Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home

Lina is half Norwegian and her partner Leo is of Mapuche descent, and they like to think that their family and home represent all three cultures. They love traveling and are passionate about living as sustainably as possible, while cooking healthy, local and fair trade food. Lina and Leo were raised in families where food was always the main part of the holidays and family events and they hope to create this kind of family life for their young son.

Learn to cook a 2-3 course Chilean meal Lina and Leo's small kitchen. They prepare typical Chilean dishes that include influences from the traditional Mapuche culture. Lina likes to use merkén, a dried, smoked chili used in Mapuche cuisine, as well as quinoa in her preparations. They will show you how to make classic Chilean recipes, perhaps one of the dishes she learned from her grandmother. You might learn to cook dishes like charquican, a common seasonal vegetable stew; or pebre, a fresh salsa made with tomatoes, herbs and spices. Every Chilean family has their own version of these foods, and today you’ll learn Lina and Leo's way! You’ll cook together for 1-2 hours before sitting down together to enjoy the meal.

You will get to sample typical Chilean dishes such as pastel de choclo (a Chilean summertime version of shepherd’s pie), carbonada (beef and vegetable stew), carne mechada (stewed shredded beef) with puré picante (mashed potatoes seasoned with merkén), porotos granados (bean stew with pumpkin and corn), or empanadas de pino (empanadas stuffed with local pine nuts, ground beef and spices) as well as other seasonal, traditional Chilean dishes.

Lina can cater to any dietary restriction and serves mostly gluten-free and dairy-free dishes so that they are safe for her to eat. She can also offer vegetarian or vegan version of the dishes. Feel free to ask Lina if you have any dietary restrictions.

Lina and Leo both work in tourism, so be sure to ask them for their advice as you plan your trip to Chile!

Please note, this is not a professional cooking class, rather this experience is a visit into an authentic, local home to meet a local family and share the culture and cuisine together. Lina and Leo have a young son who will be present during your visit. This is a family friendly experience!