With us, you won’t just visit the place we love — you’ll step directly into it. Into our traditions, our riverside garden, our kitchens, and our Balinese way of life — taking your place around our welcoming table.
Tresna means “love” in Balinese, and it is what we poured into building our purpose-built cooking school from the ground up. We are not an afterthought at a hotel, nor a temporary setup in someone’s compound. This is a dedicated space created intentionally for sharing our culture.
Hosted by Balinese temple priest Adi and priestess Frances Ardika, our classes go beyond recipes. You will pick organic ingredients from our riverside garden, prepare traditional spice pastes by hand, and cook dishes rooted in daily ritual, ceremony, and family life.
Here, your hands do the work. You cook. You taste. You learn. And you leave with more than a full stomach — you leave with a deeper understanding of Balinese culture.
The Best Balinese Cooking Class Ever
By Girl and The Word, Anh Luu
We were blown away when Anh Luu from the famous blog, Girl and The Word,
stepped through the doors of our wooden gate. We’re so grateful for this
outpouring of love and support.
Click here for her amazing photos and story.
An Authentic Balinese Feast at Tresna Bali Cooking School
By Passport To Wellness, Brittney Ayers
Brittney came expecting a “normal” cooking class — and left feeling like
Tresna Bali is an amazing value.
Read Brittney's blog here.
A Unique Cooking School Experience at Tresna Bali
By We Are Travel Girls, Becky van Dijk
Becky chose our cooking class as a highlight for her Luxury Bali Retreats.
Read about their experience here.
ErinLouise9394 (Darwin, Australia)
So glad we decided to book a class with Adi and Frances. We had a wonderful morning walking through their expansive garden picking and smelling ingredients and learning about the different uses and stories associated with each one. You can tell how much love goes into Adi and Frances’ cooking by how passionate they are about growing their own foods.
Adi was fantastic stepping us through the process of each dish, explaining ingredients and alternatives we could use back home if we can’t find the exact same. We are looking forward to replicating some of these recipes soon.
Very good balance between involvement in cooking and assistance from staff, perfect for any level of cooking skill, Adi was good at accommodating for skill level of each group member and teaching where he could. Traditional food and cooking methods made even more enjoyable by stories of the importance of food in Balinese culture.
Alexander R (Sydney, Australia)
Adi and Frances are not just great chefs, they are good people. It is a real blessing when someone lets you into their kitchen with open arms and teach you culture, topped off with good quality cooking.
I highly recommend this class for enthusiasts or even seasoned chefs. So much knowledge to tap into in a short course that I’ll be going back for round 2!!
AshleyW3485 (Bristol, United Kingdom)
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent with Adi, Frances and the team at Tresna Cooking School. Smiles, laughs and the best food of the holiday all wrapped into one!
Firstly we were met by Adi as he picked us up to take us to the school, which is beautifully located with well stocked gardens. On arrival, we met Frances and the team who were all so friendly and smiling. A chance then to roam the well stocked herb and spice garden to pick some fresh produce to cook with. Adi & Frances really know what they are going!
We were then took through a number of recipes with Adi to create a banquet for lunch! And when they say feast I mean it’s a feast!
I would advise anyone looking to learn Balinese cuisine to book with these guys, they are superb!!
May have to come back when next in Bali!! Until next time.
cxxxy (Toronto, Canada)
WOW! I can’t imagine something like this exists in Bali!
Once we arrived at Tresna, we were floored by the amazing design of the kitchen and their beautiful garden. Frances and Adi started off the day by showing us around their garden where we picked some herbs and vegetable.
We were lucky enough to be in a small group of 4 guests so we were able to chat away and try out so many different cooking and mixing techniques. I’ve been to Bali many times and I’ve never had food as fresh as what they offered. We had a feast!
My best friend also had an amazing experience learning about Balinese cuisine from Adi and Frances who was very passionate about design and cooking. Would love to do this again when I’m back in town!
Danielle J (Los Angeles, USA)
I couldn’t be happier that my boyfriend and I decided to come to Tresna for our cooking class in Bali. This was one of the biggest highlights of our trip. Frances and Adi couldn’t have been more enjoyable and knowledgeable. They have a great team, a stunning kitchen and delicious recipes. My only regret is that we didn’t stay at their guesthouse during our stay in Ubud, it looked like an absolute dream.
GaryOhhhh (Toronto, Canada)
While staying at the cooking school’s beautiful Little Wooden Cottage, we partook in a cooking school class of traditional Balinese cuisine.
To start, Adi and Frances walked us through their charming garden (trees and plants are named with friends and family) to pick the fresh ingredients, while always explaining the spices and the roles they serve in our upcoming dishes.
Together, they took us through the preparations of each dish with expertise and gusto! From the techniques of chopping and cooking, to the insight of the ingredients, the course had it all. Afterwards you sit down and enjoy the extraordinary dishes!
