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Taking Cusco cooking classes in Peru, a top culinary destination in the world, is an exquisite experience.
While Cusco is most famous for Machu Picchu, the food is also a big attraction. The unique ingredients and rich culinary traditions make Cusco the perfect place to learn to make Peruvian cuisine.
While exploring the local food specialties in Cusco, we were constantly in awe of the unique ingredients, surprising fruits and amazing flavors.
In the UNESCO World Heritage City of Cusco, you don’t want to miss taking a cooking class.
With local market visits and rich in history, here are the 7 best cooking classes in Cusco to take.
Comparison Table of The Best Cooking Classes in Cusco
| Cusco cooking classes | Price ($ USD) | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco | $59.00 | 9:00 am and 3:00 pm | 4 h | Best Overall |
| Group Cooking Class at Marcelo Batata in Cusco | $90.00 | 2:00 pm | 4 h | Popular Peruvian Dishes |
| High-End Peruvian Cooking Class with Market Visit | $55.00 | 10:00 am and 3:00 pm | 4 h | Contemporary Peruvian cuisine |
| Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop | $25.65 | 8:30 am, 11:00 am 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm | 2 h | Chocolate lovers |
| Private Cooking Class in Cusco | $130.00 | 9:00 am | 3 h | Comprehensive Private Class |
| Private Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class | $49.00 | 9:00 am and 3:00 pm | 4 h | Value |
| Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo | $49.50 | 5:00 pm | 4 h | Traditional recipes |
Prices for these Cusco cooking classes are in sol (PEN). We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices and availability may vary slightly when you book your class.
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Top Cooking Classes in Cusco To Choose From
1. Peruvian Cooking Class and Local Market in Cusco
With this cooking class in Cusco, your culinary adventure begins at San Pedro Market. This is the city’s largest and most vibrant market.
You will have the opportunity to meet and chat with local vendors and Peruvian chefs. While being guided through the market, where you will be introduced to local foods and ingredients.
Back at the cooking studio with ingredients in hand, you’ll start your cooking experience with Peru’s most famous drink.
You’ll learn to make the famous Peruvian Pisco Sour and discover the history of the drink.
There are two Cusco cooking classes offered. A morning class and an afternoon class and they both visit the local market.
The menu varies depending on the option you select. However, you can expect to make three types of appetizers, two main courses and desserts.
In addition to the Pisco Sours, you will also taste another local drink, the chicha morada. This corn based drink is an experience not to miss.
This 4-hour culinary experience ends with your delicious hand made lunch or dinner. You’ll dive deeper into Cusco culinary heritage and leave with scrumptious Peruvian recipes to make at home.
Cost: $59.00
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Morning class at 9:00 am and Evening class at 3:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: To whet your taste buds as you prepare for your Cusco cooking classes, try this simple recipe. How To Make An Authentic Peruvian Pisco Sour
2. Group Cooking Class at Marcelo Batata in Cusco
Established by six professional Peruvian chefs, Marcelo Batata cooking studio was created to promote Peruvian culture through food.
The chefs, with 50 years of combined cooking experience and three very successful restaurants are your cooking guides.
In Marcelo Batata cooking class, you’ll learn how to prepare some of Peru’s most popular dishes including lomo saltado, aji de gallina, and the most famous cocktail, pisco sour.
This Cusco cooking class starts at the local market where you’ll shop for fresh ingredients.
You will also have the chance to taste some of Peru’s local fruit like as lucuma, camu camu, maracuyá and others.
While mastering techniques from the professional chefs, you’ll learn to make a variety of traditional Peruvian dishes.
First up is Lomo Saltado, a dish made with strips of beef or chicken sautéed with onions and tomatoes.
Then it’s on to Aji de Gallina, a creamy chicken dish flavored with ajà amarillo peppers. Of course, ceviche, Peru’s national dish cannot be missed.
And everything will be washed down with a homemade batch of fresh pisco sour cocktails.
Located in the heart of the historic city of Cusco, Marcelo Batata cooking class a tasty hand-on way to learn about Peruvian food.
Cost: $90.00
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes starts at 2:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
3. High-End Peruvian Cooking Class with Market Visit
Learn how to make Peruvian cuisine from a professional chef in Cusco Peru. This 4-hour cooking class will teach you how to prepare authentic Peruvian dishes with a modern twist.
