Penhill Farm: Saturday Afternoon Pasta-Making Classes

As if you needed a reason to head to the Robertson Valley for the weekend, Penhill Farm has come up with yet another motivation to head through the Huguenot tunnel for a country escape.

The historic farm in the Nuy Valley, with its timeless old-world kind of country comfort and 700 hectares of fynbos-clad hills, is already a destination for blissful family adventures. Guests can swim and canoe in the farm dams, follow mountain trails, play tennis, boules or croquet and enjoy wine-paired feasts among the vines. Now chef Kaylin Govender is inviting guests to join him in the kitchen for an afternoon to learn the art of pasta-making.

A relaxed kitchen gathering

Not so much a formal lesson, as a friendly sharing of skills in a relaxed atmosphere, the hands-on Saturday afternoon class gives you all the skills you need to make your own fresh pasta at home. Starting off with a welcome drink and introduction, chef Kaylin then demonstrates the making of the dough, after which you get stuck in, mixing, kneading and then resting the dough. Next comes the rolling of the dough into pasta sheets and cutting into tagliatelle or pappardelle and folding it into filled parcels. He shares simple generous sauce recipes using whatever is freshest and in season. At the end of the afternoon you all gather around a long table and share the delicious pastas you’ve created, perhaps with a glass of wine from one of the Robertson Valley estates.

Good to know You don’t need any level of kitchen expertise to enjoy the class. Everything is explained step by step and the Penhill kitchen team is on hand to help. Numbers are limited so early booking is advised.
Cost R550 (welcome drink, class and shared meal). Drinks can be purchased separately.
When Monthly on selected Saturdays.
Next dates: 21 March, 18 April, 16 May, 18 July, 15 August 2026
Time 2pm – 5pm

Make a weekend of it

It’s totally do-able as a day trip from Cape Town (less than a two-hour drive), but once you’ve arrived at Penhill Farm you’ll want to stay longer. Heritage is woven into the walls, gables and thatched roof of the restored Cape Dutch manor house, which together with the four self-catering farm cottages offers a timeless country stay. Spend the morning exploring nearby wine farms, then after your afternoon in the kitchen wander the gardens and sweeping lawns, swim in the farm dam or play tennis or croquet, before settling into the country comfort of your manor house room or cottage. Wake up to birdsong and big skies and one of Penhill’s fabulous farm breakfasts, with plenty of time to soak up the glorious unspoilt surroundings. 

A pasta-perfect country escape. 

Where to find it Agtervink Road, Nuy Valley, 31km from Robertson
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