Fiesta Mexicana: A Culinary Experience

Discover the heart of Mexican cooking! Discover the heart of Mexican home cooking in this immersive, hands-on culinary workshop that brings together fresh masa, vibrant salsas, comforting staples, and time-honoured techniques. Under expert guidance, participants will explore the foundations of Mexican cuisine-where corn, chiles, aromatics, and careful seasoning come together to create bold yet balanced dishes meant to be shared. From working with fresh corn masa to building flavour through sauces and slow-simmered components, this class highlights the essential rhythms and techniques behind the Mexican table. The experience begins with an introduction to key ingredients and flavour profiles, including corn masa, tomatillos, chiles, herbs, and spices. Guests will learn how these elements interact to create brightness, depth, and warmth across multiple dishes without overpowering the palate. Participants work in small groups of 2–4 people, moving through each stage of preparation: mixing and pressing corn tortillas from scratch, preparing guacamole and salsa verde, cooking refried beans, and making pollo ranchero (chicken in salsa roja ranchera). Along the way, you’ll gain practical insight into technique, timing, seasoning, and balance - skills that translate easily to home cooking. A traditional Mexican rice pilaf will be prepared as a live demonstration, allowing participants to observe proper method and flavour development while keeping the focus on hands-on components. To complete the meal, guests will enjoy Chocolate Tales’ house-made mole, prepared in advance and served during the class, offering a chance to experience this iconic sauce as part of a cohesive, restaurant-style plate. As the dishes come together and aromas fill the air, participants will learn how Mexican meals are built by preparing multiple components simultaneously so everything arrives at the table together-just as it does in home kitchens across Mexico. The session concludes with everyone sitting down to enjoy the meal they’ve prepared together, celebrating both the food and the shared experience. What's included Corn Tortillas from Scratch Fresh masa mixed, pressed, and cooked during class, highlighting traditional corn-based techniques. Guacamole Prepared fresh with an emphasis on balance, texture, and proper seasoning. Salsa Verde A bright tomatillo-based sauce demonstrating acidity, heat, and freshness. Refried Beans Cooked and seasoned during class, focusing on texture and flavour development. Pollo Ranchero (Chicken in Salsa Roja Ranchera) Tender chicken cooked in a classic tomato-and-chile ranchera sauce. Mexican Rice Pilaf (Demonstration) Prepared by the instructor with a focus on technique, ratios, and flavour-building. House-Made Mole Prepared in advance by Chocolate Tales and served as part of the meal, showcasing depth and tradition. Participants leave with practical techniques, flavour understanding, and the confidence to recreate these dishes at home-along with the recipes.