This is a unique opportunity to visit the home of a local and explore traditional culture and cuisine. Join your local host Gabriela and her friend Patricia at her apartment centrally located in the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires for your traditional empanada cooking lesson. Over a welcome glass of wine or beer, enjoy a picada – a traditional Argentinian platter of cheeses, jams, and nuts – on Gabriela’s large balcony. Next, join Gabriela in her kitchen for your hands-on cooking lesson. Learn how to best prepare meat as Gabriela shares her secrets for how to perfect the empanada filling. You will learn to prepare three different fillings, perhaps a chicken and leek, zucchini and cheese, and the traditional Argentinian cheese and jam filling. After cooking, enjoy your empanadas served alongside a fresh salad. End your meal with a dessert of chocotorta, a traditional Argentinian layered chocolate cake or dulce de leche, served with coffee or tea. If you choose the market tour + cooking option, Gabriela takes you on a private tour of the local Belgrano market. This is where chefs shop and where you will discover, sample, and purchase meat and regional produce for your class.