Ella · Sri Lanka
A hands-on cookery class in the hills of Ella — grind your own spice, cook a full curry spread, and eat it under the trees.
The Class
Discover the authentic flavours of Sri Lanka with a hands-on cooking experience in beautiful Ella. Step into our local kitchen and learn to prepare traditional Sri Lankan dishes using fresh ingredients, aromatic spices, and time-honoured cooking techniques.
You won’t just watch — you’ll chop, grind, mix, cook, and taste your way through a delicious Sri Lankan meal. Along the way, discover the stories, ingredients, and traditions behind our cuisine. Our friendly cooking class is suitable for everyone, from complete beginners to passionate food lovers. Cook like a local, enjoy your homemade meal, and take home unforgettable memories of Sri Lanka.
2h
Class Length
08
Max Group Size
6+
Dishes Cooked
4.9★
From 600+
happy cooks
On the Menu
Seven dishes, one full Sri Lankan spread — from spice paste to the final plate.
Fragrant rice cooked with turmeric, pandan leaves, and warming spices — fluffy, golden, and traditionally served as a festive Sri Lankan staple.
Tender chicken or fresh fish simmered in a rich coconut-spice gravy — aromatic, gently fiery, and deeply rooted in Sri Lankan home cooking.
Creamy red lentils slow-cooked with coconut milk, curry leaves, and spices — comforting, mildly spiced, and a beloved everyday Sri Lankan dish.
Freshly grated coconut mixed with chili, lime, and onion — zesty, fiery, and the essential condiment that brightens every Sri Lankan meal.
Fried eggplant marinated with vinegar, onions, chilies, and spices — sweet, tangy, and intensely flavorful with a glossy caramelized finish.
Fresh green beans sautéed with coconut, onions, and fragrant spices — lightly spiced, vibrant, and a classic Sri Lankan vegetable accompaniment.
Rustic flatbreads made with flour and fresh coconut — hand-shaped, griddle-cooked until lightly crisp, and perfect for scooping up curries.
The Experience
Meet your host over a welcome tea and walk through the day's fresh produce, spice, and coconut.
Roast and grind your own curry powder, and learn how each spice earns its place in the pot.
Work each dish yourself at your own station, over open flame, guided step by step.
Arrange your curries, sambol, and rice the traditional way — on a banana leaf, family style.
Sit down with the group and your host to eat what you made, recipe cards in hand to take home.
Pricing & Inclusions
Market + Cook Combo
$15 / person
Start at the local market, then cook everything you picked.
What's Included
Everything you need to learn authentic Sri Lankan cooking, from selecting fresh ingredients at the market to enjoying a complete sit-down meal. Our comprehensive package ensures you leave as a confident home cook with all the tools and knowledge to recreate these dishes.
About Us & The Chef
Chef Sarath brings years of experience and a deep passion for traditional Sri Lankan cooking. Inspired by the recipes and techniques passed down through his family, he loves sharing the authentic flavours of Sri Lanka with visitors from around the world.
Together with local home cooks, Sarath creates a warm and friendly cooking experience where guests can learn the stories behind each dish, discover traditional ingredients and techniques, and enjoy cooking like a local.
Our goal is simple: share good food, local traditions, and unforgettable Sri Lankan memories.
"Cook it like it's for your own family."
Gallery
Guest Reviews
"Best evening of our whole trip. Sarath let us grind our own curry powder from scratch and it changed how I think about curry forever."
Sophie Laurent
Paris, France
"Small group, hands-on the whole way, and the food at the end was genuinely the best meal we had in Sri Lanka. Worth every rupee."
Marcus Chen
Singapore
"We did the market and cook combo — walking the stalls first made cooking the dishes afterward so much more meaningful."
Priyanka Rao
Mumbai, India
"We booked private since we're vegetarian and they rebuilt the whole menu around it without missing a beat. Recipe cards were a lovely touch."
Tom & Ella Whitfield
Manchester, UK
Get in Touch
Classes fill quickly in peak season — send a note and we'll confirm your time slot within a day.
Address
Lakshmis Hotel, Wemullahena Road, Ella, Sri Lanka.
Phone / WhatsApp
+94 71 267 3366
themountainpotella@gmail.com
Class Time
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Daily
