1 week cooking course and adventure excursions around Todos Santos, Baja California Sur
Cooking tour in Baja with Dany Lamote, head chef of the famous Hotel California in Todos Santos and author of several cookbooks.

Days will be spent in the glorious nature of Baja, learning about the local plants and fish that give the area such a unique cuisine, while nights will be spent with Chef Dany, learning to prepare these savory local dishes. A sampling of Mexican beer, wine and/or tequila will accompany each meal.

This tour is perfect for food enthusiasts who want to understand more about the natural state of their ingredients, as well as for adventurers who want to enjoy outings in nature. In addition to classes with Chef Dany, local chef Viviane Jáuregui will prepare a different Mexican breakfast specialty each day.


Itinerary:

Day 1
Check into your room at Los Colibris in Todos Santos. Welcome reception with guacamole and margarita demos followed by a “Gourmet Taco” dinner and sampling of Mexican Beer

Day 2
Breakfast: Chef Vivi’s Famous Mexican Breakfast
Morning: Historical Tour of Todos Santos. Tour the beautiful historic district and learn about the colorful Chinese, American and Mexican residents that have shaped the town over the years. Visit the galleries of several local artists who live in and draw their inspiration from Todos Santos. Lunch at Hotel California.
Afternoon: Punta Lobos Beach Walk / Fish-Buying Expedition. You will walk the beautiful beach near Punta Lobos to greet the local fishermen as they come in. You will buy fish for the night’s cooking class.
Dinner: Chef Dany’s Seafood Dinner and Class, with sampling of Mexican wines

Day 3
Breakfast: Chef Vivi’s Famous Mexican Breakfast
Morning: Visit to a local tortillería where you can make your own flavor of tortilla dough from local ingredients. The tortillería will then have the tortillas ready for use in your evening cooking class.
Cactus Sanctuary: You will head across the desert to a magnificent forest of cacti, where you’ll be enveloped in a world of towering, spiny forms of incredible variety and beauty. You will learn about all kinds of cactus, including those that are edible. Desert lunch that features cactus salads and other delicious treats made from desert plants.
Afternoon: Visit to Local Organic Farm, where the owners will give you a tour, explain their organic farming techniques, and give you an opportunity to pick your vegetables for the evening cooking class.
Dinner: Chef Dany’s Dinner and Cooking Class, with sampling of Mexican wines

Day 4
Breakfast: Chef Vivi’s Famous Mexican Breakfast
All day: Trip to San Vicente and visit to La Candelaria Mountain Pottery Artisans, a fantastic opportunity to experience the traditional way of life of the mountain ranchers in Baja. You will meet local pottery artisans in a true mountain oasis. Doña Ramona and her family will give you a cooking class, sharing fantastic family recipes handed down through the years. Driving is 90 minutes roundtrip.
Dinner: Chef Dany’s Dinner and Cooking Class, with sampling of Mexican wines
Evening: Champagne, Stars and Cactus. Beautiful evening of bird watching and star-gazing with local astronomer, accompanied by a glass of champagne. Aztec, Mayan and Greek mythologies explained while exploring the skies.

Day 5
Breakfast: Chef Vivi’s Famous Mexican Breakfast
FREE DAY: You can be as active or as idle as you like. Options include horseback riding, surfing lessons, fishing, birdwatching, yoga classes, dharma talks, massage, manicure/pedicure, lazing around.

Day 6
Morning: Cliff Walk and Beach Picnic. Terrific scenery featuring sea lions, birds, whales and cactus. Picnic lunch on pristine, palm-ringged beach. Swimming at the beach. 3.5 hours of walking, unlimited time for lunch, swimming, relaxing on beach.
Evening: Farewell 5-Course Tequila Dinner. Chef Dany will share recipes from his cookbook for tequila-based appetizers, entrees and desserts. Tequila sampling. Dancing at the Hotel California after dinner.

Day 7
Breakfast: Chef Vivi’s Famous Mexican Breakfast
Transfer to the airport and departure.

2008-2009 Tour Dates (please enquire for further possibilities):

- November 16-22, 2008
- February 1-7, 2009
- April 13-19, 2009