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Kerala Cooking Class & Spice Garden: Secrets of a Master Home Chef

Step into a Keralan home kitchen and master the art of coconut-based curries, fish molee, and freshly ground spice pastes under the tutelage of a celebrated local chef — then feast on everything you've made.

What to expect

A short boat ride across Lake Vembanad delivers you to Philipkutty's Farm, a working coconut and spice plantation run by the same family for generations. The class begins in the spice garden — vanilla climbing trellises, cardamom in the shade, and cloves drying on mats — before moving to an open-air kitchen. You'll grind fresh coconut chutney on a stone grinder, temper mustard seeds in coconut oil, and assemble a fragrant fish curry from the morning's catch. The meal is served on banana leaves overlooking the lake. It is sensory, personal, and deeply delicious.

Book it with
Philipkutty's Farm & Cooking Experience (Lake Vembanad, Kottayam)
From INR 3,500 per person (approx. USD 42) for a half-day cooking class including lunch and spice garden tour
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Good to know

Philipkutty's Farm is approximately 70 km from Cochin cruise terminal (about 1.5 hrs by private car). Book a private car transfer from the port for the day. Pre-booking is essential — the family hosts limited guests. Vegetarian menus are available on request.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Cochin — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Azamara · Azamara Onward
17 nights · calls at Cochin
from $6,324
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Regent · Seven Seas Splendor
141 nights · calls at Cochin
from $107,499
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MSC Cruises · MSC Magnifica
115 nights · calls at Cochin
from $18,749
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See all cruises to Cochin →
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