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Word of Mouth

Food Writing with the Experts

A joint program of Cocinar Mexicano and Under the Volcano, Word of Mouth writing workshops are held every January in Tepoztlán, one of Mexico's official "magic villages," just an hour outside Mexico City in the foothills of the great volcanoes.

Geared to writers who cook and cooks who write, our food writing workshop overlaps one of Cocinar's most popular weeklong sessions, The Art of Mexican Cuisine, which covers the week leading up to the remarkable Mexican celebration of La Candelaria.

This is an ideal format for those with projects such as magazine or newspaper articles, memoirs, essays, restaurant reviews, cultural histories or cookbooks, as well as anyone hoping to break into the field of food writing.

Enrollment in each workshop is limited to eight, and admission is first come, first served. A brief writing sample (8-10 pages) is required, along with a statement of purpose. Please email us for submission guidelines.

Faculty

Our workshops are led by distinguished writers and editors with a deep love for their craft and experience as teachers.

Format

Word of Mouth workshops meet every morning for three hours while Cocinar Mexicano participants cook, then join the Cocinar group for their gourmet meal of the day. They may occasionally observe the cooking sessions but will not generally be active participants. Afternoons are free for writing and revision, as well as for exploring the cultural attractions of the village. Individual writing conferences are scheduled throughout the week.

Participants in Word of Mouth enjoy all the evening activities and excursions scheduled for the week, including a meal and Q & A with one of our Mexico City guest chefs, our market orientation and Chiles 101, visits to local kitchens and museums, pre-Hispanic technique classes, bartending and wine tasting sessions, and a guided climb to the 14th century pyramid that overlooks the village. They may also join in optional day trips to nearby Cuernavaca, the ruins of Xochicalco, or the pottery village of Tlayacapan. Exact offerings may vary depending on the season, the weather, and the availability of our guest chefs and local hosts.

Cost & Accommodation

The cost for Word of Mouth workshops is the same as that of the Cocinar session scheduled during the same period. Please see the Practicalities page for details and feel free to email us or call if you have any questions. When filling out our online application form, be sure to indicate that you are interested Word of Mouth and indicate the applicable workshop dates.

Participants in Word of Mouth will have access to the same range of lodgings described on the accommodation section of the Tepoztlán page of our website.

Course Descriptions

Food & the Imagination - January 26-February 3, 2008

Instructor: TBA

Since the mouth is our organ for both food and speech, Word of Mouth offers a double pleasure. Food professionals will hone their writing skills and writing professionals will sharpen their sensory skills by focusing on a shared subject and art, Mexican cooking. Experiencing the same food in the same cultural setting should help each writer discover how much perception alters content and learn what form suits the writer's purpose best. Daily writing exercises and group discussion will be based on the lunchtime meals, which will intensify the pleasure of eating with that of writing about it. There will be ample time during the workshops and in individual conferences for participants to present their current projects and for specific editorial and publishing advice.

Questions? info@cocinarmexicano.com
or call us at 212 655 4432