Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquiries
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Seasons of my Heart Cooking School is located on a ranch between two small villages San Lorenzo Cacaotepec, Etla, and San Felipe Tejalapam, Etla northwest of Oaxaca City in the State of Oaxaca, Mexico. Click here to open map
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Absolutely! We do ask that you contact us well in advance with possible dates and interests of the group. We have done tours for groups of chefs, wedding parties, family groups, and friends of varying lengths of time within Oaxaca and also in other areas of Mexico. Private classes can also be arranged.
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You can send us an email to info.seasonsofmyheart@gmail and we can help you book the class and give you other payment options.
Market Tour & Cooking Class
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The market tour and cooking class are primarily conducted in English, but our chefs and guides are fluent in both Spanish and English. You'll have the opportunity to learn new vocabulary and practice your Spanish (or English) with our local staff and fellow participants.
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We operate tours and cooking classes for a minimum of six and a maximum of 18 attendants.
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If we need to cancel the class due to low attendance, we will notify you via email by the Monday prior to your scheduled event. You will receive a full refund, along with options to reschedule and a discount on a future class.
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We are usually able to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please let us know of any requests or allergies when booking the market tour and cooking class.
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Absolutely! Whether you’re a family, a group of friends, or a wedding party, we offer customized tours and private cooking classes tailored to your needs. Contact us with your preferred dates and group interests, and we’ll create a memorable experience just for you.
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Yes! You may join us for the lecture and hands-on cooking class portion of the day, starting at 1 PM. You would need to provide your own transportation to Seasons of my Heart Cooking School and then you can ride back with the rest of the group.
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A staff member will meet you at the market for the tour. All of our guides speak English and are highly qualified to guide you through the market as you meet the vendors and taste their wares. Chefs Susana or Kaelin Trilling typically conducts the lecture and supervises the cooking portion. When she is not available, another member of our staff, who has been with us for over 20 years, Yolanda Giron leads the lecture and cooking portion of the class. Classes led by Yolanda are identified on the website.
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Our Wednesday classes usually feature an appetizer, soup, salad, mole or main dish with tortillas and a dessert, featuring seasonal ingredients. They change constantly so it is possible to take more than one class and have a different menu each time. We try to accommodate dietary restrictions/requests as much as possible, but please let us know in advance.
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No experience is necessary! We have plenty of staff on hand to help you, recipes to guide you and the lecture portion will address any tricky parts of the preparation. Your fellow students are also typically eager to help. We all work in teams and there is something to do for all levels of cooking. If you really don’t want to cook you can just hang out for the fun!
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Yes! We love sharing the kitchen with kids and will provide age-appropriate tasks to ensure everyone can participate at a level they're comfortable with.
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No kitchen experience is necessary! Our friendly staff is always available to assist you, and our recipes provide clear guidance. The lecture portion will cover any tricky parts of the preparation, and your fellow students are typically eager to collaborate. Everyone works together in teams, with tasks suitable for all skill levels. If you'd prefer not to cook, you're welcome to relax, enjoy the atmosphere, and savor the meal!
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In addition to food items, the Central de Abastos Market offers a variety of artisan goods, including handmade textiles and pottery. Please bring cash (pesos) if you plan to shop at the market.
Seasons of My Heart Cooking School also has a small on-site store, featuring a selection of our signature products such as mole paste, chocolate, jellies, sea salt, and herbs. You'll also find a variety of pottery, wooden handicrafts, handwoven textiles, and Susana Trilling’s cookbooks, among other unique items. It’s the perfect place to take home a piece of Oaxaca’s culinary and artisanal heritage! Payments are accepted in pesos, US dollars, and credit cards; however, we do not accept personal checks.
Tips for our talented and hardworking staff are always welcome and can be given in pesos.
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Yes, simply send us a message via the contact from below and we can help you book the class and give you other payment options.
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If you need to cancel your class, please notify us as soon as possible by replying to your confirmation email or using the contact form below. We provide:
Full Refunds: For cancellations made by the Sunday prior to your scheduled Wednesday Market Tour & Cooking Class.
Partial Refunds (50%): For cancellations made more than 24 hours in advance.
No Refunds: For same-day cancellations or no-shows.
Thank you for your understanding!
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Please contact us as soon as possible at info.seasonsofmyheart@gmail.com or by phone at + 52 951 508 0469 (from the United States) or from Oaxaca at 951 508 0469.
*If you are unable to come the day of the class, please let us know and we really appreciate it!
Culinary & Cultural Tours
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The minimum number of participants is 8, and the maximum is 12.
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We are usually able to accommodate dietary restrictions. Please let us know of any requests or allergies when registering for the tour.
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You will have ample opportunities to shop in the markets, when visiting artisans, and during your free time. There are ATMs and currency exchanges near the hotel.
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Once you pay in full, we will share the itinerary with you.
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A detailed letter with a packing list will be sent, together with the itinerary for the course a few weeks before your departure!
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You should receive an email confirmation every time you make a payment, typically within a week of receipt, if paying by check.
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If Seasons of My Heart cancels the course, all course fees paid directly to Seasons of My Heart will be refunded. There is no charge to transfer any fees paid to another course. We try to allow as much time as possible for student registration before canceling a course. Please check with us to see how the registration is progressing before purchasing non-refundable airline tickets. You will be notified at least 6 weeks prior to the course if we need to cancel. We also strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events.
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If you are unable to join us:
A partial refund, less $ 300 USD will be given. (excluding the single supplement, which will be reimbursed in full) will be given if the participant cancels 61 days or more in advance.
A refund of fifty percent of the total price paid thus far will be given, unless the space is filled by someone else. Then a partial refund, less $300 will be given. (excluding the single supplement, which will be reimbursed in full) will be charged if a participant cancels 60 to 30 days prior to the course.
When the cancellation occurs between the 29th day to the first day of the course, no refund will be given unless the space is sold to another participant. If the space is filled, then a partial refund, less $300 will be given. Cancellations will be analysed on a case by case basis, as long as we are notified by writing.
If applicable, the single supplement (less any penalty applied by the hotel, if any), will always be refunded.
NOTE: A written notification must be received prior to refund
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We strongly encourage trip insurance in case of unforeseen events.
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Airfare, transfers to and from the airport, additional alcoholic beverages, laundry, and phone calls.
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You can tell us how many nights you need and we can book them directly with the hotel for you. You will have to pay at the hotel at the time of check-in.