Meet
Alex and Ale
Alex lives with his wife, Alejandra (Ale), in the heart of downtown Mexico City, just steps from the Plaza de la Constitución. Alex is a kindergarten teacher at the American School Foundation, while Ale is a professional tour guide with a deep passion for sharing Mexican culture and cuisine. Her extensive knowledge of the country’s history, anthropology, folklore, and culinary traditions brings an enriching dimension to every experience.
Alex’s love for cooking was inspired by his grandfather, who served delicious nopales (grilled cactus paddles) during Sunday family meals. He learned by watching his mother in the kitchen and experimenting on his own, often inspired by food shows on TV. Today, he brings that same joy into his classroom, where he teaches his 6-year-old students how to cook. Both Alex and Ale love nothing more than gathering around the table with friends and family, sharing good food, great stories, and warm hospitality.
Alex was featured in The New York Times! Read about Frugal Traveler Elaine Glusac’s memorable experience with Alex in Mexico City here.
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:
(2-6 guests)
Savor a homemade Mexican meal in the heart of Mexico City, hosted by the warm and welcoming Alex and Ale in their vibrant, modern apartment. Their cooking blends contemporary Mexican flavors with traditional Pueblan cuisine, inspired by Ale’s roots.
As you sip on a welcome drink, Alex and Ale will share stories about the deep cultural significance of food in Mexico. Then gather around the table to enjoy a thoughtfully prepared meal featuring 3-4 dishes, one or two flavorful salsas, and a delicious homemade dessert. You might try dishes like picadillo tostadas, enmoladas, flautas, or an assortment of tacos, paired with classic salsas such as salsa verde or roja. Your meal will be complemented by refreshing beverages like hibiscus water, with the option to add unlimited local beer or mezcal for an additional cost.
If there's a specific Mexican dish you’ve been wanting to try, just let Alex know when booking - they're happy to personalize your experience. Dining with Alex and Ale offers not only an unforgettable meal, but a true taste of local life and hospitality in Mexico City.
Cooking experience:
(2-4 guests)
Step into Alex and Ale’s charming, welcoming home in Mexico City for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare 3 - 4 traditional Mexican dishes. You might make favorites like flautas, tostadas, or enmoladas - corn tortillas filled with chicken and covered in rich, homemade mole, a beloved cacao-and-spice sauce that's both flavorful and surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
Because their kitchen is cozy, you’ll do most of the prep work in the adjacent bar area, then move into the kitchen for the final cooking. Have a specific dish in mind? Let Alex and Ale know when booking - they’re happy to tailor the experience to your interests and introduce you to the flavors of Mexico you’re most excited to explore.
Market visit:
(2-4 guests)
Join Alex and Ale for a guided visit to the vibrant San Juan Market, a traditional market in the historic center of Mexico City known for its gourmet and exotic offerings. Famous for its rare meats like venison, crocodile, wild boar, and even lion, the market is also a treasure trove of fresh produce, dried chilies, spices, mole pastes, and other culinary staples.
As you explore the market together, Alex and Ale will introduce you to the ingredients that define Mexican cuisine, offering insights into their uses and cultural significance. You may also get the chance to sample a few local delicacies along the way. After the tour, you'll walk back to their home to begin your hands-on cooking experience.
Please arrive on time to Alex and Ale’s home for the market tour; since the market closes at 5 PM, a prompt start ensures a relaxed and enjoyable visit without feeling rushed.
Notes:
1. This Mexico City cooking class is great for couples and families with children.
2. Since Alex works during the day, he is only available for dinner experiences on weekdays. Please note that market tour + cooking class + dinner experiences are not available on Wednesdays. On weekends, both Alex and Ale are available for all experience types - lunch or dinner.
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish
Sample menu
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
We felt like two more Mexico downtown residents during the time we spent with Alex and his wife Ale. First in the exotic market of San Juan, where Alex invited us to try some gourmet baguettes (mascarpone, honey, strawberry and pecan nuts) before showing us the most typical stands there (which include tiger and crocodile meat!), then while cooking enmoladas and philosophizing about gastronomy and Mexico, sipping mezcal.
Alix, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Traveler reviews
This was a very fun way to experience Mexican cuisine as an avid home cook. Meeting and coordination of timing was easy via Whatsapp. The fact that were invited into a family's home kitchen is a special privilege. Alex was friendly, engaging and hospitable. He chose a vegetarian meal in accordance with our dietary preferences. He had already done partial preparation of the mise en place such that the whole dinner (appetizer, main course and dessert) was cooked and enjoyed within 3 hours. The pace was not rushed and we enjoyed beer and wine while discussing principles and tips in preparation. We didn't just watch Alex cook, but instead took turns at the stove, cutting board or blender while he talked us through the steps. The meal itself was delicious and recipes simple enough to replicate at home a week later. He also sent us an helpful infographic with the recipes. I never would have dared to attempt birria at home before this. Overall a very fun experience for an avid home cook like myself.
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samara
May 15, 2026
We had a fantastic experience with Alex and Ale. We visited a local market and bought our fresh produces and we then went back to Alex and Ale’s home to cook great tacos gobernador. Alex and Ale were very generous with their time and gave us great tricks for our cooking. We highly recommend this experience.
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danny
April 03, 2026
Our time with Alex -- from a market trip to cooking and a fun meal together -- was maybe THE highlight of our time in Mexico. Alex is a wonderful host (Ale was out of town and unable to join) who introduced us to the neighborhood and its history, toured us around the market, and guided us in the preparation of a truly outstanding meal. He accommodated our dietary preferences with enthusiasm, and with his culinary training and experience, he helped us understand some of the nuances of Mexican cuisine and cooking techniques, just right for our experience level. He's also a warm and generous host, and we had a fun conversation over the delicious meal we prepared together. I highly recommend this experience, and my family is grateful to Alex for his hospitality.
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john
March 01, 2026
One of our favorite travel experiences, not just in Mexico City but anywhere in the world. Ale had a conflict, but Alex was a wonderful host, taking us to a market to shop, walking us through a meal prep, and then cooking a delicious three-course lunch. He was warm and gracious, patiently tolerating my clumsy Spanish when I wanted to practice, then conversing in flawless English for the rest of our visit. A memorable experience.
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tom
February 15, 2026
We had an incredible experience during our cooking lesson. Alex and Ale were exceptional hosts who made us feel welcome. The techniques we learned were valuable, and I look forward to incorporating them at home. I was pleasantly surprised by how our simple, fresh, and high-quality ingredients transformed into a delicious and enjoyable meal. This experience was not only a fantastic way to learn about the culture but also enhanced our trip significantly!
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Rashad
April 07, 2025
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