Host offerings
Lina is half Norwegian + half Chilean, and her daughter is of Mapuche descendent, while her son is part Italian. and she likes to think that her family and home represent a blend of these cultures. She loves traveling and is passionate about living as sustainably as possible, while cooking healthy, local and fair trade food. Lina was raised in a family where food was always the main part of the holidays and family events and hopes to create this kind of family life for her kids as well. Lina has celiac disease, so she has learned to adapt her grandmother’s traditional recipes to her dietary needs. Enjoy this family friendly experience with Lina and her young children Silvio and Aurora. <br><br> Lina has a degree in ecotourism, so be sure to ask for advice as you plan your trip to Chile!
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal (1 - 5 guests) Join Lina and her kids for a meal at their table. She prepares typical Chilean dishes that include influences from the Norwegian cuisine as well as traditional Mapuche culture. Lina likes to use merkén, a dried, smoked chili used in Mapuche cuisine, as well as quinoa in her preparations. You will get to sample seasonal, traditional Chilean dishes such as pastel de choclo (a Chilean summertime version of shepherd’s pie) or pebre (Chilean tomato, chili and herb salsa), charquican (seasonal vegetable stew) or carbonada (beef and vegetable stew), carne mechada (stewed shredded beef) with puré picante (mashed potatoes seasoned with merkén) or porotos granados (bean stew with pumpkin and corn), or empanadas de pino (empanadas stuffed with local pine nuts, ground beef and spices).
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.
Cooking experience (1 - 5 guests) Learn to cook a two-to-three course Chilean meal in Lina's small kitchen. She 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. Your cooking lesson will last one to two hours before you sit down together to enjoy your meal.
Market visit (1 - 5 guests) Meet Lina at the market and learn all about Chilean ingredients. Markets in Chile are lively and can be chaotic, but with Lina’s help you will navigate the busy stalls browsing for the freshest seasonal vegetables. Lina and her family shop at the market weekly for the bulk of their food as they are invested in cooking local, nutrient rich ingredients. Depending on the day of your visit Lina will take you to the best available market. You might visit the Feria Estero Marga Marga in Viña del Mar, the Mercado in Valparaíso, or Caleta Portales, the largest fish market in Valparaíso. Once your shopping is complete you will take public transit to her apartment to start cooking.
Notes: This is a family friendly experience! Lina's young children will most likely be present during your visit.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007f27626fa3c0>
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
We were more than excited to start eating once our charquican and pebre were complete. The charquican felt very authentic and home-style, with a tradition and style that reminded me of my Asian family's favorite fried rice dish. It of course was not very similar in taste, but it's story shared many aspects of tradition, utility, flexibility, and family preferences/secrets. I felt very special to me.
The heart and energy Lina and Leo spoke of came through in the art, the smells, and the tastes of food they prepared. Every part of the preparation told a story and we were more than happy to be a part of the experience. Both hosts are well traveled, well educated, speak impeccable English, and went above and beyond to make their home and their food more than just a plate, but a full experience.
Kelsey and Tims, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | $65 | $55 | $45 |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $70 | $58 | Not offered |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | $95 | $85 | Not offered |
| Alcohol | $7 per person | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 1:30pm - 03:30pm | 7:30pm - 09:30pm |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 12:00pm - 04:00pm | 6:00pm - 10:00pm |
| Market Tour + Cooking Experience + Meal | 9:00am - 02:00pm | 5:00pm - 10:00pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
