Tasty-by-maria

Tasty by Maria is the personal chef and catering business of Chef María, who graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Orlando in 2007 and spent 14 years in banquets and catering. Her cooking draws on the traditional food of Guatemala, where she was born, and paella is her specialty. Cooking classes are a newer part of her business.

Each class runs about two hours and focuses on one Latin American dish. You also get a paired cocktail, some cultural background on the food and a sit-down tasting or meal. Classes are about 80% hands-on, so you spend most of the time prepping, cooking and plating your own dish. She provides aprons and all the ingredients. Classes take place in Saint Augustine.

All skill levels are welcome, and so are kids. Any cocktail can be made non-alcoholic if you ask. She can also cook around dietary restrictions if you tell her ahead of time. Private group sessions are available on request. Tasty by Maria has a 5 rating on Google from 10 reviews.