Franschhoek Cooking Experience: Small Group Half-Day Exploration of South African Cuisine
5.0
75 Ratings
Franschhoek

Immerse yourself in the soul of South African cuisine with a small group half-day cooking experience in Franschhoek. Discover the region’s rich culinary history, savor local produce, and connect with like-minded food lovers.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 40 Huguenot St - Embark on a gastronomic experience in the enchanting winelands, guided by the expertise of seasoned chef Nicola Spilsbury. Discover the joy of cooking and dining as she unveils the secrets behind delectable dishes. Savor the fruits of your labor paired with exquisite local wines, all in the heart of wine country. Elevate your…
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What's Included
  • Dinner provided.
  • Access to all kitchen equipment and tools.
Meal Options
  • Cape Malay Mussels - Steamed in a Cape Malay curry & coconut cream broth served with “braaied” ciabatta bread
  • Harvest Table Style Main Course - Local Trout, with herbs, lemon & wild garlic
    Jungle slaw , rooibos dressing
    Roast curried potatoes
    Wagu steak, leek butter & crunchy butternut.
  • Milktart & Ice cream - Traditional South African melktert…
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Additional Information

Situated in the scenic locale of Franschhoek, esteemed as the ‘epicentre of gastronomy and wine in South Africa,’ you find yourself in an enchanting kitchen, set against the backdrop of sprawling vineyards and breathtaking mountain vistas. The surroundings radiate serenity, with the fragrance of blossoming flowers permeating the atmosphere and the…

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Location
40 Huguenot St
Huguenot Street
Traveling along the main road, turn into The Yard, a charming courtyard in the centre of Franschhoek. Then walk through the foliage arch and down the walkway through to the picturesque courtyard, where you will find Spilsbury's located on the right hand side. We will be waiting to welcome you !
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(75 Ratings)
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Joanne_a
Jun 3, 2025
Best excursion!! - This is an experience not to be missed if you are in the Franschhoek area. Nicola is an amazing chef and it was a pleasure and honour to be cooking with her. Our group of 4 had so much fun!! Nicola chose some authentic recipes and everyone in the group were able to participate in the preparation of each dish. The hands on experience was amazing, the tips and tricks that Nicola shared with us made it that we all walked away with an even greater love of cooking. From the wine, the music and the delicious dishes, it was definitely an evening we will never forget and this was certainly a highlight to our trip in South Africa!! Cheers to Nicola!! We feel privileged and honoured that you shared with us your kitchen and your passion for cooking!!
Review provided by Viator
Rjbeinhorn
May 28, 2025
An Evening To Remember - Sharing laughs, learning new recipes, and creating beautiful memories with friends during our cooking class. There’s something so special about coming together over food—grateful for the joy, connection, and delicious food we cooked. We will all be trying to replicate some of Nicola’s recipes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tombz3084ou
May 19, 2025
A real Franschhoek Feast! - We had an amazing time with Nicola, Rosie and the other guests at Spilsbury’s Kitchen. Nicola made the group really comfortable and welcome - lots of interesting and useful cooking tips and great recipes to take away. Lovely local fizz and wine flowed all evening and we ate the dishes as a group together at the end lit by candlelight enjoying one another’s company. What a special evening! Nicola is a great teacher and wonderful host - wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her classes to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hannahtr7558nw
May 13, 2025
MUST DO IN CAPE TOWN! - Taking a cooking class with my mom and Chef Nicola was an experience I will never forget. From the moment we stepped into her kitchen, Nicola made us feel completely welcomed and at home! Her warmth, kindness, and passion for cooking were felt in every moment that evening. Nicola has a presence about her that invites people to share stories, laughter, and a beautiful connection through food. Watching my mom enjoy herself, learning side by side, and creating something delicious together was something I will never forget. Thank you Nicola and her sweet sweet assistant Rosie for such a beautiful experience and warm welcome to your country!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A4455ufhannaht
May 12, 2025
MUST DO!! - My mom and I took a trip to South Africa this April/May and this cooking class with Nicola was one of our favorite things about the trip! From the second we walked in, Nicola made us feel right at home. Like we were cooking in our own kitchen! It was inspiring to hear and see her passion about her cooking and her overall love for what she does. Her helper Rosie was also sweet as could be. The food was nothing short of delicious, and even more enjoyable knowing we made it by hand! Absolutely add this to your bucket list if you’re ever in the area. Made new friends and will cherish these memories for life!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Garypy9828ri
May 2, 2025
Awesome. Satisfying. Great time. Highly recommended. Truly a fantastic experience - We have experienced a few cooking classes during our travels over the years. In most cases we left underwhelmed with the event. You could say we are a tough class! But with Sillsbury that was not the case. The evening was a complete success with great food, great conversation, learning about South African food, fine wine, fantastic conversation, a lively humor. Chef Nicola did a fantastic job presenting her skills in a way that was both complete, understandable and just plain awesome. And her assistant Rosie was invaluable in supporting the evening. Highly recommend when in Franschhoek this is a must do. Go meet Chef Nicola and Rosie, they are the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
11tanishas
Apr 25, 2025
Best experience in Franschhoek! - One of my top/favorite experiences during my honeymoon in South Africa. The food was remarkable, but that was only the beginning - Nicola is personable, warm, welcoming, and has a natural ability to get along with everyone and keep the environment lively and fun. My husband and I were joined by 2 other couples (who traveled together) for this experience, and by the end, it was like we were all friends! In terms of food, I loved that Nicola showcased a lot of local authentic foods, but also called out where it was a mix of cultures. She taught a lot of cooking techniques but also didn’t pressure us to cook if we wanted to just sit back and watch the magic happen. The food was incredible; everything was well seasoned, and there was such a variety of flavors and spices that shined through. We happened to attend the class when there was loadshedding (electricity cut at 8p), yet it didn’t change how wonderful the experience was. We enjoyed our food by candlelight, had great conversation and such a fabulous time. 1000x recommend to all my friends! We hope to be back soon, Nicola!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lawrencelam08
Apr 25, 2025
Amazing Experience! - Me and my wife’s experience at Spilsbury was nothing short of remarkable. Nicola is a fantastic host and chef. It felt like she welcomed us into her home for a nice dinner. My favorite dishes consisted of the peri peri chicken and bobotie. My wife and I learned a lot and are very eager to try making these dishes once back in the US. If you’re visiting Franschoek, the Spilsbury experience should be one of the top things you do!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smudge4465
Apr 20, 2025
Great fun cooking school - Hubby & I had great fun at informal cookery School with the fabulously talented Nicola Spilsbury and team colleague Rosie. Joined by two other couples who bonded nicely with us. Nicola’s tuition was hands on, very encouraging and caters for all abilities. Very relaxed fun atmosphere with great wine to accompany. Fabulous food we made and ate together at the end of the evening. We laughed so much. Can highly recommend. Loved it so much did not want to leave and have genuinely booked tomorrow night too! 10 out of 10!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gillettps
Apr 19, 2025
Wonderful cooking experience!! - We recently visited Franschhoek in the Cape which has to be one of the beautiful places with stunning views and scenery. We were fortunate to experience an amazing evening with Chef Nicola and her wonderful assistant Rosie, at her teaching kitchen, Spilsbury Kitchen. 6 of us were treated to an incredible evening leaning how to assemble numerous courses of yummy Italian cuisine. Nicola was very informative, patient, a great teacher and just great fun. We learned so much about the various ingredients she used and how to turn them into such tasty and impressive dishes. We had such an enjoyable evening with her and are looking forward to trying out the various recipes when we return home. Thanks so much !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $117
From $117
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).