Cooking class at ChocoMuseo:
If you’re visiting La Antigua Guatemala, one of the best experiences you really should not miss out on is taking a cooking class at ChocoMuseo.
Our group had such a fun yet informative time with chef Marvin and his helper Carlos. Our mission was to prepare the famous Guatemalan dish, Pepián. Marvin explained the history behind its name. It originates from a town close to Antigua called Chimaltenango and can be traced to pre-Hispanic times! Pepián is now widely considered Guatemala’s national dish!
The process:
Aprons on, peelers and knives in hand, we chopped onions and peeled potatoes.
We then made the stock adding the chicken with fresh coriander. Next, we fried the popping sesame and pumpkin seeds, adding dried chilies and tomato. A quick whizz in the blender, it was then added to the stock and bubbled away, its fragrance giving us quite a hunger!
We then had time for a rum tasting. Firstly, a very good Botrán rum and then Guatemala’s finest: Zacapa 23-year-old Centenario. Marvin explained that these rums do not take kindly to cola. They should only be drunk neat or on the rocks!
Next, Marvin explained to us how to make tortillas by hand. Well he made it look so easy – patting them from hand to hand then laying them out on the skillet. Ours didn’t look so good but they were so tasty!
Tropical fruit tasting:
A tropical fruit tasting followed, some of the fruits we tried can only be found in Guatemala! Marvin explained how to cut and eat these fruits. We tried tuna (not the fish!), mamey, paterna, pitaya, and chico. We each had our favorite!
The dessert:
The cooking class continued with the preparation of the dessert. Rellenitos de plátano filled with chocolate! We cut the plátanos (plantains), then with the skins on, boiled them in water adding cloves, cinnamon, sugar and a little salt for fifteen minutes. Skins off, Marvin set a competition to see who could mash the plátanos the smoothest. Sadly, I didn’t win that chocolate prize! Once cooled, we rolled the mash into balls and inserted melted chocolate. They were then fried to a golden brown.
Finally, feeling like seasoned chefs, we sat together to enjoy the meal that we had help to prepare. Starting with Guacamole toast, then the pepián with rice and vegetables and then the delicious rellenitos. Oh, and by the way, plenty of wine and beer was included!
Tomorrow, I’m booked on ChocoMuseo’s market tour.
There is so much to discover; I can’t wait!
Information about the classes:
Full class 2.5-3 hours- $45. Short class 1.5 hours-$29
Daily 10:30 AM/4:30PM
Other times by appointment.
Book online https://www.chocomuseo.com/antigua-cooking-class
Contact Information:
ChocoMuseo El Arco
5a Avenida Norte #15C /
(502) 7832-0219
ChocoMuseo La Fuente
4a Calle Oriente #14
(502) 7832-4520
ChocoMuseo Cayalá
Paseo Cayalá – Zona 16
(502) 2493-8179
ChocoMuseo Panajachel
3a Avenida, Calle Santander 3-45, Local 3, Zona 2
(502) 7762-2639
