Casa Jacaranda Cooking Classes

Casa Jacaranda is a cooking school in Colonia Juárez that describes itself as Mexico City's premier cooking class and culinary experience. It is based in a 19th-century palace on Calle Milán, and it began about ten years ago when its founders, Beto and Jorge, started cooking for guests. It has since been covered by publications including Bon Appétit, The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet and National Geographic Traveler.

The core experience is a hands-on cooking class, which can be combined with an optional market visit where you meet the chefs at a local market and shop for ingredients before cooking. Groups are normally six or eight people, which keeps the class personal and gives everyone time at the stove. Classes are taught mostly in English, with Spanish sessions available if you ask in advance. The school also hosts dinners, and it runs other programmes such as a Garden Experience in Cuernavaca, a Boot Camp and Roots and Rituals.

Dietary needs are well handled. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests can be accommodated if you mention them when you book. The school offers two booking options: a flexible ticket that can be rescheduled within six months for a small fee, and a cheaper non-refundable ticket, so choose according to how settled your plans are.

Casa Jacaranda is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Private and team events can be arranged with custom menus and schedules: private events of up to 15 people use a modified format, private bookings can go up to 22, and larger groups can use the patio. It suits couples, friends and families who want to learn to cook Mexican dishes, as well as companies planning a team outing.

Plan the class for early in your trip so you can recognise ingredients and dishes when you eat out later. The school is in Colonia Juárez, the same neighbourhood as Café La Habana, Hotel Geneve and Handshake Speakeasy, so it is easy to combine with a coffee before or a cocktail after. Book through the website or contact the team by phone or email.