Experience the power of music during an unforgettable stay featuring top artists at The Ranch for Jazz Week! The tranquility of The Ranch provides the perfect backdrop for jazz musicians to fully transform and transport you. Join us for a sensory retreat that you won’t forget.
More Information About The Week
Sean Jones, Trumpet & Curator
Billy Childs, Piano
Ben Williams, Bass
Brinae Ali, Dancer and Singer
Vaughn 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 at 4pm and Wednesday at 11am. In addition, Chef Vaughn Vargus 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 11:00 AM
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 Vaughn Vargus is the Executive Chef at UC San Diego’s Dining • Hospitality Department, focusing on flavorful foods, ethnicity, sustainability, and modernization of the classics with a great love and respect for tradition. Throughout his extensive career, he has embarked on a variety of culinary travels to experience the foods of Southeast Asia, Bahrain, Europe, and Mexico, with many “South of the Border” trips. Plant forward, food and life style variations that enhance overall health are of great interest to him. Always fun and exciting, he loves to teach about food, flavors, skill and techniques where they are understood and applicable for the everyday cook!
Chef Vaughn has been a participating Chef for the San Diego Food Bank’s annual Gala for the past 9 years and SD’s Local Kitchens for Good program and finds this to be a very fulfilling experience, he is honored to support his home city of San Diego.
He is an avid ocean-goer who grew up cooking nights and spending days on the beach. He began his culinary journey at an early age and has been passionate about food ever since. He has been able to frequent the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley and New York, but is largely self-taught. “I have vivid memories as a child and being in the kitchen when my grandmother was cooking. She was a phenomenal cook; she grew up in the Dust Bowl era. For some reason, I was the only one she would let in the kitchen when she was cooking. It probably had some influence on my career choice.”
Chef is an active member of the ACF ( C.E.C., C.C.A. ) and NACUFS and has been immensely involved with culinary competitions, both as a competitor and administrator nationwide.
Ángel 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 at 4pm and Wednesday at 11am. In addition, Chef Ángel López 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 11:00 AM
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.
Ángel López is a founding partner of “Casa de los Cirios” in Tecate, Baja California. This project is dedicated to the promotion of food culture through gastronomic experiences focused on traditional Mexican cuisine. With a solid background in nutrition, Ángel graduated from the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, Colorado. Additionally, he has gained profound knowledge of food culture through his training at the National School of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. His commitment to preserving Mexico’s culinary traditions has led him to undergo multiple training sessions with traditional cooks and explore various states in central and southern Mexico, enabling in-depth research into the customs and culinary knowledge of different regions of the country. Ángel has also successfully completed his internship to become a certified garden master, collaborating with the Ecology Action project in Willits, California. His current work focuses on being a chef and cultural promoter, through which he shares valuable workshops with the community. These workshops cover topics such as cacao, chili, corn, nixtamalization processes, and ancestral Mexican beverages. Ángel López is a staunch believer in food sovereignty and advocates for the importance of growing our own food. His passion lies in sharing the culinary roots of Mexico with those drawn to the flavors and aromas of Mexican cuisine. His work is essential for preserving and spreading Mexico’s gastronomic heritage.
Music and spirituality have always been intertwined in the artistic vision of trumpeter, bandleader, composer, educator, and activist Sean Jones. Mr. Jones sang and performed as a child with the church choir in his hometown of Warren, Ohio, and switched from playing the drums to the trumpet at the age of 10.
Mr. Jones is a musical chameleon, comfortable in any musical setting no matter the role or genre. After a six-month stint with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis offered him a permanent position as lead trumpeter of the ensemble, a post he held from 2004 until 2010. In 2015, Mr. Jones was tapped to become a member of the SFJAZZ Collective. During this time, he has managed to keep a core group of talented musicians together under his leadership, forming the foundation for groups that have produced and released eight recordings on Mack Avenue Records. His most recent is the 2017 release Sean Jones: Live from Jazz at the Bistro.
Mr. Jones has been prominently featured in recordings and performances with many major figures in jazz, including Illinois Jacquet, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gerald Wilson, and Marcus Miller. He was selected by Mr. Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Wayne Shorter for their A Tribute to Miles tour in 2011. He has also performed with the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Youngstown symphony orchestras, as well as Soulful Symphony in Baltimore and a chamber group at the Salt Bay Chamberfest.
