“Culinary Splendour in Kerala: A Gourmet 11-Day Journey at The Pimenta”
10 Night 11 Day Culinary Immersion in Kerala at The Pimenta
10 Night / 11 Day Culinary Immersion in Kerala at The Pimenta
Experience culinary splendour in Kerala at The Pimenta! Embark on a 10-night / 11-day culinary adventure in Kerala, meticulously crafted for both aspiring chefs and passionate foodies! The Pimenta offers an immersive experience where you can explore Kerala’s vibrant culinary traditions amidst breathtaking landscapes, from serene backwaters to the enchanting Western Ghats.
Duration: 10 nights / 11 days
Focus: Immersive vegetarian cooking, Ayurvedic principles, cultural exploration
Skill Level: Designed for both aspiring chefs and passionate foodies
Group Size: Maximum six participants, ensuring personalized attention
Program Overview:
- Unveiling Kerala's Culinary Secrets: Enhance your cooking prowess with hands-on classes that delve into the rich flavours of both South Indian and North Indian cuisines, all infused with traditional Ayurvedic principles. Our program is designed for vegetarian cooking enthusiasts, ensuring an exclusive focus on plant-based culinary delights.
- Available Year-Round: While the program runs throughout the year, we recommend visiting in February, March, April, May, July, August, or September for the best experience.
- Themed Daily Sessions: Each day features morning sessions dedicated to specific spices, grains, and cooking styles. Evenings are reserved for hands-on cooking classes and delightful dinners.
- Intimate Learning Experience: To ensure personalized attention and an optimal learning environment, each program is limited to a maximum of six participants. Solo travellers are also welcome for one-on-one interactions.
- New for This Year! Join our exciting bean-to-bar chocolate workshop and discover the entire chocolate-making process, from cocoa beans to delicious chocolate bars.
Daily Itinerary: Your Culinary Journey
Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
- Check-in, enjoy a delightful lunch, and begin your introduction to regional cuisine with a cooking session and dinner.
Day 2 Tuesday: Exploring Local Vegetables
- Visit local markets and growing fields to discover unique vegetables, followed by a hands-on cooking session and dinner.
Day 3 (Wednesday): Trip to the Hills
- Explore cardamom, tea, coffee, and spice plantations, enjoy breakfast and lunch outdoors, a cooking session, and dinner.
Day 4 (Thursday): Spices & Grains
- Learn about essential spices and grains used in vegetarian cooking, with hands-on cooking sessions for lunch and dinner.
Day 5 (Friday): Mastering Spice Blends
- Create your own traditional spice blends like Garam Masala and Sฤmbhar during two cooking sessions, followed by lunch and dinner.
Day 6 (Saturday): Scenic Backwater Cruise
- Enjoy a quick cooking session for a picnic lunch before embarking on a serene backwater cruise. Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
Day 7 (Sunday): Chutneys & Pickles
- Prepare a variety of chutneys and pickles with two dedicated cooking sessions, including lunch and a delicious dinner.
Day 8 (Monday): Kerala Sadhya Feast
- Learn to prepare the traditional Kerala Sadhya, a festive feast, with continued preparation and a lesson on the traditional way of eating.
Day 9 (Tuesday): Cochin Sightseeing
- Explore Cochin, visiting local markets and cooking utensil shops. Lunch will be at a restaurant, with dinner options for seafood or vegetarian establishments.
Day 10 (Wednesday): Local Exploration
- Visit local places of interest and a snack-producing company.Visit local points of interest and a snack-producing company. Conclude the day with a doubt-clearing session, late dinner, and a final cooking session.
Day 11 (Thursday): Farewell
- Enjoy a farewell breakfast and depart with cherished memories of your culinary journey.
Beyond the Kitchen: Unique Excursions & Experiences
Immerse yourself in Kerala’s rich culture with a variety of included excursions:
- Art on Trucks: Discover the vibrant artistic culture through beautifully decorated trucks.
- Rubber to Rubber Bands: Witness the fascinating process of transforming rubber into rubber bands at a factory.
- Thread to Cloth Weaving: Observe the intricate process of traditional cloth weaving.
- Farmers Markets & Spice Shops: Experience the vibrant atmosphere of local markets and shop for authentic Kerala spices.
- Plastic-Free Organic Shops: Explore sustainable shopping options offering organic products without plastic packaging.
- Local Ferry Rides: Experience the charm of local ferry rides (subject to seasonal availability).
- Festivals & Plantation Visits: Participate in local festivals (if available) and tour plantations where spices, tea, and coffee are cultivated.
- Pineapple Market & Plantation: Stop by the pineapple market to taste fresh local fruits.
- Temples & Churches: Visit historic religious sites, appreciating their architectural beauty and cultural significance.
- Dining & Snack Tasting: Discover Keralaโs culinary delights through dining out in local restaurants and tasting sessions at snack-making places.
Pricing & Packages (Valid up to May 31, 2026)
Prices are approximate for international currencies and subject to exchange rates at the time of booking.
- Cooking Participant (Solo - Private Room): โน185,460 (starting from $2,220 USD)
- Two Cooking Participants (Double Room): โน250,140 (starting from $3,000 USD)
What's Included:
COOKING PARTICIPANT: Full program access
- Expert-led hands-on cooking sessions.
- Recipe booklet
- Certificate of completion
- Hands-on participation
- Accommodation in eco-friendly garden bungalows with air conditioning and ceiling fans. Rooms have en-suite washrooms with WC toilets.
- All meals featuring a rich variety of vegetarian dishes.
- All scheduled excursions and local experiences as outlined.
- Bottled drinking water.
- Bean-to-Bar Chocolate workshop.
What's Not Included:
- Taxi fares to and from The Pimenta (transport can be arranged).
- Tips for staff.
- Alcohol (not sold at the retreat; please bring your own if desired).
Accommodation & Amenities
Accommodation in eco-friendly garden bungalows with air conditioning and ceiling fans. Rooms have en-suite washrooms with WC toilets.
Practical Information Section
Getting There:
- Nearest Airport: Cochin International (45 โ 60 minutes)
- Railway Station: Ernakulam 150 minutes Aluva 100 minutes and Kottayam 150 minutes
- Transportation assistance available
Best Time to Visit:
- Ideal: January, February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November and December
- Monsoon cooking: June-September
- Peak season: December-March
What to Bring:
- Comfortable cooking clothes
- Closed-toe shoes for kitchen
- Apron is provided
- Notebooks to make notes
- Camera for memories
Dietary Accommodations:
- Allergies: Please inform at booking
- Special diets: Jain, gluten-free available inform at booking
- Spice tolerance: Adjustable to preference
Booking Process:
- Initial inquiry and availability check
- 30% nonrefundable deposit to confirm booking with mailing address and a copy of the passport which has validity for the dates of the program. Also make sure that you have a valid visa for the time of the program
- Balance payment on arrival which is nonrefundable except we could not conduct the program.
- Confirmation with detailed information pack
Accepted Payments:
- Payments are accepted in Indian Rupees, US Dollars, Euros, UK Pounds, and Cards.
- Bank transfer
- International wire transfer
- Credit/debit cards (processing fee applies)
Contact Information
๐ง Email: harithafarms@gmail.com
๐ Phone: +91 944 730 2347
๐ Website:www.thepimenta.in
๐ Location: Kerala, India
Booking Hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM IST
- Response time: Within 24 hours