Check out two very exciting Mexican cooking boot camps!
Let’s face it, no one REALLY loves sitting around the trailer park no matter how cool your trailer is and no matter how wonderful the weather!
This year, try stepping out of your camp for a few days and indulging in your fantasies. How about toning up your air guitar and connecting with your rock ’n’ roll fantasy, or challenging your little gray cells at adult space camp? And if wine making camp is just not your thing, check out ghost hunter camp.
As the weather starts to turn chilly in the north, many of us begin to think about making our winter vacation plans — to warmer weather, which to us northerners means Mexico. This year, check out two cool cooking camps, or as they’re sometimes referred to, “boot camp cooking” located in the sixteenth century town of San Miguel de Allende.
One can see why this city is home to flocks of snow birds — but don’t let that deter you. The charm of city still shows traces of its Spanish, Creole, and Native American cultures — all of which blend into the wonderful Oaxacan cuisine.
Nestled within the wonderfully preserved architecture are a few cooking camp gems hosted by a number of world-acclaimed chefs and culinary masters.
In the Marilau Mexican Ancestry Cooking School, María Ricaud Solórzanois shares her two-hundred-year-old family culture and heritage, all wrapped in the traditional Latin hospitality.
Get the ABCs of Mexican cuisine (salsas & sauces) in a four-day intensive workshop, or learn the basic techniques for preparing nopales, fresh chilies, and capeado. You can also create your own class — mix and match to create your own menu.
Classes are limited to 10 so be sure to call ahead.
The Hugh Carpenter Camp San Miguel offers a six-day cooking course centered around Carpenter’s cookbooks. Each day you can expect all your senses to be fed. Spend a few hours in a cooking class and a few hours touring the countryside, public buildings and homes, and local artist studios.
This year, Carpenter offers three class schedules (some classes are already filled so be sure and check the schedule before heading out):
January 30-February 4, 2011
February 13-18, 2011
February 27-March 4, 2011
In addition to San Miguel, Carpenter also offers a Napa Valley course, which generally runs July through October.
About San Miguel de Allenda
If you love colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, church bells, intense colors, and endless fiestas and celebrations, San Miguel should be your high mountain desert destination.
San Miguel is located in Guanajuato, Mexico, 162 miles northwest of Mexico City (between three to four hours by car or bus).
In 2008, San Miguel de Allenda was included in the World Heritage list and the Conde Nast Traveler selected it as the seventh best travel destination in the world.
Sights:
Sometimes the “Disneyland” atmosphere can get a little much, so here are two wonderful activities you can enjoy with the locals:
Mineral Hot Springs: There are two small mineral hot springs (La Gruta) and grottos — bordered by stone retaining walls, palm trees, wildflowers, and sprays of bougainvillea and favored by the locals — just about five minutes out of town.
Hiking and Watching: El Charco del Ingenio is a 167-acre ecological reserve spanning cactus-lined canyons and spring-fed pools. You will find easy hiking trails festooned with giant agave and nopal cacti.
Business Resources:
For those of you working remotely, you will find excellent internet access available, as well as business and express services.
Accommodations:
San Miguel RV Park and Tennis Court:
(According to their website)
The San Miguel RV Park and Tennis Courts are located three blocks south of Instituto Allende and one block north of Sterling Dickinson Street at Callejon de San Antonio 16. They are just a 10-minute walk from the jardin or main plaza of San Miguel and are the closest RV park to Centro San Miguel.
There are 12 RV sites (so you will want to make reservations) with full hookups — safe, secure, pets allowed.
Free WiFi
Rate: 2010 (full hookup)
Nightly $20 USD
Weekly $120 USD
Monthly $360 USD
Maximum RV Length:
Truck Campers and Vans – All Lengths
Motorhomes - 26 feet
Travel Trailers – 16 feet
Address:
Callejon de San Antonio #12
San Miguel de Allende
Guanajuato, Mexico 37750
Phone:
Canada and US: (561) 429-7017
International: 011-52-415-152-0659
Email:
