What is included in the class fee?

Everything is provided—ingredients, equipment, and instruction; you simply bring yourself and a cooler if you want to transport leftovers.

Can I adjust recipes for dietary restrictions?

The class is labeled gluten friendly but the facility is not certified gluten-free; contact the organizer in advance to discuss substitutions.

How many tamales will I make and take home?

You will prepare eighteen tamales (nine meat and nine cheese) and can eat some on site while taking the rest home.

What's the cancellation policy?

No refunds within 72 hours of class start time; check the booking page for full cancellation details.

Where is the class held and what about parking?

Meeting point is 1407 1st Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102—downtown Fargo has street parking and nearby lots; allocate time for parking, especially on event evenings.

Tamales with Maria's: Hands-On Tamale Making Class in Fargo | Cooking Class | Workshop

At 1407 1st Ave N in Fargo, a bright industrial kitchen hums with the low, comforting hiss of steam. Tamales with Maria's is a three-hour, hands-on workshop held at Square One Kitchens where Maria Carpenter-Rodriguez, owner of Maria's Homestyle Mexican Food, walks students through making eighteen tamales—nine meat and nine cheese—and a fresh pico de gallo to top them. The class blends practical technique with family recipes: you will mix and season masa, learn wet-to-dry dough consistency, fold masa and fillings into corn husks, and time the steam just right so each tamal cooks through without losing moisture.

The scene is tactile and immediate. A long prep table holds bowls of masa, slow-simmered fillings, and a rack of dried corn husks; stainless-steel steamers hiss on a counter as warm,starch-scented air rises. Key features here are the masa—the corn-based dough that defines tamales—the steaming method that sets texture, and the pico that brightens each bite. Students practice assembly in small teams, so expect hands-on repetition and steady feedback from Maria as she demonstrates pressing, spreading, and folding techniques inherited from generations of home cooks.

Beyond technique, the class is a cultural moment. Tamales are an enduring dish in Mexican and indigenous Mesoamerican foodways, made across festivals and family gatherings; Maria’s class translates that domestic tradition into a teachable skill, preserving flavor and method inside Fargo’s food scene. The location doubles as a community hub: Square One Kitchens offers commercial-grade equipment and a downtown setting convenient for visitors staying in Fargo.

Everything required is supplied, so you arrive empty-handed and leave with eighteen freshly steamed tamales, reheating and freezing tips, and confidence to make them at home. The workshop is labeled gluten friendly, though Square One Kitchens is not a certified gluten-free facility; note that substitutions for dietary needs should be discussed in advance. Wine, beer, and nonalcoholic beverages are available for purchase during the session.

Practical details: the class runs three hours, is suitable for cooks with basic kitchen familiarity, and emphasizes technique over speed. Gather a notebook if you want Maria’s exact seasoning ratios, bring a cooler for take-home portions if you’re traveling, and be prepared to stand and work during the session. For visitors to Fargo looking for hands-on culinary culture, Tamales with Maria's offers a direct, flavorful way into regional food life—part cooking lesson, part community table, and all about learning a recipe that feeds people and memories.

Expect clear instruction, patient pacing, and opportunities to ask questions about ingredients and preservation. If you’re visiting in winter, plan extra travel time in case of snow; summers bring an easy walkable downtown. This class is equal parts technique, taste, and local hospitality—a practical culinary souvenir to bring home back.

About Square One

Square One is a culinary studio and experience host based in Fargo, North Dakota. The company partners with local chefs to offer hands-on cooking classes and themed dinner events that focus on technique, flavor, and approachable recipes.

Classes are led by experienced instructors such as Chef Paul Haugen, Kavita Rami, and Maria from Maria's Homestyle Mexican Food, each bringing regionally inspired menus and professional guidance. Offerings include Sushi Saturday, a hands-on sushi workshop; Date Night: Green Curry with Homemade Naan, an immersive Thai cooking session; Spices & Traditions: Chana Masala, a class on Indian spice blending and traditional preparations; and Quesabirria with Maria's Homestyle Mexican Food, a birria-focused tacos and broth workshop.

Sessions typically emphasize knife skills, rice seasoning, spice blending, and step-by-step techniques that guests can replicate at home. Square One provides fresh ingredients and recipe instruction to support adult learners looking for date-night experiences, cultural cuisine exploration, or skill-building classes. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, the studio offers two- to two-and-a-half-hour classes tailored to small groups and hands-on participation.

The business emphasizes practical culinary education delivered by local chefs with identifiable menus and learning outcomes. Square One presents clear class descriptions, instructor names, and focused menus to help guests choose experiences that match dietary interests and skill levels. For travelers and local food enthusiasts in Fargo, Square One offers accessible, chef-led experiences designed to build confidence in the home kitchen while exploring diverse cuisines. Booking details, schedules, and dietary notes are provided with each class listing for participants.