MASA y TAMAL WORKSHOP
A DAY OF COOKING AND CELEBRATION
MASA MEMORY Workshop at Zuma Canyon Orchids
Saturday December 9th 2023
10am - 5pm
“In our family, we all have our favorite methods and ways of making tamales. Each family and region in Mexico has a different technique, with the thread and the heart of creation all being intertwined at the core.
There is a shared understanding that certain foods are a right of passage - to prepare and cook them is an honor and a privilege.”
WORKSHOP DETAILS
We are so excited for this worksop in Los Angeles!
Making Tamales is one of the most special traditions to me. Tamales are so much more than food. They are a sacred cooking ritual - revealing layers of celebrations, family practices, heritage and a connection to Maíz. Making tamales is a ceremony and celebration of the love, care and respect for the time that goes into making each one... no two are the same. They are an offering of gratitude to the land, soil and rain.
Sharing my love of food, especially my love for Mexican food, is a true joy for me. Our team at Masa Memory and Zuma Canyon Orchids and I are looking forward to meeting everyone… as well as to learn, cook and eat together!
-April
MASA Y TAMAL WORKSHOP
WHEN: December 9th, 2023 from 10am until 5pm
WHERE: Zuma Canyon Orchids
THE DAY WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS:
OFRENDA - meaning offering . . . this is exactly what Maíz is, a beautiful offering. To celebrate, for this part of the workshop, we will go through the history, steps and process of how to soak and grind maíz for masa. For this, will be using our Organic Heirloom Maíz grown in Oaxaca.
TOUCH - Groups will be led through a tamal making workshop with April Valencia and a guest chef. After, everyone will have the opportunity to join in to make their own masa and tamales to take home.
TASTE - We all sit and eat a meal together, including tamales made by the group.
INCLUDES:
-Cooking classes and hands-on session with April Valencia and a guest chef. Including all materials for: soaking maíz and grinding, making masa and cooking your tamales. Each guest will leave with their own box of tamales to take home.
-Welcome packet with everything you need to take notes for the workshop.
-We will share two ways of making tamales: plant-based, using Masa Memory organic olive olive, as well as organic lard from Zuma Canyon.
-We will use ingredients from the Zuma Canyon including: herbs and greens for our meal together and organic lard for tamales, from their regenerative farm.
-An early Masa Memory group meal, together at the farm.
-Zuma Orchids walk on their 10 acre land, to visit and learn about regenerative practices, their animals and native trees on the property.
-Outdoor tamal cooking workshop, with traditional open fire.
-All guests will leave with a gift from our farm partners in Oaxaca and Arizona, to plant in their home gardens.
ITINERARY
10 AM - Masa Memory cacao Champurrado welcome drink. Champurrado is a chocolate-based atole, a warm and thick Mexican beverage, made with masa harina.
10:30 AM - Maíz soaking and grinding how-to.
11:15 AM - Farmer’s market snack before we begin making Tamales.
11:45 AM - Tamale workshop begins.
2:00 PM - Putting Tamales in Pots.
2:30 PM - Farm walk to visit the avocado orchards, animals and fruit trees.
3:15 PM- Return to collect tamales out of their cooking pots and make boxes to take home.
3:45 PM - Gather around the large oak table, reflect on our day and share a meal together, including the tamales we made that day!
5:00 PM - Group offering and goodbyes to new friends and community.
YOUR HOSTS
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Masa Memory Founder, Chef and Artist based in Los Angeles and Mexico. Her work is rooted in a deep love for home-cooking, storytelling and soil advocacy.
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A regenerative farm, educational center, apothecary, and a center for the arts. Regeneratively raising a mix of livestock, vegetables, and over 50 varieties of fruit trees. With a goal to enhance soil health, while utilizing minimal outside inputs.
