Get to know the woman behind some of the most delicious experiences in Mayakoba.

From exploring the canals that run through lush mangroves in a kayak to discovering the underwater beauty of the Caribbean during a snorkeling tour, there is no shortage of opportunities for discovery and adventure in Mayakoba. Among this extraordinary experience selection, there is one in particular that guests book over and over: the Cooking Class at El Pueblito. Led by Chef Sandra De La Mora, this immersive, interactive session invites you to explore Mexican flavors, ingredients, and traditions –all while putting your culinary talents to practice. We talked to Chef Sandra to learn more about her story: her love for cooking, her endless creativity, and her encounter with one of the most renowned chefs in the community.

From Designer to Chef: Discover Chef Sandra De La Mora’s Bio

Chef Sandra didn’t exactly plan to be a chef. Although she always loved cooking, she set out to be a graphic designer, driven by her passion for art and creativity. That curiosity and love for learning inspired her to take all sorts of courses and classes. Even as a busy mother of two small kids, she embarked on a series of gastronomy and history courses at schools like CESSA, Casa Lamm, and Ambrosia in Mexico City, without suspecting they would lead to her true calling. “Around that time, I met a chef, and I started helping her with design,” she says, “and we eventually became business partners.”

Soon enough, she joined in the action in the kitchen, and the business expanded, growing from office catering services to large parties for hundreds of guests. Still hungry to explore her creative side, Chef Sandra took photography classes and explored the art of food styling, which led her to work with some of the top brands in the industry and even be part of two books. This passion for beauty and aesthetics still inspires many of the projects she leads today.

A Mayakoba Classic: Cooking Classes at El Pueblito

To Chef Sandra, her arrival in Mayakoba was somewhat written in the stars. “During the pandemic, I took a course that taught me a lot about the history of food,” she remembers. “It came in handy because at my job interview for Mayakoba, I had to prepare mole and talk about its history and meaning.” Her culinary skills and love for storytelling earned her the job, and she quickly began making friends across Mayakoba’s resorts, doing demo classes for other chefs and concierges. Soon enough, the Cooking Classes at El Pueblito became a hit.

A few years later, the classes have become a Mayakoba staple. Here, among pans, knives, and aprons, guests learn about Mexican ingredients and traditions. They chop, blend, and sautée, creating delights that range from tetelas and tacos to mole and desserts. Most of all, they immerse themselves in the beauty of Mexican cooking and its power to bring people together. “My greatest satisfaction is to see guests happy,” says Chef Sandra. “When I hear them say ‘wow,’ that’s music to my ears.”

A Bucket List Dinner in Mayakoba

Among the many milestones Chef Sandra has experienced in Mayakoba, there is one that she keeps close to her heart: cooking for legendary Chef Thomas Keller of The French Laundry in Napa Valley. “I wanted to make something very Mexican, so I cooked him mole,” shares Chef Sandra.  Impressed by her food, Chef Keller invited her to spend a few days in his kitchen, where she immersed herself fully. “I learned so much about aiming for excellence,” she says. “I spent time in the garden, I had dinner with the chef, and I felt so grateful for the opportunity.”

Chef Sandra’s Vision for Experiences at El Pueblito

With Mayakoba as her canvas, Chef Sandra has let her creativity free, designing new ways for guests to experience the destination through taste. These days, she and her team serve and offer private dinners at the Rosewood Residences and Fairmont Residences, and they created a Tasting Room at El Pueblito, where guests can explore everything from the world of agave to edible insects. On the horizon: banquets served at El Pueblito, and perhaps a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy sunset drinks and live music. “I love having this space –it’s my window to show who we are as Mexicans.”

Learn more about the talented team who bring Mayakoba to life:

• Female Talent: Meet the Women Who Elevate Every Moment of Your Stay in Mayakoba
• Experts in Fun: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Fairmont Mayakoba Kids Club
• A Thai Journey: Discover the Secrets Behind Saffron at Banyan Tree Mayakoba