We had a great afternoon sampling the delicious Colombian fruit at the market and then making traditional Colombian food and having the opportunity to eat it!

We try to take cooking classes in every new country we visit. This one was above and beyond compare. It had all the components of each, topped off with being in the presence of a top quality chef. This tour had knowledge sharing. We went to the market and wee shown and tasted the foods of biodiverse Columbia with a passionate host and the chef. This tour had authenticity. This chef could be working in 5 star restaurants, I can tell you, I’m a foodie. His platings were magnificent! Instead, he is committed to preparing each ingredient the way it has been traditionally prepared by his ancestors - as we learned to when we cooked in his kitchen. This tour was fun. There was music, there was grinding corn for the Mesa - and traditional drinks to try. This tour had great food. Finally, this tour had warmth. We felt like we were family making a meal together and enjoying ourselves so very much. You will miss out on in a piece of Colombia if you don’t make time for this experience.

This was by the far the best experience we had in Bogota! The afternoon started with a tour of the market where we learned (and tasted!) about an incredible array of fruits and veggies we have never seen before. Hector was the perfect translator who provided his own insights to not only food but the Colombian culture. Chef Juan is a standout chef who showed us new skills in the kitchen and created some dishes that just burst with local flavor. We felt like we were leaving new friends when the meal was over.

My husband and I toured the Paloquemao Market with Maria and completely loved it and her. Maria was very knowledgeable about the various fruits that we sampled, and we thoroughly enjoyed the tour. This was our first tour with Traveling Spoon, and it definitely won't be our last. We can only hope all of our future guides are as fun to hang out with as Maria was. Thanks!

We met Gerardo when picked us at our hotel for our market visit, cooking class and dinner. We picked up his wife Sandra and went to the Paloquemao market, one of the largest in Bogota. Gerardo and Sandra said there are numerous markets in the city but they go to this one because most of the produce and products come the farming areas of Colombia and the produce is very fresh. We had the chance to sample many fruits and veggies that are only found in Colombia. The hosts purchased produce and other foods for our cooking and dinner. Then we drove to their home. Sandra did the bulk of the cooking, we helped out and she gave some tips about prep. The funniest one was the stone she used to push the knife thru the con cobs to cut them into pieces. Gerardo said it is also on his head when he doesn’t listen to Sandra. We made “smashed” plantains that we fried and served with a cooked tomato salsa. Then made a chicken soup “Ajiaco”, that had chicken, 2 types of potatoes and corn and fresh herbs. Served with capers and leche garnish. Sandra also made pork ribs, barbecued served with rice. Various other side dishes including guava paste served with a slice of cheese and juice from an exotic Colombian fruit ( we can’t remember the name of the fruit). We also had Aguardiente antioqueno, a clear alcohol drink with a slight anise flavor. We had it straight, then Sandra boiled vanilla sugar with herbs and then made a tea that was added to the straight drink. Very yummy. All in all, it was a most memorable experience. Gerardo and Sandra and family are the most warm and generous people. I would encourage folks to consider this experience. I would certainly visit with them again.

Our first Traveling Spoon experience is one we will never forget!! We met Gerardo and his wife at their lovely home before heading over to the local market in Peloquemao to pick up the ingredients we would need for the dishes we were to prepare. While at the market, we were able to sample a number of delicious and unique fruits native to the region as well as view the expansive flower selections outside the market. After this, we arrived back to their home where we prepared a ajieco, friend plantains, and a delicious tea made with mint, cinnamon, and plenty of aguardiente!! Both Gerardo and his wife were friendly and patient as they taught us how to prepare these items. Of all the delicious food we had in Colombia, this was one of our favorites.

Great experience! The market was amazing and the cooking experience was fun and enjoyable! Highly recommended.

Gerardo and his wife picked us up at the GRand Hyatt and then they walked through the sections of the Peloquemao market. By 9:30AM the flower makret was still active, and there were flowers and other plants that we had never seen before! The fruit was amazing, with samples from most of the stalls. There's even a place to have a Mexican breakfast inside the market. we didn't buy any meat, but that part of the market has every animal part available. We bought a large piece of Bagre del Rio, which we cooked at the guide's home, nearby. My wife and I were the only 2 on the tour, which is the way they like it. And us, too!

This was our favorite activity in Bogota! We had the best time with Juan as we toured a local market tasting all types of fruits, then had a coffee tasting and then went to cook our dinner together! Juan is an excellent chef who did a lot of the prep work for us and let us just do the fun stuff! We helped make arepas, a shaved coconut desert, fish tamales, and more! We then got to sit and enjoy our 7 course meal as Juan plated and served us with delicious cocktails. 10/10 would recommend to couples or groups of friends looking for a cool, intimate, local experience.

My friends and I wanted to immerse ourselves in Colombian cuisine and I asked to learn how to make arepas. Little did I know, we were in for a whole arepa themed menu. During the market tour, we visited the nearby market and tried local fruits and jumpstarted our arepa journey with a few tastings at the market. Chef Juan had the cooking class planned out really well and each of us took on a different arepa dish. The kitchen was a perfect size for our group of 6, Chef Juan, Jose, and two other cooks. After we each cooked our arepas, we sat down to drinks while the chefs finished the dishes and we were served a gorgeous meal. Every single dish was absolutely amazing. I thought it was also very well organized as the whole experience went smoothly. We had a blast cooking with Chef Juan!

We had so much fund and learned a lot about the Colombian culture with this experience! The hosts are super nice and kind and we felt like home. The food is so good. we recommend everyone to take this experience!

Our experience with Camillo went beyond our expectations. He is such a cool and entrepreneurial young man. He/we cooked and served up the most delicious food in his commercial kitchen near the markets. Such an interesting set up. When our driver (organised by Camillo) picked us up, we were a little unsure what to expect but I can honestly say we did not stop smiling the entire time. We shopped, we cooked, we chopped, we ate, we drank, we learnt about Columbian food and culture and we had an incredible day. Huge thank you also to Jose (Camillo’s Uncle) for being a charming host and translator. Also thank you to the kitchen team who helped to make our experience so special Muchas Muchas Gracias from Suanne, Laurence and Gemma (Australia)

I tried twice to book a cooking class in Bogota, Colombia with this company. They don't respond and after some period of time, they send you an automated message saying "oh wow looks like you didn't hear from anyone so we cancelled your reservation." Really? Seems nobody is home.