Learn the inside secrets
. . . authentic and innovative New Mexico and South-western Cookery

Often credited with starting the Tex-Mex mania, Jane Butel published her first cookbooks on New Mexican and American Mexican food in the 1960s. Sixteen cookbooks later, her books and her Cooking School in Albuquerque, which Bon Appetit called among "the best in the US", bring you all there is to know and love about this cuisine.

Jane is an internationally recognized authority on the regional cooking of the American Southwest. The daughter and granddaughter of accomplished home economists, she is a cookbook author, teacher and television personality.

Her interest in Southwestern cooking predates its current widespread popularity by decades. She was the first to write about the cooking style that evolved in the Southwestern border area and is credited with starting the USA's love affair with this cuisine.

Jane operates her own site-based Cooking Schools, which have been recognized far and wide for their quality of instruction. Jane's Cooking School specializes in week long and weekend full participation classes on New Mexican and Southwestern cooking.

Jane has also established a Satellite Cooking School located in the award winning La Hacienda restaurant in the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort in Arizona. The Satellite Cooking School specialises in the weekend full participation classes on New Mexican and Southwestern cooking and has received rave reviews from the culinary press including being rated one of the ten best hotel cooking schools in the world by Gayot hotel rating service.

"After having attended La Varenne in Paris, France, and classes with Marcella Hazan in Bologna, Italy, and James Beard in Oregon, I continued to look for the best that America or Europe had to offer and I FOUND IT with Jane Butel's Cooking School in New Mexico." ~ Julia Eyre, Illinois

"It's the best way to learn Southwestern cooking and Jane will spur you on to further interests. She is the best cooking teacher in the country - and I know, I am a frequent Cooking School attendee." ~ Sue Greene

"I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the trip to Oaxaca. Most chefs know how to cook, but Jane's knowledge of the science of food makes her classes more valuable." ~ Penny

"It was such an excellent class. Jane boosted my confidence in not only Southwestern cooking, but cooking in general. Her knowledge of cooking, nutrition, and the history of Southwestern cuisine is tremendous and extremely interesting." ~ Sophia Rodgers

"I have attended cooking school classes, but yours was by far exceptional. Your words and your food were fabulous and I learned a lot." ~ Frannie Norton

"Almost immediately her classes in New Mexican cooking were a success." ~ The Washington Post

"As much as you may love tamales and chile rellenos, you've never made them as well as Jane Butel." ~ Travel & Leisure Magazine

Week long cooking school in Santa Fe

The week long classes, which are held in Santa Fe, begin with a get-acquainted reception at 6:00 pm on Sunday evening, followed by dinner at a local restaurant featuring New Mexican specialties.

Monday through Friday, the cooking sessions begin at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast, followed by Jane’s review of the history of the cuisine and major ingredients. A demonstration of the menu items for the day follows, along with hints and techniques for success. After the demonstration, it is your turn to shine! Students begin cooking in small groups, guided through the recipes by Jane and her helpers.

Finally, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor with a bountiful lunch. Each session concludes at around 2:00 pm with afternoons and evenings free for you to explore the beauty and treasures of New Mexico . . . horseback riding, hot air ballooning, hiking, golf, shopping, and sightseeing in Santa Fe.

Thursday evening includes dinner and the presentation of diplomas at one of Santa Fe’s fine dining restaurants.

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Culinary Weekend getaway in Albuquerque

If you can’t take a Week Long Class, consider a weekend getaway to the lovely village of Corrales, located along the Rio Grande on the outskirts of Albuquerque. The Weekend Classes begin with a get-acquainted reception at 5:00 pm on Friday evening. You will jump right into the class beginning at 6:00 pm with hints and tips for the evening’s recipes. Saturday and Sunday sessions begin at 8:30 am with a continental breakfast, followed by Jane’s review of the history of the cuisine and major ingredients. A demonstration of the menu items for the day follows, along with hints and techniques for success. Typically, you will cook in groups of two or three. Jane and her staff will guide you through the recipes.

Each session concludes with a bountiful meal of the foods you have prepared. Saturday and Sunday sessions conclude by 2:00 pm. With afternoons and evenings free you can explore the beauty and treasures of New Mexico. Try horseback riding, hot air ballooning, hiking, golf, shopping, or sightseeing in Old Town Albuquerque or take a short drive to Santa Fe.

FOR AVAILABILITY AND PRICES PLEASE EMAIL US <click here>

Culinary Weekend getaway in Scottsdale

During the cold winter months you can have the time of your life with warm temperatures and bright green golf courses, while learning how to capture the exciting fiesta flavors of the culinary regions of Old Mexico.

This culinary excursion is held at the Fairmont Princess, home to one of the best Spas in North America, three award-winning restaurants and two 18 hole Championship Golf Courses. After class, relax and rejuvenate in one of the resort's five outdoor swimming pools and two Jacuzzi's or play tennis at one of seven tennis courts. As with most luxurious resort towns, it offers many other activities, including horseback riding and shopping. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is truly an experience like no other.

The cooking classes have been developed by Jane Butel, whose Cooking School has been rated one of the best hotel based cooking schools in the US by www.gayot.com. For this class Jane is teaming up with Reed Groban, Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage of the Fairmont Princess, who has developed the award winning 4 diamond La Hacienda restaurant where the School is being conducted, making this a learning opportunity not to be missed!

These tested menus will simplify complex dishes, making them easy to create in your kitchen. Learn to prepare things like delicious Chiles en Nogadas (stuffed chiles with walnut sauce), a fantastic way to entertain guests or add that special touch to a holiday dinner. Be transported to another region, learning the culture, culinary tips, and recipes prepared for centuries by Mexican families while enjoying the fabulous amenities this Southern resort has to offer.

FOR AVAILABILITY AND PRICES PLEASE EMAIL US <click here>

Join Jane Butel for exciting international culinary adventures including trips to Oaxaca in Mexico, Mexican Colonial Cities and Spain. Tour participants delight in visits to local markets, culinary classes and historic landmarks while being immersed in the Mexican or Spanish culture. Groups tour together while personally guided by Jane Butel.

Jane Butel's Culinary Tour of Mexico's Colonial Cities - 12th to 19th September 2007

Stay in romantic Posadas, dine on specialty dishes of each city and learn the culinary secrets of local chefs during cooking classes. The tour includes visits to such revolutionary cities as Guadalajara, Patzcuaro and San Miguel Allende. The trips include stays at delightful bed and breakfast inns, guided tours and free time to explore the area.

Are you looking for a unique activity for your convention or tour group? Would you like to take a new approach to your company get together or team building retreat? A cooking class with Jane Butel may be just what you're looking for! We offer group demonstrations and full-participation teambuilding classes for any type of group.

"Just as survival simulation games and outdoor adventure courses were once popular team-building techniques, the kitchen exercises are supposed to foster trust and communications." ~ Eileen Daspin, Wall Street Journal

"It's the trendy thing to do . . . The kitchen is a good place to improve team work because there are a lot of things that can go wrong." - Bill Reynolds, Culinary Institute of America

"Maybe the person who can't break the egg will start seeing others in a new way." - Rick Phillips, Culinary Institute of America'

Jane Butel can accommodate any group size and menu interest as the programs are site-based. Team building goals can be met with full participation teambuilding classes in many different locations, i.e. hotels, convention centers, etc, either in New Mexico or a place of your choosing. Contact us for menu information and detailed planning.

Perhaps it is not team building you are after but a special event for you and your friends, your club or your work colleagues. Jane can put together a program just for you and your group.

If you would like to know more, just email us - <click here>