Negril: Jamaican Farm Cooking Show with Dinner & Pickup

Summary

Farm-to-table cooking show near Negril with local hosts

You’ll join a small group for a hands-on farm tour in Jamaica’s hills near Negril before settling in for a five-course cooking show and dinner with wine. Expect real flavors, laughter with your hosts, and maybe even live African drumming if you visit midweek — it’s less like a restaurant, more like being welcomed into someone’s home.

What’s the experience like?

The van was late picking us up from Negril — not by much, maybe ten minutes, but enough that I started wondering if I’d missed something. Turns out Mark just wanted to make sure everyone had their shoes sorted for the farm tour (I wore sandals, which was… optimistic). The drive up into the hills felt like peeling away layers of noise; sugar cane fields sliding past, windows down, air thick and green-smelling. When we finally pulled up at Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio, Alecia greeted us with this ginger drink that nearly cleared my sinuses. She laughed when I coughed — “That’s how you know it’s real!”

I didn’t expect the farm tour to be so hands-on. We wandered between banana trees and callaloo patches while one of the kids pointed out lizards sunning themselves on rocks. The soil was warm under my feet (should’ve worn sneakers), and everything smelled like rain even though it hadn’t rained yet. Our guide explained how they use every part of the coconut — I tried cracking one open and made a mess of it, but nobody seemed to mind. There was this moment where the breeze shifted and you could hear drumming from somewhere up the hill — Wednesdays and Fridays get live African drumming, apparently. It felt like being let in on a family secret.

The main event is the cooking show — five courses cooked right in front of us. I picked shrimp but there were vegan options too; someone else went for chicken. Watching Alecia work is kind of hypnotic: she moves fast but always has time to explain what goes into each dish (“Scotch bonnet — careful!”). We all tasted as we went along; I still think about that smoky pepper sauce. Dinner itself happened around a big table with wine (included), laughter bouncing off the walls, people swapping stories about other places they’d been. It wasn’t fancy but it felt honest — like eating at someone’s home after a long day outside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Farm to Table Cooking Experience

• Pickup from Negril at 4pm
• Travel 30 minutes to Zimbali Mountain
• Enjoy welcome drink
• Take farm tour
• Watch 5 course cooking show
• Eat 5 course meal
• Receive bottle of wine per couple
• Experience African drumming (Wednesdays and Fridays)
• Return to Negril

Top questions

How far is Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio from Negril?

It’s about 30 minutes by car from Negril to Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio.

Is roundtrip transport included from Negril?

Roundtrip transport is available from anywhere in Negril for $20 per person with pickup at 4pm.

What food options are available during the cooking show?

You can choose fish, shrimp, chicken or vegan/vegetarian dishes for your meal.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with mobility issues?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can ride in prams or strollers.

Are drinks included with dinner?

A welcome drink and a bottle of wine per couple are included with dinner.

When does live African drumming happen?

African drumming is featured on Wednesdays and Fridays during the tour.

What should I wear for the farm tour?

Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be walking around the farm; casual dress is fine.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes, vegan/vegetarian and gluten-free options are available; food allergies are welcome to be communicated.

What’s included

Your experience includes roundtrip pickup from Negril (for an extra fee), a welcome drink on arrival, an interactive farm tour through Jamaican mountain fields, a five-course cooking show and dinner featuring your choice of protein or vegan dishes, plus wine served at your table before heading back down to town.