Whether you’re a chef or a novice cook, you’re sure to learn something here about Balinese culture and cooking, and more importantly - have a lot of fun while at it.
Thanks to Adi and Frances for the amazing culinarily experience!
Meghan B (Sydney, Australia)
Wow – what a cooking school!
Frances and Adi have created a GEM of a cooking school in Ubud. From their amazing garden and surrounds where you pick fresh vegetables and herbs, the well-organised and clean kitchen, the small class size of no more than 10 people – you really do have a great experience at Tresna cooking School.
My husband and I learnt so much during the class, for the rest of our Bali trip we knew exactly what the traditional foods, flavours and quality were – particularly the banana green crepes – the best we had was at Tresna!
There is a real sense of pride and passion for traditional Indonesian cooking. Most of all, Frances and Adi love what they do – and you can see this at Tresna Bali Cooking School. A must do while in Ubud/Bali
mish2506 (Perth, Australia)
My husband and I loved the Tresna Bali Cooking School. We were staying in Ubud so received the free transfers - Frances picked us up on time. The classes are kept small with a maximum of 10 which means you can always see what is going on.
The class started with a refreshing welcome drink and garden tour to see and pick some of the ingredients we would be using. We were able to be involved in the process which was great - rather than just watching someone else cook the whole time. There was also a bit of tasting as we went along and then we all sat down to enjoy the dishes cooked - there was plenty of food and it was all delicious!
Adi and Frances were very generous in answering questions and talking about Balinese life and culture. All the recipes were emailed to us after the class. It would be suitable for couples, families with teens, friends or solos. I would definitely do it again.
Ryan C (Philadelphia, USA)
A gift from my wife on our honeymoon, this turned into the most memorable experience of our entire Bali adventure! We found no better food on the entire island. Using garden fresh ingredients hand picked from their garden, the food wasn’t even the best part. Adi and Frances were incredible hosts, the most caring and generous people we met while in Indonesia. Truly wonderful and a must do on the island.
DayTrip61247 (Atlanta, USA)
My new husband and I had the BEST time at Tresna Bali Cooking School during our honeymoon. From the very beginning, Frances was super responsive and helpful and booking our class via e-mail exchange was a breeze. The morning of, we met Adi right where he told us he would be (and on time!) and off we went to their compound. This was a truly comprehensive experience, one in which we were able to navigate their on-property gardens as Adi and Frances explained in detail what each plant (herbs, vegetables) was, what it’s typically used for, and how we would be utilizing it in class. The cooking experience itself was very hands-on, and we were able to fully participate, taste and cook each dish in some capacity. It was truly amazing and whenever anyone asks us how our honeymoon was, this is the first activity that we love to share! Thanks Adi & Frances for an AMAZING time!
No. Our class is designed for all levels. It’s hands-on, step-by-step, and you’ll be guided through everything.
We start at 8:30 am sharp and finish with a lunch feast around 1:30 - 1:45 pm. Plan for approximately 5 hours, including picking ingredients, cooking, and enjoying the feast together.
Our classes are intimate with a maximum 8 participants per class, and only 3 classes per week.
Yes. We offer a Pure-Plant Vegan Balinese menu. Please select the vegan option when booking.
You’ll pick organic ingredients from our riverside garden, learn traditional Balinese techniques, cook a ceremonial feast of authentic dishes, and enjoy the meal together at the end.
We’re located just 3.5 km south east of Ubud, Bali. After booking, you’ll receive full directions and details.
Yes — we strongly recommend booking ahead because classes are small and often fill up.
Please message us before booking if you have allergies or dietary needs. We’ll do our best to accommodate.
ErinLouise9394 (Darwin, Australia)
So glad we decided to book a class with Adi and Frances. We had a wonderful morning walking through their expansive garden picking and smelling ingredients and learning about the different uses and stories associated with each one. You can tell how much love goes into Adi and Frances’ cooking by how passionate they are about growing their own foods.
Adi was fantastic stepping us through the process of each dish, explaining ingredients and alternatives we could use back home if we can’t find the exact same. We are looking forward to replicating some of these recipes soon.
Very good balance between involvement in cooking and assistance from staff, perfect for any level of cooking skill, Adi was good at accommodating for skill level of each group member and teaching where he could. Traditional food and cooking methods made even more enjoyable by stories of the importance of food in Balinese culture.
Alexander R (Sydney, Australia)
Adi and Frances are not just great chefs, they are good people. It is a real blessing when someone lets you into their kitchen with open arms and teach you culture, topped off with good quality cooking.
I highly recommend this class for enthusiasts or even seasoned chefs. So much knowledge to tap into in a short course that I’ll be going back for round 2!!
AshleyW3485 (Bristol, United Kingdom)
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the day spent with Adi, Frances and the team at Tresna Cooking School. Smiles, laughs and the best food of the holiday all wrapped into one!
