Cooking classes are addictive. There’s something about watching ingredients transform into a perfect dish right before your eyes, your instructor all the while assuring you that you can replicate it at home, that is far too alluring. It’s like watching your favourite cooking show except you get to smell, taste and truly enjoy the experience of cooking (and not be fooled by any TV trickery). This experience is at the heart of Ginger & Lime, the baby of Denise Cowburn-Levy. Held in her home in Fresnaye, Cape Town, these cooking experiences have been running for four successful years.

Denise with Liam Tomlin. Photo supplied.

Ginger & Lime began when Denise took a class with Liam Tomlin of Chefs Warehouse, so it’s fitting they now also do classes hosting big name chefs like Liam Tomlin himself as well as Ivor Jones, Neill Anthony, Matt Manning and Siba. What do you get to do during these experiences? “You will learn to get stuck in and prepare great food,” says Denise. “You will get your hands dirty and cook, and then taste some amazing dishes, and you will interact and connect with great new people from every walk of life and all backgrounds.” Don’t worry if you’re not the cooking type, though. You can also just sit back and relax with a glass of wine as the food gets prepared for you. Ginger & Lime is about connection – with the cook, friends, strangers and of course, the food.

You’re sure to have a ball. Photo supplied.

Their interactive cooking experiences range from Asian-inspired dishes through to Mediterranean classics and local cuisine. Their winter curry evenings, when they prepare curries from all over the world, are particularly popular. Tourists can learn the art of the braai and to make authentic Cape Malay dishes.

The Ginger & Lime kitchen. Photo supplied.

Over and above just taking the class by yourself, the Ginger & Lime experience can be gifted to a loved one you’d like to spend more time with, or you can arrange for it to host your next event. They do interactive classes for up to 24 people, do event management, provide a private venue for special occasions, do bespoke catering, consult for recipe development and menu creation, and it’s also the perfect spot for your MasterChef parties (junior or otherwise)!

Book now. Photo supplied.

Also on offer is an even more relaxed variation of Ginger and Lime, with a one- or two-day getaway to an Yzerfontein beach house included. Expect activities like meditation, silent beach walks, workshops and of course, interactive cooking experiences. (The venue can also host retreats, workshops, corporate team-building and yoga, with food becoming a part of the experience.)

Ginger & Lime also does beach getaways. Photo supplied.

View more about the getaways on their website and book your Ginger & Lime experience by emailing info@gingerandlime.co.za.