Cooking Class in Lagoi: Farm to Table in Bintan

Harvest vegetables from the organic farm, then cook and eat in stages at an outdoor kitchen in the countryside.

A cooking class in Lagoi at PONDOK MBAH KAKONG combines farm harvesting with instruction in a six-course Indonesian menu, taught by English-speaking chefs in an outdoor kitchen. Private transportation picks you up from Bintan Resort Area or the Ferry Terminal. The class splits cooking and eating into stages so you taste each dish fresh, and both meat and vegan options are prepared. Children from age 3 are welcome.

The experience

The morning, afternoon or evening begins with pickup from your hotel or the ferry, a drive through villages into the countryside, and arrival at PONDOK MBAH KAKONG with a cup of coffee or herbal tea. Before any cooking starts, you walk the organic farm with a harvesting knife and basket, collecting the long beans, chilies, lemongrass and spices that will go into the day's menu. Your guide explains how the farm grows without synthetic pesticides and which local plants serve as medicine. This is the farm-to-table part made concrete, not a phrase.

The cooking happens in an outdoor kitchen surrounded by the sounds and sights of the farm. You work at a communal cooking area with other participants, and the chefs guide you through each step of the six-course menu, starting with Opor Ayam: the foundational dish of Indonesian cuisine. The instruction focuses on technique: grinding and mixing the spice paste with a stone mortar, releasing the fragrances of galangal, turmeric and ginger. Both meat and vegan versions of each dish are prepared, so you choose what you cook. Rather than waiting until the end for a cold meal, the class splits into stages. You cook, then eat that course, then move to the next one, so everything arrives hot and fresh.

The whole experience runs about four hours from pickup to return. Air-conditioned transport is included, and refreshments arrive with you at the start. This is a hands-on class, not a demonstration: you are the one grinding spices, harvesting vegetables and standing at the stove.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Bintan Resort Area or Ferry Terminal.
• farm entry and harvesting.
• instruction from English-speaking chefs.
• a six-course menu with both meat and vegan options.
• refreshments on arrival.
• use of the outdoor kitchen and all cooking equipment.
• air-conditioned vehicle for transport.

Options for this experience

3 options

Morning ClassGuide in English · 08:30Lasts 4 hours, and pickup by car is included

Afternoon ClassGuide in English · 12:30Lasts 4 hours, and pickup by car is included

Evening ClassGuide in English · 15:30The cooking class runs for 4 hours, and pickup by car is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 12:30 and 15:30

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (3 to 7 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 16 days ago

Good to know

Not recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Pondok Mbah Kakong

Is this one for you?The communal outdoor kitchen and the farm-to-table setup suit travelers who want hands-on cooking instruction and are comfortable working in a group. The morning, afternoon and evening options let you fit the class into whatever free time your itinerary has, and pickup from the resort or ferry means no separate transport to arrange.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 7 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What do I actually harvest at the farm before cooking?

You collect long beans, chilies, lemongrass and other fresh vegetables and spices that will be used in the six-course menu. Your guide shows you how the farm operates without synthetic pesticides and shares how local plants are used for medicine.

Can I choose between meat and vegan options?

Yes. Both versions of each dish are prepared during the class, so you decide which one you cook and eat at each stage.

How does the "Cook-Eat-Cook-Eat" approach work?

Instead of cooking everything and eating at the end, the class splits into stages. You cook one course, eat it fresh, then move to the next one. This way each dish arrives hot rather than cold.

What time options are available for the class?

Morning, afternoon and evening classes are offered. You choose your preferred time when you book.

Is pickup included, and where does it start?

Yes, private transportation is included. Pickup happens from your hotel in Bintan Resort Area or from the Ferry Terminal, and the drive takes you through the countryside to PONDOK MBAH KAKONG.