An Exquisite and Delectable Authentic Cooking Experience - Wow. What an amazing and beautiful experience. We found Chela’s cooking class and begged her to squeeze us into a class since she was all booked up — she was kind enough to oblige and I am beyond grateful she did. Chela does not promise private classes, but goes the extra mile to make each class as small and intimate as possible. There were four of us in our class. When we first arrived, she offered us an array of beverages and allowed us to choose recipes from her cookbook to make. The recipes are passed down from her grandmother and are all authentic Costa Rican cuisine. She, along with two assistants, then walked us through the recipes and taught us a number of techniques, including how to make a tortilla from scratch and shape it by hand. Once we were done cooking, we sat down for the 5 course meal we’d cooked — followed by a rice pudding dessert that Chela and her team had prepared for us in advance. The class itself is very hands on, but the team is kind enough to help with prep and do your dishes for you, cleaning up for everyone as you go. We of course bought the cookbook once we were done so we could recreate the magic once we return home! A few additional notes — the space itself is stunning and beautiful, with twinkle lights adorning the facility, a beautiful wood burning stove, and an immaculate kitchen. Moreover, Chela’s story is incredible. She started the business during the pandemic and convinced others to take a chance on her, and I am so glad that she appears to be thriving. I was thrilled to be able to support a local and woman-owned business, and I encourage anyone reading this review to run and book a spot for a one-of-a-kind experience. You will not regret it, and I can guarantee the food will be some of the most delicious you have while in Costa Rica.

Felt like cooking with family!! - This authentic Costa Rican experience was one of my favorites from our 10 days in Costa Rica! Chela has an incredible story and is a very kind and endearing human. Our family of 4, including two kids ages 12 and 15, enjoyed our time learning from Chela and her team. We learned about ingredients we have never used and she has t the whole family involved. Our kids jumped right in and had a blast, including trying new foods! Book this experience as it's special and you will leave with a full belly and happy memories!!!

Food is Love and so is cooking with Chela!!! - Tonight was so special. Family dinners are really important in our family and tonight our kids cooked one of the best meals we have had in a long time and certainly the best ones we have experienced overall in Costa Rica. This meal was so good and authentic. At the direction of Chela and the ladies who are part of her kitchen, our kids stepped up, took charge and got to work making a very special Costa Rican meal for our family to enjoy together on our trip. The kitchen, the equipment, the instruction were all so genuine, authentic and unique. Tonight was such a great time, the jokes, the laughs and the conversation, they were all amazingly special. Cooking is passion and everyone should try a cooking class. Especially with friends and families. Food is love!

A wonderful intimate experience! - This was such a fun experience! Doña Chela was so kind and welcoming and had us make something different to all the casados we’d been eating for days (delicious of course!). It was nice to learn and make a traditional Costa Rican dish that we hadn’t tried yet. My favorite part was enjoying the meal with doña Chela and her sweet assistant. I also want to add that the meal we had here was the best we had tried during our entire trip!

Amazing Cooking Class 10/10! - Such an amazing cooking class! My partner and I were originally in a class with four other people, but they never showed up, however this only heightened our experience since Chela and her team truly made us feel welcomed and at home! The food we made was absolutely the best we’ve had in Costa Rica and we got to meet a truly inspiring and humble woman!

Great experience for teens and adults alike! - This was a highlight of our trip for our entire crew including 4 teenagers and 4 adults. A very welcoming atmosphere and the meal we learned to cook was delicious! Highly recommend this experience to anyone!

Do not miss this amazing, delicious opportunity!! - What a special evening!!! Chela brought us lovingly into her kitchen to cook with her! She and her team are fantastic cooks, welcoming hosts, and made our evening absolutely spectacular, delicious and fun! We made cheese and beef empanadas, fried sweet plaintains, smashed patacones, gallo pinto, black beans, one of the truly most delectable chicken dishes we have ever had (!!), and more. Chela treated us to all sorts of Costa Rican insider cooking tips, information about the must-have seasonings, and her family’s way of cooking over her Fogón (a fire with chimney). Our two young boys loved this experience and the food! This is a MUST do if you are in La Fortuna. What a special way to spend a night. And certainly the most delicious traditional Costa Rican food we have had in country to date!

Highlight of our trip! - This was a trip highlight!! Chela is not only an amazing female entrepreneur but she’s a great cook and teacher as well! We had 9 of us ranging from 8 years old to 70 & EVERYONE enjoyed it! Chela is so great with the kids, keeping them involved and we all laughed and enjoyed each other and her. Her staff and property are top notch and the meal was outstanding! Do not miss your chance to experience this cooking class!

Authentic Costa Rica at its best!! - This was an absolutely incredible experience. Rural tourism at its best. The most beautiful part of Costa Rica is the people and this was such a wonderful intimate experience. It was incredible to meet Chela and hear her story and learn authentic Costa Rican cuisine with her in her amazing outdoor kitchen. My husband and I did it during our anniversary trip, but I’m dying to take my kids back. Her grandmother would be so proud!

An enjoyable and unique cultural experience for people at all age levels - We visited nice restaurants during our visit to Costa Rica, but this experience offered the best food and activity that the whole family loved. We started with a vegetable garden tour but all members of our "picky" group had a chance to indulge in a uniquely Costa Rican activity. Don't deliberate, this activity is a winner!