Hands-On Cooking Classes and Chef’s Table Dinner with Zuliya Khawaja
Week of March 14, 2026
Zuliya offers hands-on culinary experiences, 3.5 hours each, during which you will enjoy preparing your own meal along with fellow cooks. Classes take place at La Cocina Que Canta, our culinary center on Tuesday and Wednesday, at 4pm. In addition, Chef Zuliya Khawaja will collaborate with La Cocina Que Canta’s Head Chef, Vivian Mercado and her team to create a special feast (with wine pairing!) on Thursday at 4:45pm.
Hands On Cooking Classes and Chefs Dinner Sign Up
Tuesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.
Wednesday Hands-On Cooking Class 4:00 PM
Each class $145 (tax included). Class subject to change, check your weekly planner and schedule for updates. The maximum number of guests per class is 14.
Thursday Farm-to-Table Dining Experience 4:45 PM
Celebrate the abundance of our organic farm and the connection to community with a Farm-to-Table dining experience – a perfect blend of health, tradition, flavor, and fun! Cost is $150 per person, tax and wine pairing included. The maximum number of guests is 30. Sign Up at the Appointments Desk or through the link above.
Chef Zuliya Khawaja is a passionate plant-based private chef, culinary producer, recipe developer, and digital creator who delights in sharing her culinary adventures with a vibrant community of over 200,000 followers across her social channels. A proud winner of Top Chef Amateur Edition in 2021, Zuliya has a knack for crafting mouthwatering, plant-based recipes that inspire her audience to embrace a healthier, more flavorful lifestyle.
Zuliya’s culinary journey began long before her professional accolades. Born and raised in Uzbekistan, she immigrated to the United States as a political refugee in her 20s, carrying with her the rich traditions and flavors of Central Asia. Her earliest culinary education came from the cherished moments spent cooking alongside her grandmother, mother, and aunties—women whose kitchen wisdom and artistry deeply influenced her own approach to food. Their recipes, infused with love and history, laid the foundation for the global, vibrant dishes Zuliya creates today.
When Zuliya embraced a vegan lifestyle, she embarked on a mission to prove that plant-based cooking can be both delicious and sexy. She began by reimagining beloved family recipes and recreating them through a plant-focused lens that honored her heritage while aligning with her lifestyle. Today, she combines her professional training in vegan cooking with her passion for fresh, sustainable ingredients to craft dishes that are both nourishing and visually stunning.
Through her blog, and her social channels at @naturallyzuzu on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok Zuliya shares innovative recipes, practical tips, and a dash of her unique personality, all while fostering a community that celebrates the joys of cooking and eating well. Her mission is to make plant-based cuisine accessible and enjoyable for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned chef or just beginning your culinary journey.
Zuliya’s work has been featured in major national media, including Best of Vegan, FeedFeed, Bravo Top Chef, PopSugar, Shape Magazine, and more, solidifying her reputation as a leading voice in the plant-based culinary world.