DETAILSWith a renowned reputation as the only 100% authentic Balinese eatery on the island, Bumbu Bali cooking school helps visitors to the area discover the lesser known, traditional flavours of local cuisine. Housed within the restaurant of the same name, the beautiful open-air building is a great place to enjoy Bali’s balmy weather whilst learning about, making and sampling flavoursome dishes. Classes start at US$75 per person for the day.
CLASSESClasses run for four hours and are conducted in small groups, commencing at the very source of the restaurant’s fresh ingredients – the local Balinese produce markets. Here, students muck in amongst the early morning action to select vegetables, meat and spices that will be used to make their dishes later on. Groups then head to the beach to meet fishmonger Ibu Nyoman, readied with the best catches of the morning from returning boats. Next is a hearty breakfast of Balinese ‘pastries’ to re-fuel before class begins, where participants have recipes demonstrated to them and then practise preparing dishes themselves in the kitchen.
Bumbu, meaning “spice paste” in the local language, forms the basis for all recipes taught to students at the Bumbu Bali cooking school. Each dish is started by blending unique spices in a traditional stone mortar and pestle, matched to the fish, chicken, beef or vegetable focus of the meal. Having published five cookbooks and led countless classes, chef and restaurant owner Heinz von Holzen is well-versed in the art of carrying students on a culinary journey through Balinese and Indonesian dishes with friend and assistant chef Pak Bagus at his side.
Finally, the group has the opportunity to sample their creations together, and the class is ended with a cup of Balinese coffee, a bowl of black rice pudding and a slice of creamy pumpkin cake.