Cooking with Novi makes Bali food hands-on. You’ll choose a bespoke menu, cook 5 dishes in about four hours, and settle in at a relaxed pace with homemade refreshments. It’s the kind of class where the teaching feels professional, but nobody hurries you out the door.

I especially like the way Novi tailors menus to your needs, including dietary restrictions like gluten-free, vegetarian, and even shrimp allergy requests. I also like the hands-on, step-by-step teaching style, so you’re not just watching while someone else does the work.

One consideration: the experience requires good weather, and classes start at a set meeting point in Sanur, so you’ll want to plan transport time from Kuta.

Key things to know before you book

• Private class for 1–4 people: only your group cooks together.
• Choose 5 dishes from 200+ recipes: Novi’s Bali Kitchen YouTube library is a real menu starting point.
• Allergy-friendly tailoring: she can work around gluten-free/vegetarian needs and shrimp allergies.
• Relaxed teaching with no rush: step-by-step guidance plus plenty of time to sit and enjoy.
• Fresh refreshments during class: you’re not left waiting hungry.
• Flexible location option: class is typically at Novi’s home, but you can enquire about doing it at your villa.

Why this private Bali cooking class feels different in Sanur

This isn’t a cattle-car cooking show. It’s a small, personal class built around what you want to eat. Novi is Balinese, and she runs the sessions in her home, where the focus stays on the food and your questions.

You start with the essentials: a menu conversation, ingredients and equipment explained, and then cooking begins. The pace stays calm. The whole point is that you cook, you taste, and you actually get time to enjoy what you made, not just rush through dishes.

Another big plus for me is the comfort factor. You arrive to freshly made refreshments and you keep getting them throughout the class. That makes a huge difference when you’re working with flavors, spices, and heat—because you stay comfortable while you learn.

Choosing your 5 dishes with Novi’s Bali Kitchen recipe library

The class is centered on 5 dishes: 2 starters, 2 main courses, and a dessert. You don’t have to accept a set menu that fits someone else’s tastes. Instead, you choose the dishes you want to cook.

Novi has over 200 recipes on her YouTube channel, Novi’s Bali Kitchen. For you, that matters because you can browse ideas ahead of time, then talk them through with her. And if you have personal requests, she’s happy to discuss what you’d like.

Practical tip: if you’re planning to cook something specific, start your shortlist early. These classes are often booked months ahead, with an average booking window of 143 days. Early planning helps you land your preferred date and menu style.

A 4-hour flow: from starters to dessert, with real time to eat

The class runs for about 4 hours, starting at 10:00 am. When you arrive, you’ll get a welcome and refreshments. Then Novi walks you through the plan: your menu, the ingredients involved, and the equipment you’ll use.

After that, you cook step by step. The best part of this setup is that you cook at your own rhythm. You’re not forced to keep pace with a group. And because it’s private, you can ask follow-up questions without feeling like you’re holding everyone up.

Here’s how the food flow typically works in a simple way:

• Starters first: you learn the basics of prepping and flavor-building in dishes that come earlier in the meal.
• Then the two mains: you shift from starter techniques to the dishes that feel more substantial.
• Dessert at the end: you finish sweet, and you get the chance to sit and enjoy everything you made.

What I like is the built-in time to relax. On completion, there’s ample time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. That turns the class into lunch you actually look forward to, not a snack you eat while standing.

Novi’s home kitchen: relaxed, professional, and built for learning

Your class happens in Novi’s home. That’s a big part of the vibe. Instead of a classroom with strict time slots, it feels more like being invited into a Balinese cooking space where you can focus.

From the experience details and firsthand accounts, you’ll be cooking in a relaxed setting, described as an outdoor (covered) kitchen in some cases. Translation for you: you get fresh air energy without being stuck exposed to the worst of the weather—though the experience still needs decent conditions.

You also won’t feel like you’re using random tools. Novi chats through the equipment you’ll be using and the ingredients you’ll encounter. That helps you understand why things are done a certain way, so you can repeat the cooking later at home.

Another detail that matters: helpers are involved. They support the process and keep things organized, so you’re not left waiting around while things reset.

Dietary restrictions and allergies: where this class earns its 5-star reputation

If you’ve ever tried to find a cooking class that can handle restrictions, you already know how often it becomes a big negotiation mid-course. This is one of the reasons this experience gets such strong feedback.

