Meet
Manuel
Manu is a professionally trained chef who specializes in modern twists on classic Mexican cuisine. After working in kitchens across Canada, Spain, and Norway, he returned to Mexico to reconnect with his roots. Now based in Puerto Vallarta, Manu works as a private chef and loves sharing authentic Mexican food and culture with travelers.
He welcomes guests to his charming home near the city center, where he teaches hands-on cooking and offers insight into Mexico’s vibrant culinary traditions. Manu can accommodate all dietary needs and is always happy to recommend the best local spots for tacos al pastor, aguachile, pozole, and more.
"I love to cook and share my passion for food with others," Manu says, and every guest leaves with both new skills and unforgettable memories.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(2-14 guests)
Enjoy an authentic and unforgettable dining experience in Puerto Vallarta at the home of Chef Manu, a professionally trained private chef. Manu creates modern, flavorful dishes that blend traditional Mexican cuisine with global influences from Asia and the Mediterranean. Your personalized Puerto Vallarta dining experience features a curated menu of classic and creative dishes, which may include fresh ceviche, shrimp enchiladas, crispy volcán tacos, chiles rellenos (stuffed chilies), Vallarta-style gorditas (masa pockets stuffed and baked or fried), shrimp aguachile marinated in lime and chili, or tender ribs and chicken in salsa verde. Perfect for couples, families, and food lovers, this intimate home-cooked meal offers more than just delicious food, it’s a chance to connect with a local chef and immerse yourself in Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant food culture.
Cooking experience:
(2-14 guests)
Join Chef Manu in his cozy Puerto Vallarta home kitchen for an authentic, hands-on Mexican cooking class. In this immersive culinary experience, you’ll learn to prepare three traditional dishes completely from scratch, such as fresh ceviche with the catch of the day, flavorful panela enchiladas, and shrimp, octopus, or mushroom al ajillo.
Guided by Manu’s expertise, you’ll discover traditional cooking techniques, local ingredients, and the cultural stories behind each recipe. The cooking portion lasts about an hour, after which you’ll sit down together to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve created.
For guests who prefer a meat-based menu, Manu can customize your experience with dishes like tender beef shanks or ribs in salsa verde. Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a home cook, or simply curious about Puerto Vallarta’s rich culinary traditions, this Mexican cooking class is a fun, interactive, and memorable way to experience local culture through food.
Market visit:
(1-14 guests)
Embark on a guided Puerto Vallarta market tour with Manu at Mercado Cinco de Diciembre, just an 8-minute drive from his home. Immerse yourself in the vibrant sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Mexican market as you explore fruit and vegetable stalls, a tortilleria (tortilla factory), carnicería (butcher), and pescadería (fish market). Learn how to select the freshest ingredients for your meal. Afterward, return to Manu's home, where you'll use the ingredients you bought at the market to cook an authentic Mexican meal together. This Puerto Vallarta market tour and cooking experience is perfect for travelers seeking an authentic, hands-on cultural experience. Learn about Mexican ingredients, traditional cooking techniques, and savor the vibrant flavors of the region in a local, personalized setting.
Notes:
1. Manuel is happy to prepare a vegetarian menu upon request. Please let him know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance when booking your Mexican cooking class in Puerto Vallarta.
2. Guests who select the optional alcohol add-on can enjoy local Mexican beer or white wine with their meal.
3. Manu shares his home with a small, friendly lapdog. If you prefer not to be around pets, simply let him know and he will keep the dog in another room during your experience.
Languages spoken:
Spanish, English
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Manu is very easy going and nice to talk to. We had a fun conversation and he shared a ton of interesting anecdotes to accompany the meal. The dishes had a traditional feel with some modern touches, he is a really fast cook and really neat at that! I truly recommend him as a Traveling Spoon Host.
Ismael, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
My husband and I had a special experience today. We took a private cooking class with Manuel Zuliaga in Puerto Vallarta after reading so many positive reviews on Trip Advisor. He is a trained chef and a good teacher.We met Manu at a Mexican market and discussed options for the class. We decided on a fish dish with a smokey sauce and guacamole. Also we chose a delicious shrimp dish and made salsa verde . At the market Manu was so knowledgeable about some of the peppers and vegetables unfamiliar to us. Back at Manu’s home, we not only enjoyed an outstanding lunch but learned new techniques to use at our home when we recreate this meal. He made the class very fun and relaxing and he is sending me the recipes . We highly recommend this cooking class . You won be disappointed!
Pat and Nancy Carroll
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pat and Nacy
March 09, 2026
We had a wonderful day with Manu! We loved going to the market and seeing and learning about all the local produce and seafood. We appreciated being able to choose our two dishes, and that Manu adhered diligently to our allergies. The two dishes Manu made for us were EXCELLENT. Manu was charismatic and welcomed us into his home with his little dog Max. We did think that we would be involved in the actual prep and cooking, but perhaps that was my fault for not reading more of the reviews in advance. Overall, we really enjoyed the afternoon!
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michell
February 24, 2026
chef manu is great. we learned about new ingredients and new techniques. the market
tour was authentic and his food very tasty. highly recommend this experience!
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varley
February 19, 2026
It’s a ‘can’t miss’ tour. Being guided through the Mercado and seeing Chef Manu carefully select the ingredients for your meal and explain the various differences in products he was picking for your meal just made it so personal an experience. When arriving at his home you feel less like a guest and more like a friend. And he cooks an amazing meal! Very willing to take the time to answer questions and even teach skills! We have been slicing fresh peppers wrong our whole lives! Glad to be set straight! We all stopped talking when the food was served and that is the absolute best review you can give because you’re just too busy eating. Can’t recommend enough how wonderful we found this and have now decided it will always be included in our future trips to PV.
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debbie
February 18, 2026
We both had an excellent time wandering through a local market to select seafood and fresh produce. Manu was extremely knowledgeable about all the local dishes and ingredients; we learned a great deal about peppers, limes, unknown vegetables, and the fresh seafood being packed for shipment out to the restaurants. The actual class at his home was both delightful and educational, and the dishes oh-so-tasty. Learned new techniques, had a great conversation with the very personable guide, and felt we both had a most wonderful experience.
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gary
February 15, 2026
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