Mr. Jones is an internationally recognized educator. He is president of the Jazz Education Network and holds the Richard and Elizabeth Case Chair in Jazz Studies at The John Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute in Baltimore. As well as artistic Director for the NYO JAZZ Program of Carnegie Hall. Previously, he served as chair of the Brass department at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
More Information About The Week
Family Week at the Ranch is the perfect time for a little healthy competition! Join nutritionist-in-residence Tamara Freuman for a fun opportunity to learn about nutrition and local food traditions; play with your food; and use your knowledge to compete with your Ranch family for cheap prizes and priceless bragging rights. (Everyone wins when you leave the Ranch with some healthy new nuggets to bring back home!)
Children/Tweens: The 6th Annual Great Guacamole Throwdown
Think you have what it takes to make authentic Mexican guacamole? Learn what makes a great bowl of guac and compete against your fellow Ranchers to create your signature version of this beloved dish. You and your teammate(s) will choose from a variety of fresh ingredient options and use a traditional molcajete and tejolote (Mexican mortar and pestle) to craft your delicious creation! Our panel of expert judges will taste all of the creations and award prizes for the best-of across several categories.
Teens + Adults: ‘Hot Ones’: A Spicy Trivia Competition!
Compete against your fellow Ranchers in a trivia showdown that tests your knowledge of all things food, health and nutrition…with a very picante twist! The winner is the person with the most correct answers, but the ‘buy in’ for each new round of questions is to taste your way up the Scoville heat scale—sampling chili peppers, chili powders and hot sauces from mild to medium to hot to EN FUEGO!! As the bites get hotter, the questions get harder… so who can take the most heat to stay in the competition the longest?
Family: Sensory “Circuit Training” Competition: Local Foods of Mexico!
Love Mexican food, drinks and treats? Think you’re a Super smeller? Terrific taster? Fabulous feeler? If so, bring your all to a circuit training workout unlike any other! This competition will put your senses to the test as you sniff, taste and touch a variety of local foods while blindfolded, and compete against other teams to identify as many of them as possible. Your familiarity with the local flavors and scents of Mexico will come in handy, as will your love of adventurous eating! (Note: the event will be allergen-free. Please inform instructor of any food allergies prior to starting so that your tasting circuit can be adjusted.)
Teens + Adults: Epic Nutrition Wins and Fails from Social Media
More of us are gleaning recipes, nutrition tips, supplement recommendations and health information from influencers and advertisers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and others. Never has health content been so accessible… and also so potentially unreliable. This talk will feature a dietitian’s take on some of the most widely shared and viewed content and claims related to diet and nutrition via clips, screenshots and hashtags and evaluate whether they hit or miss the mark when it comes to accuracy, scientific validity and safety. From #fibermaxxing and #dryscooping to the “DBS” TikTok craze and more, we’ll check all the trendy receipts from an evidence-based perspective… and correct the record when necessary.
Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RDN, CDN is a New York-based registered dietitian, author and America’s Trusted Digestive Nutrition Expert. A nationally-known authority on nutrition therapy for digestive diseases, Tamara is a member of New York Gastroenterology Associates, a private Manhattan-based practice. She earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and completed her training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. In addition to her clinical work, Tamara is a high-profile nutrition writer whose advice on healthy living and dietary management of digestive disease is read by hundreds of thousands of people each month via leading online media platforms. She has been featured in leading TV, print and radio/podcast media, including TV’s Good Morning America, Live with Kelly & Ryan, Inside Edition, National Public Radio, The Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, Prevention, Women’s Health, The Huffington Post, CNN.com, SELF.com, and Business Insider. She is the author of the acclaimed book, The Bloated Belly Whisperer (St. Martin’s Press, 2018).
Give your brain a workout this Family Week with challenging chess play for people at all levels and other mental strength training! Chess coach and puzzle enthusiast Alex Freuman brings his annual array of mental challenges back to the Ranch… don’t miss this chance to stretch your mind after a satisfying day of physical exertion!