Firstly we were met by Adi as he picked us up to take us to the school, which is beautifully located with well stocked gardens. On arrival, we met Frances and the team who were all so friendly and smiling. A chance then to roam the well stocked herb and spice garden to pick some fresh produce to cook with. Adi & Frances really know what they are going!
We were then took through a number of recipes with Adi to create a banquet for lunch! And when they say feast I mean it’s a feast!
I would advise anyone looking to learn Balinese cuisine to book with these guys, they are superb!!
May have to come back when next in Bali!! Until next time.
cxxxy (Toronto, Canada)
WOW! I can’t imagine something like this exists in Bali!
Once we arrived at Tresna, we were floored by the amazing design of the kitchen and their beautiful garden. Frances and Adi started off the day by showing us around their garden where we picked some herbs and vegetable.
We were lucky enough to be in a small group of 4 guests so we were able to chat away and try out so many different cooking and mixing techniques. I’ve been to Bali many times and I’ve never had food as fresh as what they offered. We had a feast!
My best friend also had an amazing experience learning about Balinese cuisine from Adi and Frances who was very passionate about design and cooking. Would love to do this again when I’m back in town!
Danielle J (Los Angeles, USA)
I couldn’t be happier that my boyfriend and I decided to come to Tresna for our cooking class in Bali. This was one of the biggest highlights of our trip. Frances and Adi couldn’t have been more enjoyable and knowledgeable. They have a great team, a stunning kitchen and delicious recipes. My only regret is that we didn’t stay at their guesthouse during our stay in Ubud, it looked like an absolute dream.
GaryOhhhh (Toronto, Canada)
While staying at the cooking school’s beautiful Little Wooden Cottage, we partook in a cooking school class of traditional Balinese cuisine.
To start, Adi and Frances walked us through their charming garden (trees and plants are named with friends and family) to pick the fresh ingredients, while always explaining the spices and the roles they serve in our upcoming dishes.
Together, they took us through the preparations of each dish with expertise and gusto! From the techniques of chopping and cooking, to the insight of the ingredients, the course had it all. Afterwards you sit down and enjoy the extraordinary dishes!
Whether you’re a chef or a novice cook, you’re sure to learn something here about Balinese culture and cooking, and more importantly - have a lot of fun while at it.
Thanks to Adi and Frances for the amazing culinarily experience!
Meghan B (Sydney, Australia)
Wow – what a cooking school!
Frances and Adi have created a GEM of a cooking school in Ubud. From their amazing garden and surrounds where you pick fresh vegetables and herbs, the well-organised and clean kitchen, the small class size of no more than 10 people – you really do have a great experience at Tresna cooking School.
My husband and I learnt so much during the class, for the rest of our Bali trip we knew exactly what the traditional foods, flavours and quality were – particularly the banana green crepes – the best we had was at Tresna!
There is a real sense of pride and passion for traditional Indonesian cooking. Most of all, Frances and Adi love what they do – and you can see this at Tresna Bali Cooking School. A must do while in Ubud/Bali
mish2506 (Perth, Australia)
My husband and I loved the Tresna Bali Cooking School. We were staying in Ubud so received the free transfers - Frances picked us up on time. The classes are kept small with a maximum of 10 which means you can always see what is going on.
The class started with a refreshing welcome drink and garden tour to see and pick some of the ingredients we would be using. We were able to be involved in the process which was great - rather than just watching someone else cook the whole time. There was also a bit of tasting as we went along and then we all sat down to enjoy the dishes cooked - there was plenty of food and it was all delicious!
Adi and Frances were very generous in answering questions and talking about Balinese life and culture. All the recipes were emailed to us after the class. It would be suitable for couples, families with teens, friends or solos. I would definitely do it again.
Ryan C (Philadelphia, USA)
A gift from my wife on our honeymoon, this turned into the most memorable experience of our entire Bali adventure! We found no better food on the entire island. Using garden fresh ingredients hand picked from their garden, the food wasn’t even the best part. Adi and Frances were incredible hosts, the most caring and generous people we met while in Indonesia. Truly wonderful and a must do on the island.
DayTrip61247 (Atlanta, USA)
My new husband and I had the BEST time at Tresna Bali Cooking School during our honeymoon. From the very beginning, Frances was super responsive and helpful and booking our class via e-mail exchange was a breeze. The morning of, we met Adi right where he told us he would be (and on time!) and off we went to their compound. This was a truly comprehensive experience, one in which we were able to navigate their on-property gardens as Adi and Frances explained in detail what each plant (herbs, vegetables) was, what it’s typically used for, and how we would be utilizing it in class. The cooking experience itself was very hands-on, and we were able to fully participate, taste and cook each dish in some capacity. It was truly amazing and whenever anyone asks us how our honeymoon was, this is the first activity that we love to share! Thanks Adi & Frances for an AMAZING time!