Santo Domingo Hands On Afro Taino Cooking Class and Dinner

Come curious and leave with new flavors, new stories and a deeper connection to Dominican culture. Join a five-course cooking experience that explores the Indigenous and African influences found throughout Dominican food. The term Afro-Taíno may sound unfamiliar, but many of the ingredients, flavors and traditions are part of everyday Dominican cooking. You don't need cooking experience or previous knowledge of Afro-Taíno culture. Just come ready to cook, taste something different and learn more about the food and people of the Dominican Republic. The experience is led by Maribel, a Dominican chef who trained professionally in Imola, Italy, before returning home to cook Dominican food. As you prepare the dishes, you will also hear the stories and history behind the ingredients. This cultural part is shared by anthropologist Giulia or another knowledgeable team member. Each dish is based on historical and anthropological research, including work by Marcio Veloz Maggiolo, José Juan Arrom, Sidney W. Mintz, Judith Carney and Jessica B. Harris. After cooking, everyone sits down together to enjoy the five-course meal. This is a shared experience lasting approximately 2–3 hours.