Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - In the 1930s, Mexican artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo often hosted festive dinner parties, which Frida called los día de los manteles largos (the days of the long tablecloth), at their Mexico City home.

In attendance were many notables such as Mexican composer Carlos Chávez, Nelson Rockefeller, Leon Trotsky, Frank Lloyd Wright, Orson Welles and Gary Cooper, all eating classic Mexican dishes, listening to Mariachi music, and drinking many copas de tequila.

On Monday, December 22, you can catch a glimpse of what it was like in those days of dining with Frida and Diego by taking Dolores Brittingham's Essence of Cuisine cooking class in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The class is given in the comfort of Dolores and Robert’s private home in Old Town which, I might add, is a showpiece. She starts by welcoming her guests/students with a cocktail, then tells the history behind the meal before she starts the actual cooking instruction.

Dolores' cooking classes feature the "demonstration style" of instruction, a welcome cocktail, an appetizer, a 4 course meal that's served at a large table with dazzling place settings, and wine service throughout the evening.

During the December 22nd 'hands-on' cooking class, which begins promptly at 6:00 pm, Dolores and her guests will be preparing some of Frida's favorite dishes, including:

• Frida's favorite cocktail: Tequila, Pineapple and Cilantro
• Chicken Chilaquiles in Green Tomatillo sauce
• Cheese Enchiladas with Guajillo Sauce
• Poblano Peppers stuffed with Shrimp
• Mexican Rice with Peas and Ham
• Rice Pudding with Raisin soaked in Rum

For additional information, or to sign up for the class, call (322) 222-7017 or send an email to y_brittingham(at)hotmail.com.