Meet Cinty at her apartment and then drive for 7 minutes by car to the nearby Guadalupe public market. It is one of the biggest wet markets in Makati, where you can find stalls selling fresh meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruits. There is so much buzz and chatter around as most of the locals come here to shop - you will get a small glimpse into their everyday lives while also learning about the local produce. The market also has stores selling traditional baskets, affordable apparel, household cleaning materials etc. Walk around the market area and then Cinty will take you to her favorite sellers to buy ingredients for your cooking class.
For your Filipino cooking class in Manila, join Cinty in her spacious home kitchen and learn to make two dishes from scratch. You can expect a culinary experience that aims to showcase Filipino favorites, whether they are traditional dishes or vegan/vegetarian alternatives. You will either learn to make an appetizer + main dish or a main dish + dessert. In this hybrid class, you will have the opportunity to get hands-on with the cooking process, together you will prepare the ingredients, learn essential cooking techniques, explore the diverse range of Filipino ingredients, and gain insights into the cultural significance of these dishes. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a complete beginner, this class caters to all skill levels. Discover the secrets behind iconic dishes such as adobo (braised meat/vegetable) or sinigang (sour soup with tamarind), or explore innovative ways to adapt these recipes to a vegan or vegetarian diet. At the end of the cooking lesson, you will sit down to savor the fruits of your labor, indulging in a feast of Filipino delicacies that you've helped prepare, in an intimate setting of your host's home sharing stories, laughter, and the joy of discovering new flavors.
Cinty and her partner live in a condominium in Makati City, in the heart of Manila. Her focus is on plant-forward cuisine using local ingredients. However, she can also offer non-vegan traditional Filipino dishes, please let her know your preference in advance. Apart from sharing a plant-forward or traditional Filipino meal, Cinty will take you through the therapeutic qualities of food, so you not only get to experience the food and hospitality, but also get to understand food as medicine. She will cook a home-cooked meal using the principles of culinary nutrition to heal and nourish, and will also incorporate the essentials of Filipino hospitality. The meal you will share is a blend of techniques and recipes from Cinty’s mother's kitchen as well as her nutrition certification classes. A few dishes that you may try are Filipino classics such as grilled eggplant omelet with mince, chicken and pork adobo, hot rice and caramelized banana eggrolls or vegan specials such as pomelo salad or pumpkin soup, curried tofu skewers with a peanut dressing, cucumber salad and vegan cake or protein balls.
Cinty can accommodate lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan diets, please let her know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions, while booking your Manila cooking lesson online.
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.
Menu C: Red/Green Cabbage Asian Pomelo Salad with a Signature Dressing or Vegan Pumpkin Soup + Curried Tofu Skewers with a Peanut Dressing + Cucumber Salad + Vegan Cake or Protein BallsMenu B: Grilled Eggplant Omelet with Mince + Braised Chicken and Pork Adobo + Rice + Creamy Leche FlanPlease choose one menu from the below options (all menus can be non-vegan, vegan, or vegetarian): Menu A: Mixed Filipino Vegetables in Shrimp Paste + Filipino Pan-seared Beef Steak with Onions + Rice + Filipino Caramelized Banana RollsCinty is a certified nutritionist and wellness chef, who is a plant forward lifestyle advocate, educator, speaker, culinary nutrition coach and consultant, and registered yoga teacher. Cinty also runs her own business where she sells plant-based products since 2017 - to help people nourish their minds and bodies through small, mindful steps. Before Cinty started her own business she worked in hotel and restaurant management, for over 30 years. It is her passion to share the joy of cooking, as well as, an opportunity to showcase Filipino hospitality and total wellness by using the therapeutic qualities of food.
"What a fabulous host! Beautiful and smart. Excellent food with fresh, healthy ingredients. Thank you, Cinty. I highly recommend your cooking class for travelers and native Filipinos."
"5 Stars! We had an amazing personal cooking class with Cinty and would recommend for anyone who is seeking a unique, tailored experience in the heart of Manila. Cinty is a wonderful host and exceptional chef. Her passion for cooking was palpable from the moment we began, and her expertise was evident in every technique. She had a knack for making even the most complex recipes seem approachable and manageable. The personalized nature of the class was also impressive. Rather than sticking to a menu, Cinty took the time to tailor the different parts of the meal to our preferences, down to making adobo two ways and adding a bit of seaweed we happened to walk by at the market because it would pair well with one of the sides. Cinty specializes in plant based recipes, and this is showcased in her preparation of king oyster mushroom sisig. I have vowed to try to recreate this at home! Overall, this personal cooking class exceeded all of our expectations, and was not only a fun and educational experience but also a truly memorable one."
"I wish to comment on Cinti’s warm hospitality. The entire environment was so complementary to the welcoming greeting we received and her attention to all our needs. I look forward to purchasing her cook books. Five Stars plus!"
"Cinty was the most hospitable host with the most gifted and delicious menu. She took our family under her wing with such kindness and patience. She made us feel like family and that we’ve known each other for years. It was the best experience I have had and the most delicious meal I have throughly enjoyed! I would highly recommend her to anyone who wants an experience of a lifetime!"
