This 7-day course, set in the beautiful backdrop of our Costa Rican jungles and beaches, is designed to guide and inspire future food professionals and committed at-home cooks. 

With Chef Maya, the owner and creator of Puggo’s Chef Restaurant in Montezuma as your guide, you will learn foundational techniques of the kitchen and develop a deeper understanding of culinary approaches such as grilling, frying, baking, pasta making, and so much more. You will expand your knowledge (and palate) by exploring local and international foods and building a diverse repertoire of recipes.  In addition, when you are not in the kitchen, you will be able to immerse yourself in the Pura Vida lifestyle by enjoying our local beaches and activities such as ziplining, yoga, surfing, and snorkelling. 

All your food, drinks, activities, and accommodations are included in the price of tuition making this a truly all-inclusive experience. 

Are you ready to embark on an incredible culinary experience? Our retreat is the perfect opportunity to explore local wildlife, activities, and culture while developing your culinary skills and gaining confidence in the kitchen. Join us and leave with the essential tools you need to continue your journey back home. If you're an open-minded food-lover, don't miss out on this one-of-a-kind adventure!

During her 12 years of living in the Montezuma area of Costa Rica, Maya has established herself as a gifted chef, admired for her creativity and understanding of flavours. Her chef restaurant, Puggo’s, has achieved international success and a large following of loyal patrons. 

Before settling on the beaches of Costa Rica, Maya spent over a decade working alongside international chefs in her home country of Israel. Maya was initially trained in classical French cuisine before her culinary journey led her to national cooking competitions, large convention center kitchens, and guest appearances on television. Her strong passion for food, knowledge of ingredients, and advanced techniques are always the components of her incredible menus. She is inspired to share her expertise and diverse insight into the art of cooking with other food-lovers.  Now, Maya is eager to share her expertise and diverse insight into the art of cooking with other food lovers. Join her on this delicious journey and open your mind to broaden your skillset!

From its beginnings in the downtown center 12 years ago to its current home nestled in the hills of Montezuma, Puggo’s has become an iconic restaurant for tourists and locals alike. Chef Maya’s creativity shines in her menus and her ingenuity sparkles throughout the whimsical garden space. Puggo’s is an open-air restaurant with a full cocktail menu and a center stage perfect for live music.  

 Aves Hotel and Resort is a luxurious, sprawling, consciously designed resort, recently built on the hills of Montezuma with views of the Pacific Ocean. Their spacious facilities and accommodations, which can be shared or private, are built to nurture your heart and mind. On the grounds, you can choose to relax in their lounge pool, burn some energy in their 17-meter lap pool, or reflect in one of Costa Rica’s largest ocean-view yoga studio. The area is surrounded by luscious jungles, pristine beaches, and the iconic Montezuma waterfalls. 

Montezuma is a charming beachside town found on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Its endless beaches, rich jungle wildlife, and picturesque waterfalls have made Montezuma a must-stop destination for tourists from around the world. Thrill-seekers can experience the rush of surfing a wave, ziplining through the canopies, or exploring the terrain on ATVs. For those who are wishing to relax and unwind, there are kilometres of secluded beaches, calming saltwater tidepools, and hammocks swaying in the breeze around every corner. 

Knowing the Kitchen:

Learn about the fundamentals of cooking and familiarize yourself with our fully equipped

kitchen as Chef Maya guides you through the process of making our first lunch together.

Maya will share some of her kitchen secrets and give you time to practice introductory skills,

from proper knife skills to constructing an effective mise en place. Together we will prepare

papaya salad, tuna tartar, beef carpaccio, Puggo's famous focaccia bread and broken potatoes, and a fresh tartar sauce.

Healthy Eating:

Explore the benefits of healthy eating while learning recipes for vegan burgers, cashew cheese,

falafel and hummus, tahini sauce, tzatziki, fresh lettuce wraps, homemade crackers, crunchy

apple salad, quinoa salad, eggplant carpaccio, cabbage steak, broccoli tapas, and roasted

cauliflower.

Raw Foods Class:

Explore the world of raw foods in this cooking class! Learn how to prepare and enjoy a variety

of delicious dishes, from beef carpaccio to different kinds of ceviche, pineapple and beets

carpaccio, fresh rice rolls in an amazing sauce, my secret crackers, and tuna carpaccio. Discover each dish's unique flavors and textures as you create a culinary masterpiece. Immerse yourself in the taste of raw foods and the secrets of creating a balanced and nourishing meal. This class will take your cooking skills to a whole new level, and you'll be able to impress your friends and family with your newfound knowledge.

Playing with Pasta:

Get your hands messy as we play with fresh pasta dough to create many dishes. Add different flavors and experiment with surprising ingredients to make fish ravioli, folded pasta, gnocchi, and seafood risotto. Learn how to compose delicious sauces such as rose, pesto, classic cream and mushrooms, Bolognese, and spicy Arrabbiata. Finally, add freshness with a clean mixed greens salad and light lemon vinaigrette.