Family: Social Chess & Optional Weeklong Tournament
Join your Alex and your fellow chess enthusiasts nightly from Sunday through Wednesday at 7pm for social chess games. Learn and play chess variants like “Hand and Brain” or “Bughouse,” and/or participate in chess lessons for those who wish! New chess puzzles will also be offered nightly.
For Ranch guests and Ranch staff looking to get some experience with real tournament play, this year you’ll also have the option to sign up for a multi-day chess tournament! You’ll learn how to use a chess timer for your games, as well as follow basic tournament play rules, just like in an official rated tournament.
To compete in the tournament, you must sign up for the tournament by Sunday night, and as a courtesy to your fellow players, please plan to commit to playing all 4 tournament games throughout the week.
Teens: Escape Room! (60 minutes)
If problem-solving, puzzle decoding, and relying on your wits to get out of sticky situations are skills in your wheelhouse, then come team up with your peers in our Family Week Escape Room challenge! In this team activity, your group will put your heads together to race against the clock and escape the room before time runs out!
Alex Freuman, MS, BA, is a high school STEM teacher who holds a BA in mathematics from Oberlin College and an MS in mathematics education from Hunter College in New York City. At Oberlin, Alex was a founding member of the Juggling Club, where he honed many circus skills, including fire juggling, fire eating and balancing tricks. Also, a long-time chess and puzzle enthusiast, Alex coaches the chess team at Nyack Highschool (Nyack, NY), is faculty advisor for the Nyack Highschool Puzzle Club, is the founder and President of the Rockland County Chess Club, and is a certified US Chess Tournament Director. His current United States Chess Federation (UCSF) rating is 1900, and he hopes to break 2000 before his children beat him to it. Alex is passionate about creating community and fostering multi-generational connections through the joy of chess.
Harvest Your Health: A Family Farm Discovery
Step into the living pharmacy of the garden on a guided family walk through medicinal plants and cultivated herbs. Discover how many familiar “weeds” are actually powerful healers for soil, ecosystems, and our own bodies. Harvest seasonal herbs together, learn how plants support resilience and vitality, and enjoy a fresh herbal tea made from what you gather—an embodied taste of the land’s generosity.
From Plant to Pantry: The Art of Herbal Transformation
Continue the journey from harvest to healing by learning how freshly gathered herbs become medicine. In this hands-on session, families clean, prepare, and dry herbs while discovering simple, home-friendly techniques that preserve flavor, potency, and purpose. A grounding, sensory-rich experience that reveals the quiet magic between plant and practice.
Regeneration 101: Humans as a Keystone Species
What if humans could play a positive role in healing the planet? This hopeful, accessible talk introduces the core ideas of regeneration—how people can move beyond “doing less harm” to actively restoring ecosystems, communities, and futures. Designed for teens and adults seeking optimism and agency, the session explores how revisiting our relationship with land, food, and place can help us become participants in renewal rather than drivers of loss. A grounding invitation to imagine—and practice—a more hopeful future.
Make Your Own Family Spa Kit
Create nourishing herbal remedies to take home in this joyful, hands-on workshop for all ages. Using garden-grown herbs blended with beeswax, olive oil, and regional botanicals, families craft lip balms, healing salves, and body scrubs designed for everyday care. A playful, empowering experience that turns plants into personal rituals of wellness.
Eden Vardy is dedicated to doing his part in solving climate challenges so that future generations can thrive. With that goal, in 2008 he founded The Farm Collaborative (www.farmco.org), “a collaboration for regeneration” that focuses on regenerating the local food system, one community at a time. Under Vardy’s leadership, the organization made 0% interest loans to over 50 burgeoning farmers and food entrepreneurs through a pioneering “gift- circle investment club” model, launched a multi- stakeholder support ecosystem to grow new farmers, took ownership of the award winning Edible Aspen magazine (where Vardy served as publisher), and hosted a program focused on innovating in crop production and stewarding regenerative agriculture regionally. The Farm Collaborative is now building a first of its kind learning campus in Aspen that will showcase integrated agriculture while pioneering a farmer”renaissance” of young leaders dedicated to a better future. In 2019 Colorado Governor Jared Polis appointed and the senate confirmed Vardy to the state’s Parks and Wildlife Commission to represent agriculture. Vardy was appointed for a second term in July 2022, and confirmed with rare bi-partisan support unanimously by Colorado’s congress. In 2021, Vardy was selected as the Eisenhower Agricultural Fellow and met with policy makers, farmers, and community leaders in the EU and Brazil to exchange ideas for best practices to support the next generation of small holder farmers. In 2022, Vardy was selected as a “Food Leaders Fellow” as part of the inaugural cohort by the Aspen Institute. Vardy has presented at over 30 conferences and consulted community organizations across the globe, including in Israel, Uganda, France, Brazil, Mexico, and around the United States. Vardy is an avid percussionist and a proud father.
