Cooking Class La Fortuna
Cooking has always been a bonding experience for our family. We've explored various cuisines and techniques together, turning our kitchen into a space filled with laughter, delicious aromas, shared memories and lots of dancing! Recently, we decided to take our culinary adventures to the next level by attending a cooking class at El Fogón de Chela, a family owned and operated kitchen known for its immersive and authentic experiences.
The beautiful layout when we arrived with farm to table ingredients.
If you are looking for a fun family friendly activity to do near La Fortuna we highly suggest El Fogón de Chela located about 10 minutes from downtown La Fortuna. Our instructor (Chela), built her business from the ground up, drawing inspiration from the treasured recipes passed down by her grandmother. What sets El Fogón de Chela apart is its exceptional inclusivity and commitment to personalized experiences. (She even accommodates various food restrictions)!
Each class at El Fogón de Chela is private, allowing Chela to seamlessly integrate age-appropriate lessons tailored specifically to our family. This unique approach ensured that both our 2-year-old and our newly turned 6-year-old were active participants in this culinary adventure.
Chela showing the birthday girl how to prepare the pepper to be cut
Chela helping our youngest learn to cut Chili Dulce
(Bell Pepper)
El Fogón de Chela specializes in traditional Costa Rican cuisine, and we couldn't have been more excited. Creating a full Casado with handmade tortillas, we immersed ourselves in the rich tapestry of Costa Rican flavors. Chela skillfully guided us through each step, sharing anecdotes and tips that added a personal touch to the experience.
A casado (Spanish, "married man") is a Costa Rican meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, a tortilla, and an optional protein source such as chicken, beef, pork, fish, and so on.
Now it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I don’t even have the words to describe how flavorful and amazing this meal was, the kids cleaned their plates.
Chela went above and beyond to make our 6-year-old's birthday truly special. As an unexpected and heartwarming surprise, she presented our daughter with a beautiful birthday cake, turning the cooking class into a celebration of flavors, laughter, and cherished memories.
Happy girl with her birthday cake!
This experience at El Fogón de Chela became more than just a cooking class—it was a magical and hands-on gift that will be fondly remembered for years to come. The thoughtful gestures, combined with the joy of learning and creating together, made this culinary journey a truly exceptional and personalized family experience.
