Macayo’s Mexican Food
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A traditional tamalada is a cherished social gathering, especially around the holidays, when family and friends come together to make tamales. Generations bond as they divvy up hojas, spread masa and stuff these crowd-favorites with savory or sweet fillings.
Now, one local chain is offering customers the chance to join in this time-honored tradition. Registration is open for tamale-making classes at Macayo’s Mexican Food locations across the Valley.
Workshops run from Nov. 16 through Dec. 21, and each class lasts around two hours. The $60 ticket includes a hands-on workshop plus a three-course meal from the restaurant. Attendees will be greeted with a margarita made with Don Julio Blanco, embracing Macayo’s “margarita state of mind.” However, all ages are welcome, and alternative non-alcoholic beverages are also available.
“It’s about bringing people together, especially the holiday season,” said Ashley Negron, Macayo’s vice president of marketing and brand management. “These are all handcrafted ingredients. Everything’s made by hand.”
Macayo’s Mexican Food, with 14 Arizona locations, has served family recipes since 1946. While their tamales are available for dine-in or takeout year-round, this class offers a unique chance to get hands-on experience and learn tamale-making from scratch – an opportunity returning for its third year.
Participants will learn to make red beef and green corn tamales and can take home 12 to 20 tamales they’ll make during the workshop.
All classes begin at 3 p.m. and are available on the following Saturdays this holiday season:
- Nov. 16 at Macayo’s Scottsdale – 8608 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
- Nov. 23 at Macayo’s Mesa Dobson – 1920 S. Dobson Road, Mesa
- Dec. 7 at Macayo’s Goodyear – 1474 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear
- Dec. 14 at Macayo’s Chandler – 2885 Alma School Road, Chandler
- Dec. 21 at Macayo’s Scottsdale – 8608 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
Each class is limited to 40 participants, with a maximum of four guests per group.
