Risotto 101: a celebration of our farm-grown rice

10 April 2025

Learn your way around a real risotto like a true Italian nonna.

R 1500 per person.

Only 15 places available

Always dreamed of making risotto like a true Italian nonna? Join head chef Schalk Vlok for a practical workshop on making the best risotto – from the farm to your table. Farmer Ian de Villiers takes us on a stroll to Babylonstoren’s rice paddy where we grow our own carnaroli rice, traditionally used for making risotto. The intricacies of rice cultivation will be discussed, including the plant’s interesting life cycle, flooding methods and hand-harvesting.

Back in the kitchen, chef Schalk will demonstrate how to create lip-smacking risotto in the traditional Italian style, from scratch. From this basic recipe, different styles and risotto variations will be made and tasted. The emphasis of the class will be on local and seasonally produced risotto rice and how to elevate this quality in every bite.

Steaming coffee from the Farm Shop is served upon arrival.
Lunch at the Old Bakery is included.