AN URBAN ORGANIC FARM-STAY
Who says you can’t have it all?
Located less than ten minutes from the centre of Canggu, Bali’s heart of multicultural diversity, forty minutes to undisturbed surf beaches and an hour from the cultural and artistic centre of Ubud, Master Chef Will Meyrick’s Canggu Cooking Retreat provides an array of options for the curious and creative traveller. Whether travelling solo, with friends, or with family, Canggu Cooking Retreat has everything for an unforgettable, authentic and enriching Bali culinary experience.
Urban Farmhouse
Drawing inspiration from a childhood in Portugal, internationally renowned chef Will Meyrick has brought the rural elegance of an urban farm to Bali. Reminiscent of the homes of his youth, large, airy rooms, spacious verandahs and shared indoor and outdoor spaces, including a swimming pool, are ideal settings for long lunches or simply to relax and enjoy peaceful solitude. Manicured grounds lead to vegetable gardens bursting with fresh produce, and stalls for the kitchen pigs, foraging for compost. The Balinese chickens enjoy life in a bamboo ‘palace’, providing the Villa with fresh eggs and great fertilizer.
As the owner and chef of some of Bali’s best and most authentic restaurants, Will Meyrick is a well-known name across the country and one of the most respected maestros of the South East Asian food scene. Will continues to explore the culinary landscape of Asia, taking inspiration from the unique food culture of each destination. He can be found at street stalls, in neighborhood kitchens and backyards, at markets, getting off the beaten track to get to the heart of the dishes that move and shake him, tracking down the original recipes that are handed down through generations.
Dining Options
Good food, effortlessly provided and gracefully served, is a vital part of a relaxing holiday experience. Such is the reputation of the kitchen team at Canggu Cooking Retreat that many guests choose to dine exclusively ‘at home’ even though amazing restaurants are only 10 minutes away.
Breakfast is a feast in itself, with a choice of continental, American or Indonesian dishes to start your day; and for lunch and dinner there’s an extensive menu of delicious home-style Indonesian, Asian and international cuisines. There’san excellent selection of snacks, vegetarian options and children’s favourites, and the chefs can tailor dishes to accommodate any special dietary requirements or prepare meals for up to 40 guests should you wish to host a memorable dinner party whilst in residence.
Groceries and beverages are charged at cost, with guests requested to provide grocery money in advance. The staff will then do the shopping, keeping the receipts for reference. To make the most of the kitchen and give staff time to shop, it is advised to plan meals the evening before.
Daily Activities
At Canggu Cooking Retreat the choice is yours. The in-house team are ready make a culinary dream come true, providing fresh, organically grown food and teaching guests how to make exquisitely spiced and flavoured Balinese and Indonesian dishes. The team accompanies guests to the vibrant local markets and introduces them to the rice terraces, palaces and magnificent temples that represent the history of the island and dictate much of the way the Balinese live from day to day.
Romantic sunsets, cliff-side temples and a lively beach and café scene are within in easy reach of Canggu Cooking Retreat, with the friendly staff ready to help with any arrangements.
Canggu Cooking Retreat Activities include:
Food Experiences
Indonesian cuisine is among the most vibrant and colorful in the world, bursting with intense flavors. Join the amazing food tours and visit local markets to learn more about fresh ingredients, before cooking up a delicious meal with professional chefs or sampling authentic dishes at the local warungs. With Will Meyrick on board it would be impossible not to offer amazing food experiences. All food tours and cooking classes are one-day tours and are run not only in Bali, but also all over Java.There are day and night tours to visit 5–6 different warungs.
Cooking Classes
Meet the international and Indonesian chefs of Sarong Group, expert in all aspects of Indonesian cuisine and more than happy to share their knowledge with guests of the villa.
Street Food Tour
It can be daunting knowing where to start with the vast array of street food offerings. On the Canggu Cooking Retreat street food tour guests are introduced to some famous street food dishes, and learn the vocabulary of street food, to avoid ever going hungry again!
Special Experiences with Will Meyrick and Sarong Group Chefs
Street Food Cooking Class with Cycling
“Learn about Bali through its authentic flavours, with Will Meyrick, one of the best chefs on the island”
In the Tabanan Regency guests meet local food expert Will Meyrick or one of the head chefs from his outstanding restaurants.