On your first hour, you’ll visit San Pedro Market and learn about Peruvian delicacies, including fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits and locally produced cheeses.
You’ll stop at local restaurants and eateries where you can sample other dishes from Peru.
Back in the Peruvian cooking studio, you’ll start making your 3-course lunch or dinner. This class is set up to allow you to cook alongside the chef and experience first-hand the steps of preparing each dish.
You will also learn about Peruvian culture, which will help you better understand what you are tasting in this cooking class in Cusco.
Expect to mix pisco sours from passion fruit for starters. Starters include ceviche Peru’s most famous dish. Or, tiradito nikkei, Peruvian Japanese fusion.
Hearty traditional savory dishes like mushroom quinotto, Alpaca steak and potatoes are also on the menu. For desserts you’ll be making exotic fruits parfait.
This high end Peruvian cooking class blends traditional ingredients with modern cooking techniques.
Making it one of the best cooking classes for a journey into contemporary Cusco culinary traditions.
Cost: $55.00
Time: Approximately 4 hours every day. Morning class starts at 10:00 am and afternoon class at 3:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
RELATED: 10 of The Most Authentic Peruvian Desserts You Want To Know
4. Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop
The ChocoMuseo in Cusco is one of the most unique museums in South America. Its goal is to educate and showcase the artisanal world of bean-to-bar chocolate making.
What may look like a boutique shop filled with chocolates, jams, teas, and dessert is actually an educational space.
This culinary studio is designed to immerse visitors to Cusco in the world of chocolate. From growing the beans to refining the cacao beans and then transforming them into chocolate.
Under the guidance of a master chocolate instructor, you’ll spend 2-hours learning to make your own chocolate from start to finish.
You’ll learn about Peruvian chocolate and how it is made with extremely high quality cocoa beans. You’ll experience the traditional chocolate processing methods which have been refined over time.
As you make your own chocolate creations, you’ll also have the opportunity to add unique flavors.
Depending on your tastes you’ll be able to add sea salt, truffles, chili powder and many more options.
This artisanal chocolate making workshop is unlike any other cooking class in Cusco.
Appropriate for all ages, it is an amazing experience with delicious Peruvian chocolate that you can savor again.
Cost: $25.65
Time and Length Approximately 2 hours. Classes start at 8:30 am, 11:00 am 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
5. Most Comprehensive Private Cooking Class in Cusco
If you want to dive into the cooking techniques and history of Peruvian cuisine, this private cooking class is for you.
This professional cooking class in Cusco takes a 6-step approach. You’ll start with the basics of the Peruvian kitchen and gastronomy.
You’ll then taste a variety of superfoods and superfruits from the Andes and learn all about them from your professional Peruvian chef.
The techniques to make mind blowing fresh ceviche will be revealed to you. As well as how to make the emblematic lomo saltado Peruvian dish.
Other Andean and Peruvian specialties will also be introduced in this cooking class. You’ll try cuy or guinea pig, causa potatoes, aji de gallina, a wonderful chicken dish and much more.
During this Peruvian cooking class, you’ll taste various Peruvian pisco’s and learn to make pisco based drinks like chilcano, and others.
This private Cucso cooking class is dedicated to the emblematic local foods found in the country.
And, it’s a great experience and fun culinary journey to savor the flavors of Peru with your own private chef.
Cost: $130.00
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Classes start at 9:00 am
Group Style: Private cooking class with a minimum of 2 people
RELATED: 10 Strange Amazonian Fruits From Peru That Will Surprise You
6. Private Market Tour & Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class in Cusco
For a personalized Cusco culinary adventure enjoy a private market and cooking class experience with a local.
At San Pedro market in Cusco, you’ll learn about the local ingredients and taste delicious breads, cheeses, and exotic fruits.
In the cooking workshop space, you’ll prepare four different delicious dishes. As this is a personal class, you can tailor the menu for vegetarian or vegan dietary preferences, if necessary.
As you learn about Peru and the cuisine, you’ll sip on local beverages. Try muña tea, a mint-like herbal drink native to the Andes, mate de coca and pisco sours.
Examples of some of the traditional dishes you’ll learn to make include avocado and quinoa. A variation of ceviche known as ceviche tiradito, where the raw fish ingredients are mostly sliced will delight you.