Boosting Brain Health
Uncover the secrets to a healthy, sharp and focused brain throughout all stages of life. Emerging research shows how what you eat and your lifestyle can affect your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Learn the simple, scientific truths that can boost your brain and total body health.
Living with a Healthy Heart
Heart disease can begin in humans as young as two years old. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke cause 1 in 3 women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds. 80% of heart disease and stroke events may be prevented by lifestyle changes. In this entertaining presentation learn what you need to do to keep your heart in great condition for a long and healthy life.
Secrets to a Healthy Life
In this talk you will learn the secrets to making long lasting lifestyle changes and the ingredients necessary for living a healthier life.
Samantha Heller, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian, exercise physiologist, licensed massage therapist, and certified fitness instructor, with a dual Master of Science degree in nutrition and applied physiology from Teachers’ College, Columbia University. She is a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, where she works with patients and athletes to optimize health and performance. Samantha has been the host of the popular Samantha Heller’s Health & Nutrition Show on SIRIUSXM’s DOCTOR Radio since 2008, which airs live every Friday from 12-2 p.m. ET. She is also a consultant, influencer, best-selling author, keynote presenter, and performance artist. Samantha’s clinical expertise includes cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, oncology, sports, weight management, and diabetes medical nutrition therapy, as well as stress, wellbeing, and lifestyle management. She is a favored health expert on shows such as CBS Mornings, MSNBC, NY1 News, and more. She is the go-to expert for health and medical press such as HealthDay, U.S. News & World Report, Reuter’s Health, Everyday Health, Prevention, Health.com, Huffington Post, Livestrong, et al. Known for her evidence-based, energetic, and accessible style, Samantha is a popular key-note speaker and lecturer, in-person or via webinar, at venues such as Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, NYU Langone Health, Exos, IPG Health, and more.
Doug 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 at 4pm, Wednesday at 11am, and Thursday at 4pm.
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 11:00 AM
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 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.
Doug Settle is a Southern California based chef with nearly 20 years of hospitality experience. Tracing his roots to the foot hills of the Appalachian mountains where gardening, hunting and fishing are a lifestyle, proper sourcing and appreciation for those who grow, raise and harvest our food is a deeply ingrained passion. Alongside this Doug pairs a drive for leadership and training honed by a decade of working with San Diego’s finest chefs and restaurateurs.
Sarah will teach daily yoga classes focusing on alignment: Coursing your attention through the body from the ground up enables you to engage your mind in the moment. The nature of the mind is to flicker, and by bringing it to focus intentionally, the quietude illuminates the inner freedom that is accessible any time you need it.
Sarah will teach also workshops about how bringing the principles of yoga to your daily life will impact your capacity for equanimity amidst the challenges of our modern life.
Afternoon workshops offered for alleviating “text neck,” and restorative yoga classes for experiencing deep rest.
Sarah Bell has been a longtime Ranch enthusiast since her first visit (and first formal yoga class ever) in 1989.
Sarah has been teaching Hatha Yoga since 1994. Her interest in Yoga deepened with Erich Schiffmann in Santa Monica, who became her first teacher-trainer and mentor. She was a sought-after teacher there at Yoga Works for a decade, under the tutelage of the late Maty Ezraty, until she left California to join the fitness staff at the Ranch in 2004.
Sarah moved to New York City and taught more than 30 teacher-training courses for Yoga Works there, across the country, and internationally.
She continued to refine her teaching skills at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of New York, where she assisted James Murphy in his beginner classes.
Sarah moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2018 and continues to teach privately and online. She mentors teachers in communication, methodology, and philosophy.
