Host offerings
Viviana has worked as a professional in the food industry for 23 years. She has vast experience in the kitchen, having worked the line at numerous establishments and as a private chef abroad. Parallel to that she also built a career in publishing, working as a recipe tester and developer and as a food writer and editor for various magazines and cookbooks. Currently she owns and operates a catering business from her home cooking studio, where she also conducts cooking classes on traditional Puerto Rican cuisine for locals and tourists. <br><br>When we asked Viviana, what should travelers expect during their experience with you, this is what she had to say, “I believe that it is through tradition, food and the gathering at the table, that you can really get to know a country and its people. Knowing its food and its table antics, makes it easier for the traveler to navigate through the country they are visiting.” And we couldn’t agree more!
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 - 11 guests) Viviana is professionally trained in French and International cuisine and is also very passionate about the gastronomy of Puerto Rico. Viviana is proud to share her abundance of knowledge and skill on Puerto Rican cooking through her family recipes, passed own passed down through generations and start a conversation of rich cultural exchange. A few dishes that you will share will Viviana at her dining table are tostones (smashed fried plantains), arroz con habichuelas (rice and stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin) and piñón de amarillo y picadillo (sweet plantain lasagna with spiced ground beef). A sweet treat of homemade panetela de guayaba (guava shortbread) will be served with coffee to finish the meal.
Cooking experience (1 - 11 guests) Join Viviana in her beautiful home cooking studio for your Puerto Rican cooking class in San Juan, a dream kitchen that has been built thoughtfully over the years. Learn to cook two traditional Puerto Rican dishes in your 1.5 hour hands-on San Juan cooking class. You will learn to make sofrito (a mix of aromatic herbs and vegetables, it is used as a vegetable base for arroz con habichuelas, stewed beans with Caribbean pumpkin), and crispy tostones (smashed fried plantains). Discover traditional recipes, hands-on techniques, and enjoy a taste of the island's vibrant flavors. Perfect for all skill levels! After cooking, share the meal you helped prepare with your host in her dining room.
Notes: Viviana can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, lactose free and gluten free meal requests. Please let her know in advance, while booking your experience.
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007faf02f8a148>
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.
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | $65 | $65 | $65 |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $125 | $125 | $125 |
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| In-Home Meal | 12:00pm - 02:00pm | 5:30pm - 07:30pm |
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 10:00am - 12:00pm | 4:00pm - 06:00pm |
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.
