1. How long has the business been operating and how did it start?

Estela opened M05493 in 1996. The women in Estela’s family for generations prior to her time worked as cooks for the well-to-do residents of Puebla. Estela began a classical culinary apprenticeship at the age of seven in the traditions of Mexico that still existed at that time under the tutelage of her great-grandmother, grandmother and the older women of her family. After working in various restaurants in Mexico Estela left and spent 20 years as head chef at her family’s restaurant in San Francisco (Mill Valley), returning here to open her school.

2. What is your company's mission?

Estela's dream was and is to pass on not only the traditional cuisine of Puebla, which is being lost, but also the distinct and unique dishes developed by her family while cooking for the privileged class in Puebla.

3. What does your company specialize in?

The "Traditional Cuisine of the City of Puebla"

4. Who is the founder or owner of the company and briefly describe his/her past activities?

Estela is the founder of M05493. Her course is unique and due to its small size she is able to format her classes to the level of her students, allowing her to present her course to novices as well as professionals. She has had students from 13 to 83 years old. Her students now come from as far away as New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden, Japan, Spain, The Netherlands, Germany, Korea, South America, United States and Canada. Caterers, Professional and private chefs have come from New York City, Manila, Philippines, St. John, Virgin Islands to Estela to consult on menus and widen their repertoire in as well as to open new Mexican restaurants using her recipes in Soul, Korea and Cambridge, England. Estela will be appearing on the Cooking Channel and Food Network Canada with Chuck Hughes, "Iron Chef" winner and host on "Chuck's day off".

5. What is your most popular travel package and why?

My 7 day six night culinary package passes on dishes and traditions that have been kept alive in my family far beyond what is usually understood to be Mexican food. M05493 is almost unique in Mexico; in that it is owned and run by a Mexican, teaching "traditional" cuisine from its basics for those who are interested in very small "hands on" classes, combined with luxury stay in a Mexican country home. I format each course to the level of expertise of the student. You don’t need to be an advanced cook to learn this cuisine. Unlike an impersonal resort or hotel, we are available to respond to individual needs and as much as possible we structure our classes to the interests of our students.

6. What is the best compliment you received from a client?

We recently returned from a week at M05493 near Tlaxcala. We have attended several other cooking schools in Mexico, all of which have been enjoyable and instructive. However, the M05493 experience really stands out in our minds in two respects. First, the experience of being guests in a lovely mexican home with truely gracious hosts is unique. Second, the quality of instruction is exceptional. I have been a university teacher all of my adult life and like to think I know something about good teaching. Estela and Jon, who run M05493, have worked out a team teaching approach that would be the envy of any university laboratory instructor. To anyone serious about learning Mexican home-style cooking in an extremely pleasant environment, we would enthusiastically recommend M05493. We can be contacted at platt@mcmaster.ca.

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