Her love of the ever-evolving practice of Yoga and her joy in sharing the wisdom of its principles with new and seasoned students alike keep her classes fresh, instructive, light, and intuitive. Sarah invites students of every level to be curious about how their minds work to create trouble, and guide them to cultivate a sense of humor so they can take the reins themselves and discover sustainable inner peace.
This week of the Spring Equinox we will consider all sorts of Portals and Transformations –– actual and metaphorical.
Our in-class writing exercises will explore questions such as:
How do we transform life into fiction?
How do we start?
Where do we start?
How do we capture time?
How do we pay attention to details?
Who do we write for?
THE SPRING EQUINOX: PORTALS AND TRANSFORMATIONS
Join Grace Dane Mazur for a series of writing workshops exploring various ways of looking at life and the world through writing. Each day’s workshop is different and may be attended separately.
Day 1
Beginnings.
Doors and Portals at the Ranch and in Writing.
How do we start?
Day 2
Inside and Outside.
The Power of Thresholds.
Openings and the necessary tension
Day 3
The Senses as Portals of the Imagination.
Silence.
Attention.
Day 4
Doorways between Worlds.
The Everyday, The Uncanny, The Sacred.
Why does Place matter?
Day 5
Endings.
Who do we write for?
Writing as Spiritual Practice.
Writing at home.
An Evening Reading
Join Grace Dane Mazur for a reading from her latest novel and discussion of her mid-life transition from biological research (concentrating on Silkworms) to fiction writing (concentrating on human beings.
Vicki Foster is a 5.0 pickleball player and teaching professional based in Scottsdale, Arizona. With over 15 years of coaching and competitive experience across North America, she has captured multiple gold medals in the 5.0 division at the USA and Canadian National Championships. As a former National Coach Developer for the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), Vicki trained and certified more than 800 new instructors throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. A sponsored Team Selkirk player, she also serves as a lead professional on luxury international pickleball retreats, sharing her expertise with players around the world. In addition to pickleball, Vicki competes in USTA tennis and is a former Division I tennis player and a USPTA Elite Pro.
Chef Vivian 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 Vivian Mercado and her team will 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 Vivian Mercado is a young culinary talent with roots deeply intertwined with the vibrant flavors of her homeland, Baja California. Graduating from the Culinary School at the University of Baja California UABC in Ensenada, Vivian embarked on a culinary journey that began by honing her skills at a wholesome meal prep kitchen. Eager to explore the diverse tapestry of local Baja flavors, she took the role of a young manager at a culinary venture, where she delved into the realms of local wines, specialty coffee and artisanal bread. After three enriching years, Vivian returned to Tecate, where she found her culinary sanctuary at Rancho La Puerta. Starting at Tierra Alegre Juice Bar, Vivian delighted our guests with delicious and nutritious smoothies and cold pressed juice creations; a year later she had the opportunity to join the main Rancho La Puerta kitchen as Sous Chef for three years. Now, at La Cocina que Canta, Head Chef Vivian brings her expertise, creativity, and unwavering passion for culinary excellence to every dish she crafts, to every class she teaches.
Segundo Romero is an acclaimed Argentine culinary expert with over 20 years of international experience. Known for his bold creativity and refined technique, he has made a lasting impact in top kitchens across México, the United States, and Argentina. Celebrated as an ambassador of Argentine, Latin American, and European cuisines, Chef Romero blends tradition with innovation to create dishes that are both authentic and contemporary. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at prestigious establishments such as the Alvear Palace Hotel, Sofitel, Barceló Hotels, Monarch Restaurants, and Grupo Carbón México. Beyond the kitchen, he is a respected consultant and educator, passionate about mentoring aspiring chefs and sharing the transformative power of food. At Rancho La Puerta, Chef Romero brings a fresh culinary vision centered on wellness, sustainability, and the celebration of global flavors.
Chef Vivian Mercado is a young culinary talent with roots deeply intertwined with the vibrant flavors of her homeland, Baja California. Graduating from the Culinary School at the University of Baja California UABC in Ensenada, Vivian embarked on a culinary journey that began by honing her skills at a wholesome meal prep kitchen. Eager to explore the diverse tapestry of local Baja flavors, she took the role of a young manager at a culinary venture, where she delved into the realms of local wines, specialty coffee and artisanal bread. After three enriching years, Vivian returned to Tecate, where she found her culinary sanctuary at Rancho La Puerta. Starting at Tierra Alegre Juice Bar, Vivian delighted our guests with delicious and nutritious smoothies and cold pressed juice creations; a year later she had the opportunity to join the main Rancho La Puerta kitchen as Sous Chef for three years. Now, at La Cocina que Canta, Head Chef Vivian brings her expertise, creativity, and unwavering passion for culinary excellence to every dish she crafts, to every class she teaches.