While Lomo Saltado, a main dish will surprise you with a local Andean tarwi sauce, with hints of lemon or lime juice.
This Cusco cooking class is offered in the morning and afternoon allowing you to easily fit it into your schedule.
This personalized cooking class with a Peruvian chef will be a highlight on your trip to Cusco.
Cost: $49.00
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours every day. Morning class starts at 9:00 am and afternoon class starts at 3:00 pm
Group Style: Private class with a maximum of 6 people.
READ MORE: Cusco Food Guide: 10 Foods To Have And Where To Eat Them
7. Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo
Beyond teaching you how to make Peruvian chocolate, ChocoMuseo also offers Cusco cooking classes.
This 4-hour cooking class combines a visit to the local San Pedro Market with a unique cooking experience. Unsurprisingly, the dessert offered in this cooking class is chocolate based.
After discovering fresh Peruvian ingredients at the vibrant local market, you’ll head back to the cooking studio to start cooking.
Under the guide of the chef, you’ll learn how to prepare several traditional Peruvian dishes.
The class begins with a lesson on ceviche. You’ll learn about the different types of ceviche, as well as how to make them.
For the main course, you’ll cook lomo saltado with beef strips, onions and tomatoes. This is paired with some of the most delicious french fries you’ll ever eat.
Finally, for dessert, you’ll make chocolate fondue with high quality Peruvian chocolate. This is a decadent dessert that features melted chocolate and loads of different fruits to dip in it.
Pisco Sour, Peru’s most famous cocktail will be served as well as some non alcoholic beverages.
In the end, you’ll enjoy your dinner while connecting with your local host. This Cusco culinary adventure with a chocolate finish is best for chocolate lovers.
Cost: $49.50
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes start at 5:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you want to dive into one of the best cuisines in the world, see our book, Authentic Food Quest Peru. This delicious guide takes you on a culinary journey through Lima and Cusco, two of the top food cities in the country. Get to know the regional cuisines in Peru and the typical dishes, desserts, beverages, street foods and unique produce. Find Authentic Food Quest Peru on Amazon.
What to Consider When Choosing a Cooking Class in Cusco
These best cooking classes in Cusco all offer authentic Peruvian cooking experiences.
Some classes dive deep into the traditional cuisine, while others offer you a vast menu or great adventures.
As you plan for your cooking class in Cusco historic center, here are a few things to consider.
What Kind of Peruvian Cooking Class Experience Do You Want?
During our trip to Cusco, we were amazed by the range of authentic Peruvian dishes, drinks and desserts.
Choosing the perfect cooking class has to be based on your personal tastes and preferences.
Would you prefer a morning class or an evening one?
Would you like to take a trip to the market before the class and learn about the local fresh ingredients?
Do you want a private class or are you comfortable in a small group setting?
Based on your personal preferences, make sure you choose the one that suits your taste.
What Is Your Budget for Your Cusco Cooking Classes
These cooking classes in Cusco differ in experiences as well as in budget. The best Cusco cooking classes range from about $25 to $130 USD.
All cooking classes in Cusco continue to adhere to Covid safety guidelines. And, the cooking classes have a free cancellation policy that allows you to opt out up to 24 hours in advance.
The cooking classes in Cusco range between 3 to 4 hours and are offered in the morning or afternoon.
More Local Food Experiences and Recipes
10 Authentic Peruvian Drinks You Will Absolutely Love
A Guide To Cusco San Pedro Market: How To Best Visit Cusco Main Market
The 6 Criollo Dishes You Should Eat in Peru
Nikkei: Amazing Japanese Peruvian Cuisine That Will Make You Salivate
Discovering Ceviche in Lima, Peru
The Best Guide to Chocolate in Oaxaca
A Powerful 30 Day Maca Diet – The Superfood of the Incas
The Easy Way to Make Mazamorra Morada – Peruvian Corn Pudding
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Claire is co-founder of Authentic Food Quest and a lover of simple and exquisite cuisine. Since 2015, with her partner, Rosemary, she has been traveling the world as a digital nomad, creating content about local food experiences.
Her advice from visiting 45 countries and more than 240 food cities has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post. She has also co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
An ex-mechanical engineer, Claire is responsible for SEO, keeping the website running, and the fun food & travel videos on YouTube.
When Claire is not eating, she can be found running or cycling. Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
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