Chef Mitzi's cooking was one of the highlights of our trip. We hired her for three meals during our six-day stay at a condo in Cancún, and all the meals were fantastic!
First Mitzi prepared breakfast for us the morning after our arrival, which made settling in so much easier since we didn't have a chance to go grocery shopping until later that day. Mitzi arrived early, served a hearty breakfast for our party of nine, and left the kitchen spotless. The meal itself included a delicious breakfast casserole, deluxe avocado toasts, freshly cut fruit, and homemade granola with local honey that everyone loved, including our two young kids.
The next day, Mitzi returned to teach a cooking class per our request. This gave us an opportunity not only to enjoy a superb dinner but also to learn in detail about the ingredients involved and to gain practical knowledge about how to prepare several authentic Mexican dishes. The menu centered on three salsas that we made together under Mitzi's guidance: one ("pastor") featured chile guajillo and achiote, another was a salsa verde with tomatillos, and the third was a salsa roja with cacahuates (peanuts) and chile de árbol. In preparing these, we got to learn various techniques including the "tatemar" technique of roasting on an open flame. To pair with each salsa we had chicken, shrimp, slow-cooked beans, and a vegetable filling that we made with zucchini, peppers, corn, onion, and other ingredients. Finally, we learned how to prepare masa and create tortillas, including some made with blue masa flour. Mitzi patiently guided us throughout the evening and did everything to ensure that our dinner was as fun, educational, and memorable as possible.
Later in the week, we asked Mitzi to return once more. She prepared and served another fantastic dinner for us that was as tasty as any meal you could get in one of Cancún's top restaurants. The main dish was sauteed fish served over potato purée and drizzled with a truly unique tamarind-sriracha sauce. This sweet and spicy flavor was the best thing we tasted in Mexico! Lastly, Mitzi baked and decorated a cake to help us celebrate two birthdays. She did this in addition to making another outstanding dessert (flan with candied orange slices) and on very short notice - I had made the request only the day before by sending a WhatsApp message, which she immediately answered. We were also very impressed how well she accommodated the person in our group with a gluten allergy. Her past experience as the owner of a pastelería was clearly evident as we savored the rich chocolate and sour cherry cake.
Mitzi was extremely generous with her time and knowledge, and her first-rate cooking and attentiveness greatly enhanced our vacation by allowing us to enjoy exceptional food in the comfort and privacy of our own lodging. I wholeheartedly recommend Mitzi to anyone who plans to hire a personal chef in Quintana Roo. She is a wonderful chef!