Kim 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 Kim 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.
For the past 25 years, Kim O’Donnel has been working in food as a chef, journalist, and teacher. A former food writer for The Washington Post and several other newspapers big and small, Kim is the author of three vegetable cookbooks. Most recently, she has been the recipe editor for the forthcoming cookbook from chefs Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook of Zahav and Laser Wolf fame. The thing she is most proud of: Going to Poland in April of 2022 as a World Central Kitchen volunteer cooking for Ukrainian refugees.
Claudette 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 Claudette 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.
Claudette Zepeda is an award-winning, San Diego-based celebrity chef and culinary entrepreneur known for her fearless style and bold approach to regional Mexican cuisine. A celebrated culinary anthropologist, Zepeda draws upon 20+ years of experience working in restaurant kitchens and her extensive travels around the world and throughout México. Zepeda’s multi-faceted expertise is showcased in her role overseeing the creative vision as Founder of Chispa Hospitality with projects in San Diego, Nashville, Australia, and México. Her latest project, Leu Leu in North County San Diego, where she is the Executive Chef and Partner, authors a love letter to San Diego and the Beach Bungalow culture of the space, celebrating global cuisine through her creative lens.
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.
Nina 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 Nina 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 Nina Curtis, a renowned figure in plant-based cuisine, stands among the 25 Top Women in Foodservice and Hospitality for 2024. Honored as America’s Top Hospital Chef in 2020, her culinary journey spans over two decades, showcasing the vast potential of plant-based cuisine on a global scale. Her influence as a trendsetter and award-winning chef resonates not only in her culinary prowess but also in her leadership within the culinary world.
With a passion for crafting delectable whole plant-based cuisine, Chef Curtis has redefined the culinary landscape, earning accolades and admiration from both vegans and non-vegans alike. Her cuisine isn’t just plant-based; it’s an exquisite symphony of flavors, textures, and tastes that leave a lasting impression.
One of her crowning achievements was being invited as the first guest chef by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to curate a historic plant-based menu for a White House State Dinner honoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a strict vegetarian. With over 400 guests in attendance, this groundbreaking event marked a turning point in culinary history, proving that plant-based cuisine could be both luxurious and satisfying.
Chef Curtis’s passion for plant-based cuisine extends beyond her kitchen. She is a dedicated advocate, sharing her profound knowledge and enthusiasm through captivating dining experiences and enlightening lectures. Her expertise in whole plant cuisine has positioned her as a respected authority, inspiring culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
Her remarkable career journey has seen her in pivotal roles such as Director of Culinary and Executive Chef positions, underpinned by rigorous training from esteemed culinary and nutrition institutions. Her pursuit of excellence also led her to earn an MBA from Pepperdine University, a testament to her commitment to both her craft and business acumen.
Chef Curtis’s involvement in the American Culinary Corps, a collaborative initiative of the James Beard Foundation and the State Department, underscores her dedication to culinary diplomacy and cultural exchange. She embodies the notion that food transcends boundaries and fosters cross-cultural understanding through its universal language.
In a realm where taste, innovation, and nourishment converge, Chef Nina Curtis stands as a true trailblazer. Her unparalleled culinary expertise and imaginative creations continue to captivate palates and inspire culinary enthusiasts worldwide.
Virginia 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 Virginia Willis 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.
Georgia born French-trained chef Virginia Willis has foraged for berries in the Alaskan wilderness, harvested capers in the shadow of a smoldering volcano in Sicily, and beguiled celebrities such as Jane Fonda, Bill Clinton, Morgan Freeman, and Julie Chrisley with her cooking.
Beginning in 2019 Virginia lost 65 pounds and has kept if off for over two years.
Virginia has embraced her new outlook on life and has become a cheerleader for those wanting to make their own life changes, “If a post-menopausal, French-trained, Southern chef can do it, you can, too!”
