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Panamanian Cooking Class: A Gourmet Journey Through Traditional Cuisine in Casco Viejo
5.0
37 Ratings
Panamá
Embark on a culinary adventure in Casco Viejo, Panama, with a local market tour and hands-on cooking class. Learn traditional Panamanian recipes and techniques from an expert chef. Personalized menu options available.
Duration:
4 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
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Restaurante El Nacional Sabores de Panamá - Your tour starts at the Restaurante El Nacional in Casco Viejo, the colonial historic center of Panama City. You will walk with your expert local guide to gather your personalized ingredients at the two main markets in Panama’s Old Town. You will first visit the famous Mercado de Mariscos, Panama’s largest seafood market. With the help of your guide, you will select the perfect fish for your ceviche from amongst the many varieties that are delivered here daily from local fisherman on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Next you will walk a short distance to the Mercado San Felipe Neri. Here you will maneuver amongst the organized chaos of local vendors selling the freshest meats, fruits, and vegetables that Panama has to offer. Once you have your ingredients, you will head back to the cooking studio at El Nacional to begin the cooking class.
During the hands on cooking class, you will create a 5 course menu consisting of classic Panamanian dishes made from scratch while learning about spices and herbs that are unique to Panamanian cuisine. The tour will conclude with a sit down lunch where you can enjoy the food that you just created along with complimentary local drinks.
What's Included
- Cooking class
- Bottled water
- Lunch
- Alcoholic Beverages
What's Not Included
- Optional Tips
Meal Options
- Panamanian Style Ceviche - Made with the fresh corvina that we will get at the seafood market
- Carimañola - A Panamanian staple that consists of mashed yucca (cassava) stuffed with seasoned meat (chicken or vegetarian)
- Pollo Guisado - You will learn how to make this stewed chicken with local herbs and spices. You will use this chicken in the carimañola and tamal recipes.
- Tamale Tipica - The centerpiece of any family dinner in Panama made with a velvety corn masa filled with meat and/or vegetables and wrapped in a plantain leaf
- Plátano en Tentación - Sweet plantain slowly cooked in a cinnamon, molasses and citrus fruit juice.
- Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options - All of the dishes can be substituted with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free ingredients to fit your dietary needs.
Additional Information
Embark on a culinary journey through Panama’s distinct flavors with a combined market tour and hands-on cooking workshop. Guided by a knowledgeable local culinary expert, you will navigate Casco Viejo’s bustling markets in search of the perfect ingredients for your tailored menu. Immerse yourself in the world of unique Panamanian herbs and spices as you prepare a quintet of dishes that would earn the admiration of any Panamanian grandmother. Master the art of crafting the ideal Panamanian tamale and filling a carimañola under the tutelage of a chef whose expertise has been handed down through generations. This cooking adventure is designed to cater to your dietary needs, with options including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian choices.
- Legal age that can be served alcohol is 18
Location
Restaurante El Nacional Sabores de Panamá
Tour starting point is in Restaurante El Nacional, PH Catedral, located on Plaza de la Independencia, in the former Museo de Esmeralda
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(37 Ratings)
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Carolcm9293if
May 14, 2024
Definitely worth it - Had lunch at this restaurant couple of days ago & it was delicious so when we saw the cooking class we signed up. Going to the markets & seeing the locals shopping was great, everything was so fresh. Jorge & executive chef Lady were so much fun & walked thru every part of the food we were preparing. If you don't have time to take the class, definitely stop in for lunch or dinner. You will not be disappointed! Some of the best food in Panama.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthews5
May 14, 2024
Everyone needs this experience - We did the tour this afternoon with Jorge and the executive chef known affectionately as “the lady”. What a great experience and a true way to get to see real Panama. You leave the restaurant and go shop for your food at nearby stores. This wasn’t about selling souvenirs, this was a real Panamanian treat! Our guide gets a full 5 stars as he was fun, knowledgeable and leapt in to help when needed. “The lady” was a master chef and taught as a master chef only can! Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marge_w
May 10, 2024
Awesome & Delicious! - The whole experience from going to the markets, prepping the food, unlimited cocktails and ultimately sitting down and eating what you helped create was a great experience. Kudos to chef Leydi, Jorge and Carlos for a great experience. I would highly recommend this to anyone that would like to learn to cook some true Panamanian dishes at home. Cant wait to get back to my own kitchen and try them out myself. Thanks for the awesome experience!
Review provided by Viator
C5205ggjasons
Apr 20, 2024
You will not go Hungry on this fun experience! - This was an amazing experience. I loved learning how to make ceviche and other Panamanian delicacies - from market to plate! I loved the chef. and you get all drinks you are thirsty for! Highly Recommned!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lori
Apr 19, 2024
Market Visit/Panamanian Cooking Class. - This was an outstanding trip. The walk to the market was great and Jorge taught us a lot about the area while we were there. The class was good for both novice and expert cooks. The entire restaurant staff came out and did something very helpful. The food was amazing and working with the executive chef was great. I would recommend this cooking class to anybody that has the time. The free drinks that came with it were a bonus on a hot day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Francis_j
Apr 17, 2024
A Great experience, Panamanian Cooking Class - We feel that this “Panamanian” Cooking class was a great experience for us. First we walked to the Meat & Produce Market, then we went to the Fish Market. All of the markets were clean plus all the vendors were extremely friendly. Even though we don’t speak Spanish, somehow we managed to communicate with everyone (of course with the help of Jorge, the conductor of this cooking class). Jorge was a great teacher for all of us. In the restaurant, Jorge and his assistant walked us through the steps in preparing “Ceviche with Sea Bass”, “Pollo Guisado”, “Carimanolas”, “Tamal de Pollo” and finally, “Platano Tentacion”.
For a great Panamanian cultural and cooking experience, we will strongly recommend this.
Review provided by Viator
Lardog123
Apr 14, 2024
Delivered with knowledge, love and experience - A wonderful event. Particularly enjoyed the walking tour to grab fresh ingredients for cooking. Very good value and quite memorable day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brandy_m
Apr 3, 2024
Better than expected - We did this class with our 15-year-old daughter and we all had a great time. The food was incredible. The staff was personable and entertaining. I highly recommend this experience.
Review provided by Viator
Gareth_p
Apr 2, 2024
Fantastic cooking class - Really fun experience and well rounded tour, everything I expected from a cooking class and more. Great to be taken to the fish and food markets to buy our own ingredients. Also loved the whole set up of the cooking class and the food was great. Eat a little before coming as you only start consuming the meals at the end of the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Rosanner2024
Mar 21, 2024
Great Experience and Loads of Fun - My husband and I along with our 2 teenage grandchildren just experienced this wonderful cooking opportunity! It is even better than the description!! The shopping, cooking and finally eating could not be topped. The personnel were positively lovely, fun, gracious and informative. This cooking school is abundant in the food you prepare. Despite how delicious the dishes came out, and they will be delicious, you can't finish all that you make. But don't worry, you can take it back to your hotel. It was a fantastic family experience during our Panama stay!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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