Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards have just introduced their latest programme of cooking classes. A wonderful idea for home cooks and foodies, these classes aspire to fine-tune culinary skills, introduce new techniques and ingredients and to stimulate culinary creativity.

Passionate about food with flavour, with this new line-up, Chef Pieter de Jager will be taking participants on a journey introducing the true tastes and culinary intricacies of Thailand, the homely comfort food of South America, the appetising tapas of the Mediterranean as well as the exciting diversity of South African cuisine. Not only does he explain the ingredients and demonstrate the techniques, but in these hands-on cooking classes, participants are encouraged to try their own hand at preparing the recipes before sitting down to a lunch or dinner paired with Leopard’s Leap’s food-wise Culinaria Collection of wines.

Classes are repeated to offer a morning class with lunch or evening class with dinner (please see programme below). Classes take approximately three hours and are presented from the state of the art and exceptionally equipped kitchen. Classes can accommodate twenty-two enthusiasts at individual cooking stations with their own stove and utensils. The chef’s every move can be followed on big-screen television sets while printed recipes serve as guidance on the day and when practising the newly acquired skills at home.

After a busy cooking session, students are invited to relax and indulge in their own cooking crafts – all beautifully paired with Leopard’s Leap wines as selected and recommended by Leopard’s Leap Cellar Master, Eugene van Zyl.

Reservations are essential and should be made at least a week in advance at +27 (0)21 876 8002 or cooking@leopardsleap.co.za

Classes cost: R650 per person

Morning classes start at 10:00

Evening classes start at 18:00

Cooking Classes Programme

5 & 6 November: Thai Kitchen

We welcome summer with the fragrant, fresh flavours of authentic Thai cuisine. Join us in the Leopard’s Leap kitchen and learn to cook with coconut milk, bamboo shoots, curry leaves, palm sugar, lime, fish sauce and galangal. Perfect your own fragrant curry paste and be guided by Chef Pieter in cooking a variety of quick Thai dishes – versatile and full of flavour.

17 & 18 December: South African Holiday inspiration

Summer holidays in South Africa see a celebration of our country’s colourful food culture and tradition of hospitality. Ensure your summer festivities are unforgettable with Chef Pieter’s interpretation of South African township traditions, classic desserts and regional favourites from the Karoo, West Coast and Durban.

January: The Joy of Small Plates (January dates to be confirmed shortly)

Due to popular demand, Chef Pieter presents another edition of his Spanish Tapas class. Learn to cook a wide variety of Spanish favourites and find out how to maximise the flavour on each small plate. Try your hand at the delight of baby squid, juicy lamb cutlets, delightful pork belly and the versatile go-to in any kitchen, the frittata. Be inspired by Mediterranean ingredients such as olives, artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and get carried away by innovative plans with seasonal produce.

4 & 5 February: South American Road Trip

Take a trip to the culinary haven that is South America and learn to cook the classic dishes of Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela. Exotic sounding names and real flavours are what it is all about. Prepare ceviche or moqueca with fresh seafood or celebrate the exceptional quality of beef found in this part of the world with anticuchos and empanadas.