Learning to cook in Bali is certainly a novel experience that often goes beyond food to encompass the sharing of local hospitality and culture. Cooking lessons as structured in Bali take guests beyond the kitchen, to the very source of where the ingredients come from. Through walks in the rice fields, to visiting the markets and then to learn how to cook and even how to eat these food, it is a holistic experience that invites guests into the home and hearts of the local Balinese.
Many cooking schools have been set up all around Bali, and here are some of the best:
1. Traditional Village experience: Paon Bali Cooking Class 
The Paon Bali cooking class experience will allow guests to choose between a morning experience and afternoon experience, the latter excluding the market tour. Situated in the traditional village of Laplapan, guests will make use of the community guest kitchen to unlock the secrets behind tasty Balinese food. Enjoy a tour of the market, followed by a stroll in the rice fields where hosts will explain how rice is planted and harvested. Guests may even visit the host’s own home, where they will explain Balinese family life.
Then, start cooking! A variety of delicious dishes will be cooked, with options for vegetarian ones as well. Everyone gets a chance to try their hand at the preparation and cooking, and of course, when all is done, everyone gets to tuck in and enjoy the hearty meal in the middle of a lovely village surrounded by rice fields.
2. Balinese Gourmet Cuisine: Lobong Cooking Class
Guests all leave Lobong Cooking Classes armed with the intimate knowledge of how to prepare a mouthwatering, lip smacking gourmet Balinese meal inclusive of appetizers, entrees, accompanying side dishes and of course, dessert.
Upon arrival, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and savor the host’s homemade famous Goreng Pisang, delightfully crunchy and sweet. As you proceed for the class, an instructional booklet will be given to you so you don’t forget any of the recipes even after you go home. An example of just some of the dishes on the menu would be Kare Ayam, which is braised chicken leg in coconut sauce, Nasi Sela which is sweet potato rice, and sweet Balinese crepes! Yum!
If you simply don’t have the time for the cooking experience, you can also opt just to dine at the beautiful Balinese compound. Authentic Balinese meals are available, and there is even a western degustation menu if that should take your fancy.
3. Study cooking under the award winning Heinz von Holzen: Bumbu Bali Cooking Class
Learn from the best of the best, Heinz von Holzen, author of five highly acclaimed cookbooks, (The Food of Bali, Bali Unveiled – The Secrets of Balinese Cuisine, Feast of Flavors from the Balinese Kitchen, Feast of Flavors from the Indonesian Kitchen, and Street Food in Bali). The whole experience is an adventure for the senses. Start off by heading to the market and witness the morning buzz. Following this, transfer to the beach to watch how fishermen unload the fresh produce of the sea. Then, enjoy a breakfast of Balinese cakes, fruits, black rice pudding and a bowl of tender sweet rice flour dumplings in palm sugar coconut sauce.
When bellies have been filled, join the chefs in whipping up more than 20 recipes of delicious traditional dishes. From Pisang Goreng to Sate and Papaya Salad with Prawn, you will be blown away by the array of good food that you have managed to create.
