Melissa Guzman
Melissa Guzman
5
About
My name is Melissa Guzman and am the author Living Longer, Healthier and Happier: Recipes from Costa Rica. I learned to cook with my mother in the countryside of Costa Rica, she taught me that cooking is a way to connect with people. By sharing my recipes and my cooking, I want to connect with people from all over the world and share my culture through our food.
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5.0
8 reviews
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7
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BuckeyeBob48
Columbus, OH18 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
Melissa has writen a wonderful book on Costa Rica cooking, Living Longer, Healthier and Happier. She has some awesome recipes in the book and our evening with her and husband, David, was the highlight of our trip to Jaco. We arrived at her lovely home and it was just my wife and me in the "class". She is Costa Rican and uses her heritage in her approach to cooking clean food. We started with a Mango Salsa, Sea Bass as the main dish, several sides and ended with her homemade passion fruit ice cream. Wow. Everything was so good.
I can't recommend the class any higher, it was outstanding and you can't eat any better anywhere in Jaco than at her home. We had so much fun. This trip was our first to Costa Rica and the evening with Melissa was the highlight of our entire trip.
I can't recommend the class any higher, it was outstanding and you can't eat any better anywhere in Jaco than at her home. We had so much fun. This trip was our first to Costa Rica and the evening with Melissa was the highlight of our entire trip.
Written 20 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! you and Jen were an amazing guest and we enjoy so much having you here at home :)
Written 2 July 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jmorgan123
Charleston, SC14 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
This was an incredible cooking class that everyone in our family enjoyed (ages 12-73). Melissa’s home was lovely and the meal we prepared was delicious! We learned so much about Costa Rican food and culture, in addition to cooking techniques. Melissa and David were so kind to make recommendations for the remainder of our trip. Highly recommend cooking with Meli and would do this again on our next trip to Costa Rica!
Written 28 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian C
Jaco, Costa Rica7 contributions
Feb 2020
Our time with Mili was wonderful! The evening was informational, fun and the food was amazing! Mili and her assistant were so kind and friendly they made our time seem like a visit with old friends. I highly recommend this experience for anyone who loves to cook oe is just a foodie.
Written 26 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Brian! I really enjoyed cooking with all of you guys. Pura Vida!
Written 2 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
janetheh
Corner Brook, Canada7 contributions
Feb 2020
This was so awesome! Fantastic food and Meli and Dave were so welcoming. Besides learning how to make the food and eating it, they shared tips on their own local favourite spots. I am so glad we did this!
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much Jane!
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
RLTravels
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Friends
Melissa and David are outstanding hosts. It is a hands on class, so we got to participate. Menu selection was excellent with dishes that are easily prepared at home. They were very respectful of dietary restrictions and preferences. We were treated warmly and our hosts were very helpful with suggestions about things to do around Jaco. It was a delightful evening.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! I enjoyed cooking with you. Pura Vida!
Meli
Written 15 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Annaliza T
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
We cooked with Meli an amazing fish dinner that included an appetizer, meal and dessert. It is a hands on experience which gives you the confidence to recreate the meal. The class can be taught in English or Spanish. I would recommend doing this early on in your vacation because Meli and her husband will offer many great recommendations of sights, restaurants and provide invaluable information about the local cuisine that you can use for your trip.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the review! It was great having you guys in my house. Pura Vida!
Written 5 January 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gdavisfam2000
Elk Grove, CA1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Family
We toured the rainforests, hiked a volcano, walked suspension bridges, and enjoyed the beach - but the was one of our favorite activities on our trip to Costa Rica. Not only do you get to learn how to cook Costa Rican food the right way (😋), but it's nice to hear Melissa's perspective on the Costa Rican culture and get recommendations on good restaurants/ice cream in Jaco.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
Written 26 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much! It was great to meet you and cook together! Pura Vida!
Written 24 September 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
luc
Kirkland, Canada54 contributions
We are two retired couples and were looking for a culinary activity during our stay in Jaco. Mélissa announces herself as a promoter of simple and healthy Costa Rican cuisine. She also published a first cookbook Longer, healthier and happier Living in 5000 copies, now sold out but which would not be her last since she is thinking of writing a second one. We showed up at his beautiful condo at the il flor complex, well renovated and spectacularly appealing. We also brought our wine, which was allowed. Mélissa presents herself very well, in her early forties, and that evening gets help from a cousin. We also met her husband, her mother-in-law and her mother. She gently explains to us how the next 3.5 hours will unfold with a meal of simple, traditional dishes made from fresh local produce. The cheese tortilla (con queso), the gallo pinto (rice and beans), the piccadilos with chayotes with ground pork and bacon, the fish (cabra?) with tomato salsa, and a dessert with which she will surprise us . This cuisine requires a lot of diced vegetables, which everyone takes turns cutting while getting to know Mélissa who manages buildings and is interested in interior decoration. Coming from a cooler agricultural region, she studied and has a diploma in agronomy (farm engineering), having worked in industry for a few years. She has two sisters who are a doctor and a lawyer. After knowing her husband, she relocated here to Jaco. We enjoyed the evening even if some of the dishes appealed less to one of us. We would have liked ceviche for example and even if it is the national dish, gallo pinto was not unanimous. All in all, it is as much the exchanges as the meal that make this evening interesting, as does this very beautiful residential place. The meal was taken at the table outside on a very beautiful evening. The cost is not low, but the meal was well worth it accompanied by our Pinot Grigio!
Written 24 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am in Jaco until Jan 13. I am interested in your cooking class and cookbook but I am only one person. Can you suggest a good date for me to join another group?
Written 15 December 2021
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