This cooking class is driven by Will’s philosophy of introducing local produce to a wider audience. He has developed close relationships with local farmers, using their fresh produce in his restaurants for many years. In honoring these relationships, guests are invited to experience authentic Balinese life through a day-long cycling trip that combines scouring a traditional market for fresh ingredients, easy cycling, traditional craft making, a private cooking class conducted by a renowned chef and a few more exciting activities.
Guests will cycle through the Regency’s rice terraces and rivers, seeing where the fresh water flows through the “subak” system to water the paddy fields, before experiencing picturesque villages framed by mountains with quiet roads and traditional houses. Upon arrival at the market, guests will enjoy an authentic Balinese breakfast before continuing on to the cooking class site at Canggu.
The cooking class is with Will Meyrick himself, who will lead you through 5 different Balinese recipes; you can even borrow a few secrets from the master as you prepare your lunch together.
Will Meyrick’s Secret recipes revealed.
“Learn to cook your favourite dishes after your meal at the best restaurant in Bali”
At last the secrets of Will Meyrick’s restaurants can be revealed. Some of the signature dishes from the menus of Sarong, Mamasan, Som Chaiand Hujan Localeare now available with guests selecting their favourite three dishes and even their own chef!Sarong Group’s head chefs, local trained experts in the culinary cuisine of the region, and Tim Bartholomew, Hujan Locale’s Executive Chef, are all part of the ‘Secret Recipe Reveal’ team and are experts in the preparation of all dishes in Will Meyrick’s restaurants. When available, Master Chef Will Meyrick will present a personal introduction to his own cooking techniques.
This is an incredible opportunity to learn some amazing recipes from the best – and bring home a lasting memory of Bali.
Other Activities
Mountain Biking for All
From idyllic white sand beaches to fiery volcanoes, from rugged barren landscapes to dense jungle, our Indonesian Mountain Bike Adventures let you discover it all up close. We operate everything from one to fourteen day rides, soft adventure family tours or multiple days of single track for the more experienced mountain bikers. Our mountain bike tours are all about riding the best trails and quiet back roads here in Indonesia. We have three levels of difficulty, ranging from soft adventure/family, to intermediate or advanced tours. The duration of our mountain bike tours can be anything from one–day up to fourteen days, where we visit several islands. Accommodation is generally in three-star, locally owned hotels and sometimes guest- houses in the more remote areas. We operate our mountain bike tours all over Java, Bali, Sulawesi, Lombok and Flores.Our mountain bike tour packages are not just about the cycling. We also want our guests to experience the local cultures and environment. On our Infinity bike tours we love our guests to have great fun, cycle, eat amazing food and discover what the different islands have to offer.
Whether beginners, kids, leisurely riders or extreme action junkies, Canggu Cooking Retreat has a personal relationship with the Indonesian mountain biking community and will team you up with the best guide for your ride. From the beaches to the volcano rim we will get you there on great machines, equipped for safety and in expert hands.
Surf Lessons
From grommet waves to gnarly breaks, Bali’s surf has attracted visitors for almost five decades who revel in the opportunity to take board to water and achieve the blissful sensation of surfing the Island of the Gods. Being located near to Canggu means Canggu Cooking Retreat is close to Echo, Batu Bolong and Berawa breaks. Beginners can start out at Batu Bolong, while the more experienced can head up the coast to Mengwi and Balian.
Horse riding
An ever growing number of highly reputable stables are within easy access of Canggu Cooking Retreat, from equestrian and dressage riding to beach rides, a day on horseback in Bali can be very rewarding.
Canggu Bike Ride
One of our favorite pastimes is to slow things down with a pedal around the local area, having time to see that Canggu still remains a tranquil village with pretty laneways and leafy paths.
Morning Traditional Market
Early risers will love this excursion to the local markets. Not only are they colourful to look at they are colourful to hear! The locals like nothing more than welcoming visitors, usually with a cheeky joke or two. Prepare to practice your bargaining skills and bring a big smile.
Canggu Cooking Retreat can arrange for motor bike and push bike hire. We ask that all guests use our reputable, insured providers, provide the correct documentation and be aware of road and safety regulations before attempting to ride.