Grilling Perfection:

In this hands-on tutorial, we take our skills to the beach to learn the secrets of creating the perfect BBQ party. We will experiment with different cuts of beef, chicken, and pork and develop recipes for various marinades and sauces. We will use naturally sourced ingredients for our banana leaf-wrapped fish and create an exotic menu that includes Arabic salad, grilled veggies, and delicious fresh fruit. We will share classic and creative Gin and Tonics recipes to keep the party going and enjoy locally-brewed craft beer.

Asian Street Food:

Experience the flavors and aromas of the streets of Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam right here in Costa Rica. Learn how to make traditional dishes such as Bau Ban, crispy shrimp, spring rolls, rice paper rolls, Vietnamese rolls, fresh lettuce wraps, seared tuna, fried fish, Pad Thai, ramen soup, fried chicken, and sticky rice. Top off your creations with fresh sauces such as curry coconut, classic peanut, Asiatic oyster, and coconut spinach cilantro ginger.

Mediterranean Cuisine:

Transport yourself to the shores of the Mediterranean with this fun and flavourful

class. You will create Puggo's Restaurant's famous Moroccan Fish Stew, traditional

Baba Ghanoush, Chirashi, Beet Salad, Egyptian Rice, and Lachmagine.

Welcome Reception  

Upon arrival at the cooking school, you will be greeted with refreshing cocktails and delicious tapas as you are given the chance to explore your home for the next 9 days and meet your culinary teachers and peers. We will also present you with your own recipe journal and apron to start you on the road to culinary success. 

ATV Adventure Tour  

You will drive along jungle trails, transverse freshwater rivers, and marvel at the beauty of the Costa Rican beaches as an experienced guide takes you on an ATV tour around the Montezuma, Cabuya, and Mal País areas. The ATVs are all up-to-date and come with the necessary safety equipment, making this a thrilling yet safe experience for all.

Surf Lesson and Beach Day

Experience the rush of catching a wave while enjoying the warm ocean water and cool coastal breeze. The almost private beaches with their sandy bottoms and gentle waves offer a perfect spot for beginners to try out the experience or for intermediates to improve their skills without pressure. Between sets, or for those not wishing to surf, enjoy a variety of other beach activities such as volleyball, frisbee, and of course, BBQ grilling!  

Yoga Classes

Enjoy the beauty and peace of the surrounding jungle while reflecting inwards during one of our yoga and meditation classes. The classes are held on the resort property in one of Costa Rica’s largest ocean-view yoga studio.  Whether it is your first time on a yoga mat, or you are an experienced yogi, our teachers will guide and challenge you to find what feels good and expand your potential.  

Zipline Tour

This zipline tour allows you to experience the diversity of our rich jungles while soaring through the canopy. It consists of 9 cables with 13 platforms suspended high above the jungle floor. It’s recommended you keep your eyes open as you will likely see monkeys, parrots, iguanas and so much more. The tour also stops at the iconic Montezuma waterfalls where you can dive into the refreshing waters and swim in the natural pools. 

Tortuga Island Day Trip

Tortuga Island is an uninhabited island in the Gulf of Nicoya. It is famous for its white-sand beaches, calm waters and paradisical views. It is a 45-minute boat ride along the Montezuma coast to arrive at the island. During the trip, you should keep your eyes peeled as it is common to see dolphins and/or whales swimming alongside the boat. Before arriving at the island, we will stop for the chance to get up close and personal with the underwater wildlife for those who wish to snorkel.  Once we arrive at the island, we will spend the afternoon enjoying fresh food and sipping delicious cocktails. For those looking to relax, there are lounge chairs and shady spots for a nap. There are also several hiking trails with amazing look-out points for those wishing to explore. And finally, for those wanting a little more excitement, there are a variety of different water activities such as jet skis and banana boat rides. Everything is included for a full day of adventure, relaxation, and fun.

Movie Night

Snuggle up with some delicious drinks, sweet candies and ice cream, and, of course, buttery popcorn for a movie night under the stars. You are also welcome to cool off with a dip in the pool while you enjoy the show.

Bonfire Night

Enjoy a cozy evening around a beautiful bonfire complete with great music and snacks. Try your skills at roasting hot dogs over the flames or building the perfect S’more. 

Painting Class

Explore your creative side and learn some fun techniques as a local guest artist assists you in making your own masterpiece. As well, to spark those creative juices, we will be serving a delicious array of fresh fruit and champagne.

Graduation Ceremony and Fire Show

During our final dinner together, we will celebrate the achievements of the week and present certificates of completion. Participants will also receive a beautiful knife set to commemorate their experience and inspire them to continue their culinary journeys back home.