FAQs Culinary Tours

4MINREAD

Written by:Claire Dean

Last Update: 2025-01-20

Here are some frequently asked questions about the culinary tours and experiences offered at Valencia Travel

Peru and Gastronomy are synonymous, thanks to its huge range of fresh ingredients and world-class chefs, While Lima takes much of the international limelight, with a few top-end eateries in the top 10 world restaurants, Cusco is fast becoming Peru’s second foodie hub. Visit both on a comprehensive cooking class Peru trip!

Cooking Class

How can I get in touch with your Travel Specialists?

Please call us at (+51) 84 255907 or write to us here.
Our Travel Specialist will be in touch in 24 hours to start working on your culinary program, which will be fully customized based on your needs and requirements.

Why book a culinary tour with Valencia Travel?

Valencia Travel offers a full-service approach with one goal: to help you learn about Peruvian culinary culture and enjoy tasty and top-quality food. Our culinary tours are different from typical ones and therefore require the planning of an experienced travel agent. Since this sector is in fast development, we constantly create new classes and culinary activities for our client's culinary activities for our clients. This sector is in immediate action, continually developing with new restaurant openings, ingredients and culinary trends.

Valencia Travel offers a number of excellent cooking classes in Lima and Cusco on your Peru tours. On a Lima gastronomic tour, you can concentrate on the magnificent "mariscos" and other food from the Ocean, with Lima's coastal location making it perfect to sample the catch of the day. Cusco gastronomic tours & cooking class are the option if you prefer to experience Andean Markets and learn traditional Andean cooking methods!

Lomo Saltado

Can I Book a Private Tour?

Definitely. We offer private tours upon request. You can email us here
or give us a call for more information at (+51) 84 255907

Who are our Chefs/teachers?

Our teachers are well-recognized Peruvian Chefs who generally own their restaurants in Lima, Cusco and around the world. They are chefs with several years of experience and, in some cases, internationally awarded. As soon as you confirm your program with us, we will let you know who will be your teacher, their profile and their expertise.

One of the many classic dishes to learn how to cook at your cooking class Cusco is Lomo Saltado. You can sample this iconic Peruvian staple on virtually every street corner throughout Peru and learn how to make one of the first "fusión" dishes that Peru produced The dish originates from Chinese immigrants who used traditional Peruvian fare with a twist!

Expert Chef, Cusco

What food should I expect?

Each of our culinary experiences offers a wide range of foods, so it is best to check each background individually for a more detailed answer. Beware that there might even be small changes due to seasonality regarding vegetables and seafood. However, all the classics, like ceviche, lomo saltado, causa rellena and guinea pig, are very likely on the menu.

Does The Price Include Food and Drinks?

Yes. Tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, a local expert, and all food and drink in the program. If you loved the culinary experience, tips for our guides are not included, so feel free - they sure will appreciate it!

I am a professional Chef. Can you prepare a unique program for me?

Yes, of course! We run programs daily for all kinds of people, from people eager to learn a bit more about Peruvian culinary culture to professional executive chefs worldwide. Our programs are fully customized, and we certainly adjust them to participants’ levels and requirements. They include an extensive culinary curriculum (traditional Peruvian cuisine, Nikkei cuisine, Andean cuisine, and more). We can also provide certificates signed by the chef in charge of the class. Please note that we can organize many different activities and programs to suit your preferences.

Peru of course, reigns supreme when we talk about ceviche. Ceviche originated in Peru of course, so it seems fitting to learn how to prepare it on a cooking class in Lima Peru. Whilst it’s most famous in Lima, thanks to its huge variety of fresh fish, Cusco also produces some of the world’s best trout ceviche.

Classic Ceviche

Can you adapt your tours to vegetarians and vegans? What if I don't eat meat?

We do our best to adapt all our experiences to all types of dietary requirements, restrictions or allergies. However, please let us know at the time of booking so we can allocate an experienced chef for your needs.

Do You Offer Gift Certificates?

Absolutely! We are firm believers in the gift of experience. If you would like to present a loved one with a gift certificate, don't hesitate to reach out; we would be happy to help! Please email us here.

There are alcoholic beverages served on the tours. What if I don’t drink alcohol?

In many of our activities, alcoholic beverages are served. However, if you do not drink alcohol, don’t worry! We will serve you a non-alcoholic drink instead. Of course, non-alcoholic beverages will be served to our guests under 18.

Pisco Sours

What is the usual maximum number of tour participants?

This largely depends on the tour and type of tour selected (Shared or Private). However, generally speaking, we like to stick to small groups (not more than eight pax) to maintain specific quality standards and for all participants to be able to interact with their guide and other local hosts.

Do we have to book in advance?

We recommend booking at least one week in advance to guarantee availability, ingredients and individual chefs.

What languages are your experiences in?

Shared Group tours are usually available in English and Spanish. But if you’d like a private experience in another language, please email us here, and we will see if it’s possible to accommodate your group in the preferred language.

Are your tours family-friendly? If I am bringing an infant/very young child, do I need to purchase a ticket for them?

Again, this largely depends on the experience. In some cases, it will be free; in others, a lower fee will need to be paid, usually depending on your child's age.

A cooking class Peru is perfect for those who are traveling with small children. Many of the cooking classes include specialist workshops for children, so they can also become expert chefs on your Peru vacation packages.

Mini Chefs

How do Valencia Travel tours benefit local communities?

Our tours and activities support the local economy through local guides, and all our experiences include stops in businesses led by small local entrepreneurs. But that’s just the start; we aim to support local farmers in their journey to become entrepreneurs with more responsible business practices. Finally, we are committed to providing experiences that are culturally, environmentally and socially responsible.

How Can I Check the Reputation of Your Company?

We are a legally licensed and operating company. You can read unbiased client reviews via TripAdvisor. Regrettably, Peru has many informal organizations that are not licensed. They leave clients exposed or fail to contribute to the growth and development of the country through legitimate taxes. Make sure your activity organizers are 100% legal before contracting services.

With many of Peru´s cacao farms, Cusco serves up some of Peru’s highest-quality chocolate that you can visit on your Cusco day trips. The best way to taste it? Make your own! The ever-popular ChocoMuseu offers classes where you can learn about Peru’s fascinating cacao history. You will also prepare and decorate your very own chocolates with a range of local goodies to decorate them.

Chocolate Cooking Class

Do we eat a lot during the culinary tour? Does it constitute a meal?

Definitely! We recommend not eating anything other than a light snack before any experience. You will usually buy the ingredients for your dishes as part of the tour and include them in the price with the help of your expert chef.