Cultural Continuum’s tamale workshop at Mercado la Paloma

Mercado La Paloma has launched a new educational culinary program called “Mercado Cooks” as part of the center’s “Cultural Continuum” series kicking off Sunday with the Mercado’s holiday marketplace where local artisans and vendors will be selling their goods from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A tamale-making workshop on Dec. 14 will be the first in a series of cooking classes offered by “Mercado Cooks,” which aims to connect members of the culinary community through its new culinary sponsorship program. The class is just in time for any Angelenos wanting to learn how to make homemade tamales for the holidays.

From 6 to 9 p.m., chef Gilberto Cetina of Chichen Itza will be teaching workshop participants how to make Yucatan-inspired banana-wrapped tamales. The workshop’s curriculum includes making traditional Yucatan tamale fixings such as atole de pepitas, a pumpkin seed porridge; vaporcito de pollo, banana-leaf-wrapped chicken; brazo de reina, special rolled tamales made with chaya; and tobijoloch, sweet green corn.

The workshop will be followed by a four-course dinner for participants. Tickets are $70 per person and can be purchased online. 3655 S. Grand Ave., L.A., (213) 748-1963, www.mercadolapaloma.com.

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