Quito Cayambe Cooking Class Review: A Taste of Tradition
Alright, are you dreaming of escaping the usual touristy things and digging into the heart of Ecuadorian culture? Well, I found something that might be right up your alley! It’s called the “From Quito to Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers,” and trust me, it is more than just tossing ingredients into a pot. So, too it is an all-day plunge into tradition, flavors, and getting to know the amazing people behind Ecuadorian cuisine.
Setting the Scene: Getting From Quito to Cayambe
The class started super early, right around 8 in the morning. That’s early, alright, yet the thought of the adventures that awaited me kept me going. Now, getting from Quito to Cayambe is almost a treat itself. You basically trade the city clamor for seriously awesome mountain views. As you move along the Pan-American Highway, I couldn’t resist gawking at the peaks and valleys, thinking how isolated, too it’s quite peaceful life must be up in those places. Along the way, you will find little towns, seemingly stuck in another time, and it got me more excited about what I’d discover when I got to Cayambe.
Arriving in Cayambe: More than Just Biscuits
Cayambe might be very known for its yummy biscuits (bizcochos), yet believe me, that’s only scratching the surface. So, after we pulled into this adorable little town, I learned we would actually be heading to a hacienda nestled in the mountains, just a little ways away. The fresh air itself was very different —clean and sharp— from Quito. Getting to the hacienda, it was almost like stepping into someone’s grand country home, warm and welcoming, with that great charm that’s pretty difficult to replicate.
Hands-On Cooking: What’s on the Menu?
Okay, let’s get to the important part—the grub! First things first, is that this isn’t only someone talking at you, yet it’s very hands-on. That means, are you ready to chop veggies, grind spices, and basically get your fingernails dirty? So, we cooked up a storm that day, making very old-fashioned Ecuadorian treats. Think about getting the rich flavors of Locro soup (a starchy, yummy potato soup), maybe creating empanadas from scratch, and getting that sweetness hit from a local treat—it really does give you a real taste of Ecuadorian flavors. The coolest thing might be learning all the why’s behind these recipes, that, like your family recipes, were handed down for generations. Basically, that added a ton of meaning to the food itself.
A Cultural Plunge: More Than Just Food
The awesome bit about this class wasn’t strictly the cooking. I quickly learned, like you do, when talking to someone interesting, the class dives into local customs and stories. While we were mixing and stirring, our host told us stories about the area’s background, conventional ways, and maybe even some cool family secrets! So, this little class does more than give you cooking tips, but it might even open your eyes to a different way of life. When are you actually going to learn about that anywhere else? And don’t forget the chats with the chef—this guy knew everything! Learning where ingredients come from, how certain cooking ways developed, and why specific dishes mean something – it added layers to the experience that I totally didn’t expect.
The Verdict: Should You Go?
So, should you book this cooking class near Cayambe? So, that’s really going to depend on what you’re after. You’ll probably like this class if:
- You want to do more than tourist stuff, actually see something real
- Maybe your family always talked about Ecuadorian food
- Trying fresh, local food is a big part of your traveling
- You think listening to peoples experiences is fun
You should think twice about this experience, so, if:
- Your budget for seeing Cayambe is on a tight shoestring.
- The thought of spending the whole day outside of Quito almost seems too much
- Anything that takes more than 30 minutes to cook turns you off
- Basically, anything beyond picture-taking of Quito seems exhausting.
Basically, for me, that class was an awesome, very real dive into Ecuadorian ways that you almost can’t put a price on. So, the memories and skills I brought home were seriously more rewarding than any small trinket I could’ve grabbed in a gift shop.
Actually, are you up for discovering local flavors and cultural gems outside of city life, yet “From Quito to Cayambe Traditional Cooking Class with Transfers” will probably not let you down.