip and every bite will transport you to the depths of Oaxaca. Come to Casa Crespo and take a piece of our identity home with you.

  • Duration: 1 hour.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 3:00 pm.
  • Price: $750 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.
  • Recommendation: Highly recommended for children.

New Experience! Cantina Cooking Class at Casa Crespo​

Behind the doors of a traditional Oaxacan cantina, there is more than just good conversation and strong drinks; there is a universe of flavors designed to comfort the soul. At Casa Crespo, we have transformed our classic culinary experience to bring you into the heart of cantina botanas (appetizers) and cocktails.

Learn the secrets behind those iconic dishes that awaken the appetite and the stories told between sips.

What are we going to cook and toast with?

  • Tostadas de Chileajo: The perfect balance of garlic, dried chilies, and vinegar over a crispy tortilla.
  • Minilla del Istmo: Coastal seasoning brought to the table—a sardine and tomatoes with sweet and savory notes.
  • Caldito de Camarón (Shrimp Broth): The essential “hangover-reviver”—concentrated, spicy, and comforting.
  • Cocktails: We will prepare a refreshing beer cocktail and a house creation featuring mezcal infused with local herbs.

Come with an appetite for knowledge (and appetizers). Just like in our traditional classes, we will begin with ingredient selection and finish by sharing the table in our iconic space.

  • Duration:1.5 hours.
  • Start Time: 4:00 pm.
  • Price: $1,000 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available only in Spanish.
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Mexican Salsas Workshop:

The Soul of Our Kitchen

If tacos are the kings of Mexican cuisine, salsa is their crown. In Mexico, a salsa is not a simple accompaniment; it is the soul of the dish, the magic capable of transforming an ordinary bite into a memorable experience.

Join Chef Carrizosa on this sensory journey and master the culinary secrets behind our most emblematic recipes. You will learn to identify the personality of each chili, balance heat, and master traditional techniques, from using the molcajete (mortar and pestle) to the secrets of the flame.

What will you prepare?

In this masterclass, we will craft 10 essential salsas:

  • From Tradition to Flame: The classic and rustic Salsa de Molcajete and a vibrant Salsa Verde.
  • The Art of Chilies: Master salsas featuring chile de árbol, jalapeño, chipotle, and the king of heat, the Habanero.
  • Textures and Identity: Discover the secret behind the famous Salsa Macha and learn to differentiate (and prepare) Guacamole from the addictive Guacachile.
  • Contrasts and Innovation: Perfect your palate with fruit salsas accented with pineapple and tamarind.
  • The Perfect Preserve: Artisanal pickled chilies and chipotles in adobo.

The Grand Finale

At the end of the class comes the reward: we will enjoy a guided tasting of premium tacos, strategically paired with the 10 salsas you prepared yourself. Reserve your spot and take the true taste of Mexico home!

  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Start Time: 4:00 pm.
  • Price: $1,550 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.

Available for vegans and vegetarians

Traditional Tacos Class

In Mexico, every taco tells a story. In our exclusive traditional tacos class, guided by Chef Carrizosa, you will discover the soul of our culture through every bite.

You will learn everything from the meticulous selection of fresh ingredients to the ancestral techniques that bring to life the five most iconic tacos in our country. A culinary journey that goes beyond cooking: it is a tribute to the gastronomic richness of Mexico.

The Class Menu

You will learn to prepare these immortal classics from scratch, each paired with its perfect traditional salsa:

  • Tacos al Pastor: The perfect balance of spices, marinade, and the sweet touch of pineapple.
  • Cochinita Pibil: The tender, aromatic secret of the Mexican Southeast.
  • Tinga: Shredded chicken with the exact smoky notes of chipotle chili.
  • Rajas con Crema: The subtlety and comforting warmth of home cooking.
  • Papa con Chorizo (Potato with Chorizo): A pillar of national street food.

More than a recipe, a tradition: This class is not just about cooking, but about understanding the origins, rituals, and historical secrets that turned the taco into a cultural heritage.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 5:00 pm.
  • Price: $1,550 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.

Pre-Hispanic Cooking Class with Chef Carrizosa

A journey to the origin of Oaxacan flavors

Long before ingredients from the Old World and Asia redefined global gastronomy, Mesoamerica already held a vibrant, complex, and deeply spiritual cuisine. At Casa Crespo, we invite you to disconnect from the present and travel back in time to discover the true origin of our culinary culture.

Guided by the expertise of Chef Carrizosa, you will explore the richness of native products and ancestral techniques that have withstood the test of centuries. You will learn to work with sacred ingredients: from wild aromatic herbs and endemic chilies to the diversity of our heirloom corn.

The Ancestral Menu

We have designed a mystical and authentic experience through iconic dishes that, to this day, crown the most traditional tables in Oaxaca:

  • Three Varieties of Tortillas: Mastering the art of nixtamalization and the use of the comal (griddle).
  • Mushroom Mixiote: A tribute to the earth wrapped in subtle aromas.
  • Caldo de Piedra (Stone Soup): One of the most fascinating living cooking techniques in the world, cooked instantly with red-hot river stones.
  • Green Mole (Mole Verde): The ultimate expression of fresh herbs and regional seeds.
  • Fruit Atole: The comforting corn elixir that has nourished generations.

Why Choose This Experience?

More than a recipe, it is a historical connection. If you are looking for a deep culinary experience far from conventional tourist circuits, this class is designed for you. You will not only learn to cook; you will understand the worldview, history, and cultural richness hidden behind every ingredient.

  • Duration: 2.5 hours.
  • Days: Tuesday to Saturday.
  • Start Time: 5:00 pm.
  • Price: $1,550 pesos per person.
  • Includes: Does not include a market tour.
  • Languages: Available in Spanish and English.
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Reserve now Public Class

Reserve now Private Class

Reserve Tamales making class

Reserve mole class

Reserve chocolate class

Reserve Cantina Cooking Class

Reserve Salsa making class

Reserve tacos class

Reserve Pre-Hispanic Cuisine Class