As we relished the range of savory and sweet tamales, including the delicious Oaxacan tamales wrapped in banana leaves, we began to feel that we were learning not just the techniques but also the aesthetics of Mexican Cuisine.

Rachel Laudan

Author of "Food of Paradise"

Recently on a visit to San Miguel de Allende, I had the great pleasure of attending a cooking class at Marilau Cooking School. It was an extraordinary experience. She first sent me a menu of options of dishes to cook, and I chose three—sopa verde, arroz verde, and pollo con salsa de pipian—none of the more common dishes one typically finds in Mexican (or tex-mex) restaurants in the eastern United States. I am delighted to now be able to add these delicious dishes to my repertoire. Marilau explained the techniques clearly, the proper way to prepare these dishes, and her hands-on teaching technique ensured that I would learn them by having done them myself. All the dishes had ingredients easily obtainable in the States, yet with that unmistakable Mexican flavor. We then had a memorable restaurant-quality meal. Marilau is a talented teacher, a font of knowledge about Mexican regional cuisine and many other things, and a delightful and interesting person. I wish I had had the time to take more classes from her. On my next visit to San Miguel, I will plan to spend more time there to take advantage of her other offerings. I highly recommend Marilau Cooking School. It greatly enhanced my visit to this magical city.

Leslie Hunter

June 2021

Dear Marilau, We had such a lovely day with you. Thank you for all the wonderful information. We will each return home with memories of a great day and new cooking skills. The bonus is that we made a new friend and we will hope to see you again. Happy cooking and happy painting. The world is a better place because you are in it! I hope our paths cross again. Con Gusto, amiga!

June Forman

March 10, 2023

Maria is an excellent teacher with a fine command of English (as well as Spanish). Her enthusiasm and knowledge about the cuisine of Mexico are outstanding. I speak from my own experience as a cooking teacher of more than 30 years when I praise her classes when I recommend her classes to anyone with an interest in cooking!

Kurt Yuoungmann

February 23, 2012

MariLau, quiero agradecerte nuevamente por la excelente clase que nos diste. La disfrutamos mucho y sobre todo aprendí muchas cosas que a pesar de ser Mexicana, no me habían pasado por la cabeza. Pero aparte de eso, tienes una personalidad que me encantó y la hizo todavía más disfrutable. Saludos y gracias.

Janneth López Ordaz

20 de Julio, 2012

Hi Maria: I have to just tell you one more time. I had a couple over on Saturday, both of them are gourmet cooks having also taken lessons in Mexico. I served the mole again and they loved it. Once again… thank you. Have a wonderful holiday and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Nancie Gilbert

December 15, 2008