Speaking Spanish Market at the Santa Fe School of Cooking

Another Unique Weekend in Santa Fe

It seems like the good times just keep coming—that’s how summer in Santa Fe keeps us jumping. This weekend, our town looks back through centuries to the Old World with the annual Traditional Spanish Market weekend.

Santa Fe is blessed not only with traditional arts but also with deep family traditions of artistry, where generations pass down time-honored skills. The same goes for culinary artistry. Cooking with family or friends is a meaningful bonding experience, and that’s one of the reasons our classes are so popular—along with the fact that our regional cuisine is simply delicious.

Spanish Tapas: A Taste of Spain

A perfect example of Spanish flavor and culinary connection is our Friday, August 8th Spanish Tapas class. Tapas may have started as bar snacks, but they’ve evolved into a refined and diverse cuisine. We send you home with all the recipes, so you can gather with your food-loving friends or family to recreate the meal at home—perhaps as the sun sets on a summer evening.

This class includes a full menu of authentically Spanish dishes: Warm Toasts with Tomato Spread and Serrano Ham; Baked Spinach with Goat Cheese and Onion Compote; Grilled Beef with Smoked Sea Salt Caramel; Mediterranean Salad; Shrimp with Almond and Pine Nut Sauce; and for dessert, Magdalenas, which are similar to French madeleines but made with olive oil instead of butter.

Treasures of Spain

On Tuesday, September 16th, we revisit Old World flavors in our Foods of Spain class, centered around an impressive Traditional Paella with Chicken, Seafood, and Chorizo. Spanish settlers brought stone fruits, grapes, and domesticated animals to New Mexico in the 16th century, launching a centuries-long fusion of cultures. This class honors Spain’s culinary traditions before those influences blended with Native and local cuisine.

You’ll start with Pear Bisque and Feta Cheese Crisps, followed by a refreshing Cucumber Salad with Serrano Ham and a Tomato Port Vinaigrette. After the Paella, dessert features a Cardamom Saffron Crema Catalana. Don’t worry if you don’t have a traditional paella pan—we carry them in our Market, along with other specialty Spanish products.

Get Your Hands On It

Our hands-on classes are always in high demand, and August is nearly full. If you love rolling up your sleeves in the kitchen, act fast for August and start planning for September. These classes include tamales, tacos, rellenos, salsas, sauces, and even soups—who knew there were so many passionate soup lovers?

We offer “Tacos and More Tacos,” “Tamales and More Tamales,” and classes on New Mexico essentials. These are perfect for group learning and family bonding. Watching a young chef proudly craft a tortilla is something special. We also recommend our August 9th Fajitas Class—not hands-on, but packed with skills and flavor.

And There’s Chile

August and September mark the height of chile-roasting season in Santa Fe. The scent of fresh roasted chile fills the air, and roasters pop up everywhere. Want to take some home? Grab a sack—or better yet, learn to roast your own using our stovetop roaster, perfect for chile or fresh vegetables.

We offer a full schedule of chile-focused workshops: August 7 Red Chile, August 14 Green Chile, August 21 Red Chile, August 30 Chile Amor, and September 4 Green Chile Workshop.

Loving the Contemporary

While we honor tradition, we also celebrate innovation, which is why we recommend checking out the Contemporary Hispanic Market this weekend. Just as new art forms build on old ones, so too do our Contemporary Southwest Classes refresh classic ingredients with modern twists.

These demonstration-style classes explore new interpretations of southwestern cuisine. Join us and see how familiar flavors can come alive in creative ways. Upcoming dates include August 16 (Contemporary Southwest II), August 19 (Contemporary Southwest Light), and August 26 (Contemporary Southwest I).

Get Your ¡Olé! at Home

If you can’t make it to class but still want to cook, check out our online offerings. A streamlined version of our Spanish Tapas class is available for home learning.

Looking Ahead

Our full September class schedule is now available, and by early August, we’ll have October through December ready to go. If there’s a class you’d like to see or a Market item we don’t currently offer, let us know. We’re always learning—and always excited to cook with you.

Visit Santa Fe School of Cooking for details and to book your next class.