Novi’s menu can be tailored for gluten-free and vegetarian preferences. It also can be tailored for allergies, with specific examples like a shrimp allergy request. That’s important, because seafood allergies can be tricky in kitchens where shrimp is common.

How to make this work smoothly:

• Tell Novi your restrictions as soon as you can when booking.
• During the menu chat, be clear about what needs to be avoided.
• Pick dishes you actually want, then let her adjust the approach so the meal still feels complete.

Even if you’re not dealing with a major allergy, this careful menu attention is still a win. It keeps the experience stress-free. You can focus on learning technique and flavor, not on guessing what’s safe.

Getting there from Kuta: meeting point, pickup, and timing

The meeting point is listed in Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan. The address is Gg. Tunjung Sari No.103, Sanur Kauh, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup is offered, which is helpful if you’re staying in or near Kuta. Still, you’ll want to plan your day with buffer time. A private class at a set time doesn’t “float” the way some tours do.

Start time is 10:00 am, so if you’re coming from busy parts of the island, plan around traffic and bathroom breaks. The class length is about 4 hours, so you can still keep a full afternoon free afterward.

Small planning tip: once you book, keep your confirmation handy. You’ll receive confirmation at the time of booking, and you’ll have a mobile ticket for the experience.

Price and value: what $152.12 per person gets you

At $152.12 per person, this class isn’t the cheapest cooking option in Bali. But private lessons rarely are. The real question for you is value per hour and value per person.

Here’s where the price makes sense:

• It’s private for 1 to 4 people, not shared with strangers.
• You cook 5 dishes, including lunch (the meal you make).
• You get dedicated time from Novi and her helpers over roughly 4 hours.
• You receive ongoing refreshments throughout the session.
• You get menu customization, including allergy-aware planning in real cases.

If you’re comparing it to a shared-group class, the difference is instruction quality and time. In a private setting, questions don’t get rushed, and you can slow down when you need to understand a technique.

For solo travelers, the per-person rate can feel like a lot—especially if you’re used to group tour pricing. But if you value privacy and precise dietary handling, the cost can still be worth it. For couples or small families (up to 4), it often looks like strong value.

Who should book this (and who might want a different style of experience)

This is a great fit if you want:

• A hands-on cooking experience where you actually cook.
• A menu that matches your taste, including dietary restrictions.
• A calmer class rhythm with plenty of time to sit and eat.
• A deeper feel for Balinese cooking through technique and discussion with Novi.

It can also suit experienced cooks. One of the most useful things about cooking with a skilled instructor is picking up small techniques you didn’t know before. If you cook often at home, you’ll likely appreciate the way Novi explains ingredients, equipment, and cooking logic.

If you’re looking for a fast, sightseeing-heavy itinerary, this isn’t designed that way. This experience is focused on cooking 5 dishes and enjoying the meal you make. You’ll be spending your time learning and eating, not ticking off lots of extra stops.

Should you book Novi’s Bali Kitchen?

If you want a private Balinese cooking class that takes your menu seriously, book it. The strongest reasons to choose it are the small-group setup, the relaxed yet organized feel, and the fact that Novi can handle real dietary needs like gluten-free, vegetarian preferences, and shrimp allergy requests.

Also, consider booking sooner rather than later. With an average booking lead time around 143 days, good dates can disappear.

If your priority is a set-menu cooking class with no flexibility, you might find a cheaper option elsewhere. But if your goal is learning authentic Balinese cooking in a calm, personal setting—and leaving with skills you can use at home—this is a solid choice.

FAQ

How many people is a private class for?

The class is private, so only your group participates. Novi’s classes are for a single booking for between 1 and 4 people.

How long is the cooking class, and what time does it start?

The experience lasts about 4 hours and starts at 10:00 am. It ends back at the meeting point.

What dishes will I cook during the class?

You’ll prepare 5 dishes you choose: 2 starters, 2 main courses, and a dessert. Lunch is included.

How do I choose the menu?

You choose the dishes you want to cook. Novi can also discuss personal recipe requests, and she has over 200 recipes available on her YouTube channel Novi’s Bali Kitchen.

Can the class handle allergies or dietary restrictions?

Yes. The class can be tailored for dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegetarian preferences, and allergy requests such as shrimp allergy.

Is pickup available, and where does the class take place?

Pickup is offered. The class is held in Novi’s home, but it can also take place at your private villa or venue if you enquire.

What happens if weather conditions are poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.