Cusco: Peruvian Cooking Class with Pisco Sour

Experience Cusco’s culinary heart with a Peruvian Cooking Class featuring Pisco Sour. For $71 per person, you’ll spend about 2.5 hours cooking with a professional chef, learning how to craft iconic dishes like Cebiche or Lomo Saltado and mixing the famous Pisco Sour cocktail. The class is conveniently located in Cusco, a city bursting with history, culture, and incredible flavors.

What we love about this experience is how interactive and authentic it feels. First, you’ll walk to a local market, selecting fresh ingredients with guidance from your chef — a true taste of local life. Second, the chance to take home recipes means you can recreate these dishes long after your trip ends. On the flip side, a potential consideration is that transportation isn’t included, so plan how you’ll get to the venue.

This class suits travelers eager to get their hands dirty in the kitchen, those curious about Peruvian cuisine, or anyone who appreciates a good drink and culture. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just enthusiastic about learning, this experience offers a genuine, flavorful glimpse into Cusco’s culinary traditions.

Key Points

• Hands-on cooking with a professional chef makes for an authentic experience.
• Choose between Cebiche or Lomo Saltado, two staples of Peruvian cuisine.
• Includes preparation of Papa a la Huancaina, a traditional starter dish.
• Learn to make a classic Pisco Sour cocktail, Peru’s signature drink.
• All ingredients and equipment provided, with recipes sent after the class.
• Ideal for those wanting a local, immersive activity that combines food, culture, and fun.

You can check availability for your dates here:

An Authentic Taste of Cusco’s Culinary Traditions

Imagine wandering through the bustling streets of Cusco, then stepping into a cozy kitchen where you’re greeted by a friendly, professional chef eager to teach you the secrets of Peruvian cooking. For 2.5 hours, you’ll get your hands involved in creating some of the country’s most iconic dishes — a lively, educational, and delicious experience.

This class is based in Cusco, a city renowned for its vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and proximity to some of Peru’s most breathtaking landscapes. The setting offers a relaxed environment for learning where you can truly appreciate local ingredients and traditional techniques. At $71, this is a highly accessible way for travelers to deepen their connection with Peruvian culture through food.

What Makes This Cooking Class Stand Out?

Two key aspects set this experience apart. First, the market visit is a highlight — walking with your guide to pick out fresh produce and ingredients adds an authentic touch, transforming a simple cooking class into a cultural outing. Second, the personalized choice between preparing Cebiche or Lomo Saltado means you can tailor the experience to your taste, making it more meaningful.

On top of that, the inclusion of a Pisco Sour lesson offers a taste of Peru’s most celebrated cocktail, perfect for those wanting to learn how to craft the real deal. The class is designed to be accessible, and it’s easy to adapt for vegetarians, which broadens its appeal.

Is There Anything to Consider?

One aspect to keep in mind is that transportation to and from the class isn’t included. If your accommodation isn’t within walking distance, you might need to arrange a taxi or other transport. Also, since the class is 2.5 hours long, it’s best suited for travelers with flexible schedules looking for a culinary experience rather than a quick activity.

What To Expect During the Class

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Meet Your Chef and Market Visit

Your experience begins with a friendly introduction from your chef, who will guide you through the ingredients. The walk to the local market is a mini adventure, giving insight into how locals shop for fresh produce — a vital part of understanding Peruvian cuisine.

Cooking the Starter: Papa a la Huancaina

Back in the kitchen, the first dish you’ll prepare is Papa a la Huancaina — a simple yet flavorful dish featuring boiled potatoes topped with a spicy, creamy cheese sauce. This starter embodies Peru’s love for potatoes and cheese, and it’s surprisingly easy to make once you learn the technique.

Main Course Options: Cebiche or Lomo Saltado

Next, you get to choose your main dish.

• Cebiche is fresh, tangy, and a true Peruvian classic. You’ll learn how to prepare it with fresh fish, lime juice, chili, and herbs, capturing the essence of the coast.

• Lomo Saltado is a stir-fry combining beef, onions, tomatoes, and Peruvian spices, served with rice and fries — a hearty, flavorful dish that reflects the fusion of indigenous and Asian influences in Peru.

Your chef will guide you step by step, ensuring you grasp the techniques — from marinating fish to stir-frying meat.

Making the Pisco Sour

Finally, you learn how to mix a Pisco Sour, Peru’s national cocktail, using fresh lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and ice. Your instructor will show you the proper shaking technique to create a frothy, perfectly balanced drink. It’s a fun, hands-on way to end the session.

Recipes and Takeaways

You’ll leave not only with your freshly made dishes but also with printed recipes to recreate the experience at home — a gift that keeps the flavors alive long after your trip.

The Value of This Experience

Considering the price of $71, this experience offers a lot. You’re not just learning to cook — you’re engaging with Peruvian culture through ingredients, techniques, and flavors. The inclusion of all equipment and ingredients, plus recipes, makes it excellent value.

The reviews speak to the quality — Wendy called it “an amazing class,” emphasizing the fun of shopping at the market and cooking real local dishes. Such feedback suggests the experience is well-organized, authentic, and memorable.

While the class doesn’t include transportation, its central location and the opportunity to walk to the market add to the local vibe. If you’re looking for a hands-on activity that’s both educational and delicious, this is a solid choice.

Who Will Love This?

This tour is perfect for food lovers and curious travelers eager to get behind the scenes of Peruvian cuisine. It’s especially suited for those who enjoy interactive experiences, want to learn recipes to take home, or prefer cultural activities that involve more than sightseeing.

It also works well for vegetarians, with easy modifications, and for anyone interested in a relaxed, fun, and authentic culinary class in Cusco.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is transportation to the class included?
No, transportation isn’t included, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the venue. Walking is often possible if you’re staying nearby.

How long is the class?
The class lasts approximately 2.5 hours, which is enough time to learn, cook, and enjoy your creations without feeling rushed.

Can I participate if I don’t eat meat?
Yes, the class can easily be adapted into a vegetarian experience, making it accessible for different dietary preferences.

What dishes will I learn to make?
You’ll learn to prepare a traditional Peruvian starter, either Cebiche or Lomo Saltado, and a Pisco Sour cocktail.

Are ingredients and recipes provided?
Yes, all ingredients and equipment are included, and you’ll receive recipes to take home.

Is the experience suitable for children or groups?
While the data doesn’t specify age restrictions, a 2.5-hour hands-on class typically suits older children and groups who enjoy culinary activities.

Final Thoughts

This Cusco cooking class offers a genuine, immersive taste of Peruvian culinary traditions. From market shopping to the final sip of your homemade Pisco Sour, it’s an experience that combines education, culture, and flavor in a relaxed setting. The friendly guides and authentic recipes ensure you’ll leave with new skills and delicious memories.

Ideal for curious travelers wanting to understand local ingredients and techniques, this class is a delightful way to connect with Cusco’s rich food scene. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just eager to try something new, it’s a lively, hands-on activity that brings Cusco’s vibrant flavors to your own kitchen someday.

Note: Book in advance, as spots can fill up, and verify starting times to fit this experience into your Cusco itinerary.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby