Salsa & Mezcal Cooking Class with El Molcajete Sauces

Saturday, November 7, 2026

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

$95 per person

Experience the vibrant flavors and rich culinary traditions of Oaxaca in this hands-on cooking class presented by El Molcajete Sauces. Explore the art of making traditional Mexican salsas, discover unique Indigenous ingredients, and create your own delicious huarache while learning about the history and distinctive flavors of mezcal.

Whether you're passionate about Mexican cuisine or simply looking for a fun and flavorful culinary experience, this workshop offers a delicious opportunity to explore Oaxacan traditions through food, culture, and hands-on cooking.

What You'll Do

This interactive workshop begins with an introduction to traditional Oaxacan ingredients and salsa-making techniques. With guidance from El Molcajete Sauces, you'll prepare three different salsas from scratch using fresh ingredients, roasted chiles, tomatoes, tomatillos, and time-honored Mexican cooking methods.

You'll also explore traditional Indigenous ingredients from Oaxaca, including chapulines (grasshoppers), and learn about their cultural significance and role in the region's culinary heritage.

Next, you'll create your own huarache, a traditional Mexican dish featuring a thick, elongated masa base cooked on a griddle until tender inside and lightly crisp outside. Choose your favorite toppings and finish your creation with the freshly prepared salsas.

To round out the evening, you'll discover the world of mezcal, learning about its Oaxacan origins, traditional production methods, and distinctive smoky character, with an opportunity to enjoy mezcal alongside your handmade food.

You'll Learn:

• How to prepare three traditional Mexican salsas from scratch

• Techniques for roasting chiles and balancing flavors

• The history and culinary uses of Indigenous Oaxacan ingredients

• How to prepare and assemble a traditional Mexican huarache

• How different salsas and toppings complement one another

• The origins, production, and unique flavor characteristics of mezcal

What's Included

• All ingredients and cooking materials

• Hands-on instruction from El Molcajete Sauces

• Three freshly prepared salsas

• Ingredients to create your own huarache

• An introduction to traditional Oaxacan ingredients

• A guided exploration of mezcal with an opportunity to enjoy it alongside your food

• A delicious meal featuring your handmade creations

Event Details

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery – Community Classroom

Price: $95 per person

Instructor: El Molcajete Sauces

Experience Level: All levels welcome! No prior cooking experience is necessary.

Takeaway: Enjoy a delicious, hands-on culinary experience while gaining new salsa-making techniques, an appreciation for Oaxacan food traditions, and the confidence to recreate these vibrant flavors at home.

Join us for an evening of bold flavors, traditional cooking, and cultural discovery as we celebrate the food and spirit of Oaxaca!

Photo Consent:

We love sharing photos from our workshops on social media and in our marketing materials. By attending this event, you consent to being photographed. If you prefer not to be included in photos, please let our staff know at check-in.

Parking & Location:

You can find general parking in the gravel lot. An ADA parking pad is available south of the Farm house. The classroom is located in the white building with the black trim west of the gardens. Check in at the Farm store in the front of the building.

Address: Prairie Fruits Farm Classroom, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL