Opening Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 12 - 5pm | Closed Monday & Tuesday

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina Unveils Culinary Education Program for 2024

LA Cocina de Gloria Molina, a culinary teaching kitchen and extension of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes nestled in downtown Los Angeles celebrating its second anniversary, is excited to announce its immersive culinary program for the first half of 2024. With more than 30 enriching opportunities, with more added weekly, both Angelenos and out-of-towners alike will have the chance to explore the vibrant tapestry of Mexican and Mexican American gastronomy through talks, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on classes.  

The program features rotating classes, ensuring visitors will always discover something new. Upcoming offerings include chef Danielle Zecca of Amiga Amore teaching two Italian Mexican fusion cuisine classes, including ceviche, albondigas and pasta. Amiga Amore is a 2024 James Beard Emerging Chef semi-finalist.  

Other programs planned in the following months include traditional Yucatán dishes (black recado), as well as chorizo verde with local favorites Evil Cooks, and the Milpa 101 Series, focusing on gardening and cooking using a Mesoamerican intercropping system adapted for urban environments.  

In addition to talks, tastings, and hands-on classes, LA Cocina de Gloria Molina will debut book reading and signing events, starting with cookbook author Nicole Presley.  

Since its opening in March 2022, nearly 1,000 attendees have enjoyed these programs, which offer a range of prices from $30 to $115, along with complimentary monthly free demos.  

“The sessions are extremely intimate; they're almost one-on-one experiences with chefs and traditional cooks. Attendees are able to ask anything,” says Natalie Martinez, LA Cocina coordinator. “The experience can give them a new angle on how to make old dishes or throw them into the past of cooking with their mom. They also promote the chef’s brand and create community.”  

While most of LA Cocina attendees are women ranging from 30 to 40 years old. Wine tastings, chorizo making and baby feeding classes, as well as free demos, are also popular among men. Many of the attendees are second- or third-generation Mexican Americans trying to connect to their culture.  

For the complete program schedule and registration details, visit www.lapca.org or Eventbrite.com 

LA COCINA DE GLORIA MOLINA PROGRAMMING 

Hecho con Amor: Ceviche with Amiga Amore - Mexitalian
February 22, 2024 | 7 pm | $65 | Ages 18 + 

Sabor a Durango (Taste to Durango): Jamoncillo
February 24, 2024 | 10 am | $65 | Ages 18 + 

Plática y Prueba (Talk and Taste): Celebrating the Life and Work of Elena Zelayeta
February 29, 2024 | 7 pm | $30 | Ages 18 + 

Plática y Prueba: Wines from El Valle de Guadalupe
March 7, 2024 | 7 pm | $45 | Ages 21 + 

Hecho con Amor: La Cocina de Sobrantes
March 9, 2024 | 10 am | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Milpa 101 Series: Class #1: Garden Planning
March 16 | 12 to 2pm| Free 

Hecho con Amor: Yellow Tail Ceviche
March 21, 2024 | 7 pm | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Hecho con Amor: The Chili Queens and The Invention of Tex-Mex
March 23, 2024 | 10 am | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Plática y Prueba: “Viva Desserts!” A Cookbook Signing with Nicole Presley
April 4 2024 | 7 pm | $35 | Ages 18+ 

Hecho con Amor: Pressed Flower Tortillas
April 6 2024 | 10 am | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Hecho con Amor: Feeding Our Babies: Indigenous First Foods
April 13 2024 | 10 am | $65 | Ages 18+ 

Hecho con Amor: Albóndigas and Pasta with Amiga Amore - Mexitalian (Mexican – Italian)  
April 18 | 7pm | $65 

Milpa 101 Series: Class #2: Planting Seeds 
April 20 | 12 noon to 2pm| Free 

Sobremesa - Culinary Journeys: Exploring Afro-Latin Heritage through Food and Stories 
April 20 | 4pm | $40 

Hecho con Amor: Introducción to Recado Negro with Evil Cooks 
April 25 | 7pm | $65 

Milpa 101 Series 
May 11 | 12 to 2pm | Free 

Hecho con Amor: Vegetarian cooking by Velazquez de Leon
May 11 | 10am to 12pm | $65 

Hecho con Amor: Mole Amarillo 
May 18 |10am to 12pm | $65 

 To see the entire program, visit Upcoming Programs on www.lapca.org