When Chef Silvana returned to Mexico, she knew she wanted to share what more than three decades in professional kitchens had taught her. She initially hoped to volunteer at a local children's home, but that opportunity never came together.
Meanwhile, the neighborhood children were already finding their way to Casa Salcido.
They came by to visit. They talked, laughed, shared food, rode skateboards and bicycles, and became part of everyday life at the Casa.
Then they asked Chef a simple question:
“Will you teach us how to cook?”
The answer became Taller de Cocina Mexicana.
Taller de Cocina Mexicana is rooted in trueque, the practice of exchange and reciprocity. Chef Silvana brings a lifetime of culinary knowledge, and our students arrive carrying knowledge from their families, communities, cultures, and lived experiences.
Knowledge moves in more than one direction.
Everyone arrives with something of value.
Students learn real-world culinary skills, from knife skills, sanitation, and food safety to baking, pastry, sauces, service, teamwork, and professional kitchen organization. Some may become chefs, cooks, bakers, baristas, pitmasters, or work in hospitality. Others may simply carry these skills into their homes, families, and communities.
Wherever they go, what they learn in the kitchen goes with them.

Our culinary knowledge begins with the land and the people who learned in relationship with it. For generations, abuelas, madres, cocineras, farmers, and knowledge keepers have carried food traditions through their hands, memories, kitchens, and communities.
This knowledge is alive. It is our birthright to know it, practice it, and carry it forward.

In the Taller, culinary education begins before food reaches the kitchen. With Dra. Serina Payan Hazelwood, students learn within Casa Salcido's regenerative permaculture ecosystem by growing food and medicine, composting, caring for animals, and learning to be in good relationship with the lives that nourish us.
From growing and harvestin
In the Taller, culinary education begins before food reaches the kitchen. With Dra. Serina Payan Hazelwood, students learn within Casa Salcido's regenerative permaculture ecosystem by growing food and medicine, composting, caring for animals, and learning to be in good relationship with the lives that nourish us.
From growing and harvesting to butchering, cooking, eating, and composting, we practice care, gratitude, and responsibility.
We nourish the land that nourishes us.

Everyone who gathers at Casa Salcido becomes part of what makes Taller possible. Our culinary experiences, stays, retreats, and gatherings help keep Taller tuition-free.
Generous collaborators have also shared kitchen equipment, tables, knives, ingredients, chef coats, supplies, time, labor, and knowledge.
Some gather at our table. Some sha
Everyone who gathers at Casa Salcido becomes part of what makes Taller possible. Our culinary experiences, stays, retreats, and gatherings help keep Taller tuition-free.
Generous collaborators have also shared kitchen equipment, tables, knives, ingredients, chef coats, supplies, time, labor, and knowledge.
Some gather at our table. Some share what they have. Everyone has something of value to contribute.
Chef Silvana and Kinnise practicing tableside presentation.
Students prepare a full service for guests alongside Chef Silvana.
Armando on the grill
Students practice service while others learn dining and table etiquette.
Chef Silvana teaches the art of table service.
Chef Silvana spent a lifetime gathering knowledge from family kitchens, professional kitchens, restaurants, travel, mistakes, victories, and thousands of meals. At Taller, that knowledge meets another generation.
We teach what we know.
We receive what they know.
They carry it forward.

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