The best way to learn about a culture is by tasting its food. So when I visited Bali in June, there was no better way for me to immerse myself than by taking a cooking class at Bali Farm Cooking School.

At Taman Dukuh, you aren’t confined to the kitchen. With the choice to select between morning, afternoon, and evening classes with or without a market visit, as well as vegan and vegetarian options, they offer inclusive and wide-ranging experience for all tastes and preferences.

I opted for the morning class with market visit, which included the full package of: market visit, farm experience, and cooking class.

Market

With a 7:30am start, a knowledgeable and friendly team guided us through the local market. Here, we discovered ingredients that make up Indonesian cuisine. From dragon fruit to snake fruit, we sampled a variety of native foods, expanding our knowledge in addition to our tastes.

Farm

We then harvested vegetables and herbs straight from the school’s farm—a true farm-to-table experience! We harvested leafy greens and lemongrass, as well as turmeric and ginger from the earth. From their sustainable organic principles to partnerships with local organic farmers in the surrounding area, it was immediately evident that sustainability is core to Taman Dukuh’s values. There's something so special about knowing exactly where your food comes from as it connects you directly to the land and the people who cultivate it.

Table

Upon arriving at the kitchen space, we were treated with snacks from the local market and handed cookbooks with all the recipes we were to make that morning. From Gado Gado (blanched vegetables with peanut sauce) to Perkedel Jagung (crispy Balinese corn fritters) to Bubur Injin (Balinese black rice pudding), the authentic Balinese flavours offered unparalleled tastes and satisfied every craving imaginable.

What I loved about Bali Farm Cooking School is that it wasn’t just a cooking class. From the farm to the table, every element of this experience was complemented with stories that shape the food. This insanely delicious four course meal was also a four course lesson in the local climate, history, tradition, and people.

Disclaimer: This is a paid partnership with Bali Farm Cooking School, but all thoughts are my own.