She is a chef instructor for the streaming service Food Network Kitchen as well as a James Beard award-winning cookbook author. Her books include Fresh Start, Secrets of the Southern Table, Lighten Up, Y’all, Bon Appétit, Y’all, Basic to Brilliant, Y’all, Okra, and Grits.
Learn more about Virginia and follow her good and good-for-you recipes and traveling exploits at www.virginiawillis.com – and please make sure to give her a follow on Instagram at @virginiawillis
Chef Vivian 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 Vivian Mercado and her team will 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 Vivian Mercado is a young culinary talent with roots deeply intertwined with the vibrant flavors of her homeland, Baja California. Graduating from the Culinary School at the University of Baja California UABC in Ensenada, Vivian embarked on a culinary journey that began by honing her skills at a wholesome meal prep kitchen. Eager to explore the diverse tapestry of local Baja flavors, she took the role of a young manager at a culinary venture, where she delved into the realms of local wines, specialty coffee and artisanal bread. After three enriching years, Vivian returned to Tecate, where she found her culinary sanctuary at Rancho La Puerta. Starting at Tierra Alegre Juice Bar, Vivian delighted our guests with delicious and nutritious smoothies and cold pressed juice creations; a year later she had the opportunity to join the main Rancho La Puerta kitchen as Sous Chef for three years. Now, at La Cocina que Canta, Head Chef Vivian brings her expertise, creativity, and unwavering passion for culinary excellence to every dish she crafts, to every class she teaches.
Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches. Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.
Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.
What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.
Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.
Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.
Lifestyle Approaches to Reduce Chronic Medical Conditions
The Mediterranean diet can lower the risk of chronic diseases. We’ll explore tips about not only nutrition but also about lifestyle approaches. Discover how the Mediterranean lifestyle improves health and how you can include this into your daily habits.
Hot Topics in Wellness: Wellbeing, Joy and Weight Loss Drugs
How we take care of ourselves has a significant influence on our health. We’ll have a holistic discussion about the various dimensions of wellbeing, pros and cons of weight loss drugs as well as the often-overlooked elements of fun and joy. Learn how you can incorporate unique strategies for wellness into your everyday life.
What’s Spirituality Got to Do with It?
Did you know that people with a higher sense of spirituality live longer? Spirituality in wellness embraces a sense of purpose as well as a connection to self and others. This is important at all stages of life. Find out about the research behind the significance of spirituality in wellness and discover ways you can augment your own sense of spirituality.
Pillow Talk: A Sleep Conversation
You may know that sleep impacts wellness. Do you know why sleep is important? It’s not just the amount of sleep but it’s the quality of sleep too. What can you do to get better sleep? We’ll take a deep dive into sleep for everyone and also for specific groups like women. Come hear about strategies for improving sleep.
Nicola Finley, MD, is a clinician and an innovative educator in integrative medicine with over 20 years of experience working with clients of a luxury wellness resort environment, as well as underserved communities in Arizona. She is an international speaker known for her evidence-based, engaging seminars. Dr. Finley is a board-certified internal medicine physician, fellowship trained in integrative medicine, and an adjunct faculty member at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. Currently, she runs a boutique consulting business which focuses on a holistic view of wellness – mind, body and spirit.
Pilates Mat: Fundamentals (Progressive)
In just one week your body will thank you for attending this progressive class. We start with an introduction to (or a reminder of) Pilates Fundamentals. Each class will incorporate previous lessons building to a comprehensive Pilates repertoire. The class is suitable for all body types, fitness levels and challenges and will incorporate modifications and tips for a successful workout. Join me, it’s fun!
Pilates Mat: Level 2.
Reinvigorate your Pilates practice with this more advanced mat class. Always following the Pilates principles, we’ll add props to challenge your stability and throw in a few surprises. Doing what you love with a twist.
Diane Wheatley is a Pilates and Yoga teacher based in Port Townsend, Washington. Meditation for Diane began like many others: uncomfortable, attention challenged and confusing. Through persistence and exploration, she discovered her own personal meditation practice – one size does not fit all, but there is a practice ideally suited to you and your personality. Sometimes we just need practical and clear guidance – then the joy happens.
