Culinary Travel is a Family Affair at Mexico's Esencia Resort in the Riviera Maya. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If you can stand the heat...

Seasoned gourmet travelers and aspiring foodies of all ages can now unlock the secrets of traditional Mexican cuisine from a top chef at Esencia Resort. Esencia - a 29-room luxury boutique resort in Playa Xpu-Ha (50 miles south of Cancun) on a two-mile stretch of fine white sand beach - now offers one-day cooking classes with celebrated Chef Alejandro Rojas of Four Seasons and James Beard House fame.

Children between the ages of 4 and 8 can learn the  finer points of botanas, Yucatecan appetizers, and tasty salsas, or even sate their sweet tooth at the Mini Pastry Chef class. Those in the 8 to 12 range are welcome in the Junior Chef class, while adults can attend the Executive Chef class and learn how to turn out a six-course traditional Mexican meal, including botanas, soups, salsas & moles, and entrees like Chile Relleno, and Tikin Xic Fish. And most importantly, each chef is outfitted with the proper attire including apron and chef hat.

"We developed these classes because many guests wanted to learn how to make the destination's regional dishes," explains Chef Rojas. "Guests are becoming more sophisticated about foods and are no longer happy just to taste but also want to know how the food is prepared. For kids, this is a great opportunity to inspire a love for cooking."

For more information, visit HotelEsencia.com.

- The Travel Snob