The Farming Chefs - Regenerative Farm and Educational Center Reviews

Boguslawa Kaczmarek 2026.10.21

     

Five amazing days in beautiful Portugal countryside with Sophie, Filipe and a family and Friends. The accommodation was superb, gorgeous area and a very comfortable beautiful design rooms. In retreat, I met people from all over the world and learn cuisine, I never heard about, delicious, fascinated, absolutely fantastic, supplied from Sophie’s garden herbs, veggies, fresh eggs, cheese & meat from local small producer and of course, the most delicious wine from Filipe winery😊

Useful Report

Sharon Turner 2026.10.21

     

We loved our time with Sophie and Filipe, who shared their kitchen, their knowledge and their table like we were old friends! The region is gorgeous and we felt the time went too quickly (so much so that we are determined to return!) We enjoyed beautiful, delicious and nutritious food, lovingly prepared and served in idyllic surroundings. Our Farming Chef hosts shared their skills and techniques, and taught us to trust our taste buds and have fun in the kitchen! Love of food, love for the land, and loads of laughter - highly recommend ❤️

Useful Report

Nadejda kuntova 2026.10.21

     

What an amazing experience! Everything was so well organized, from the first day to the last. I learned so much, not only about cooking, but also about gardening, growing food and how to organize a beautiful farm. Sophie is such a wonderful teacher! She shared so much knowledge with us, from cooking techniques to all the little secrets of farm life. I came home with a notebook full of ideas, a head full of inspiration and probably a few extra kilos from all the delicious food! 😂 But the best part was the people. I met such beautiful souls, and I know they will stay in my heart and memories forever. It was so much more than just a cooking retreat. It was a week full of learning, laughter, amazing food and unforgettable moments. Thank you, Sophie and The Farming Chefs, for this beautiful adventure! I already can’t wait for the next one you organize. Count me in! ❤️

Useful Report

Deisy Aguilar 2026.10.13

     

This farm to table retreat is a must experience! Sophie and Felipe are wonderful chefs that share their sincerity, knowledge and farm creating a community that we so long for. Learned several farming techniques i plan to use in my community garden. Also, some new cooking methods. Plus i made connections i hope to keep.

Useful Report

Brian Katchnoski 2026.10.12

     

The Farming Chefs retreat is a must do for anyone who loves food and is interested in learning more about organic farming techniques, whether for personal consumption or as a small community market farm. You will learn some great techniques on how to prepare meals for large groups taught by high level chefs. Sophie and Filipe know how to run a kitchen and were able to coordinate, coach and lead a group of us to prepare some incredible meals, using everything they grow on their farm. Their patience, care and knowledge of combining fresh ingredients has left me with an incredibly awesome memory, along with some great tips on how to prepare great food. They are amazing hosts with a deep passion for their guests and community. For a brief time, we were a part of a family who intend on making a difference by sharing their knowledge of organic farming. I look forward to seeing what The Farming Chefs can do, as they have great plans for expanding the farm to table experience. Get in while you can to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience with them. By far, this was one of the most amazing moments I have ever had on vacation.

Useful Report

Cobina M 2026.10.12

     

This retreat is so much fun! Sophie and Filipe are wonderful! They explain exceptionally well, and are happy to share their recipes and cooking methods. I would love to follow them around and take notes on everything, and you instantly feel like part of the family. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone who is looking for a fun and educational group activity to add to your vacation or even to build a vacation around it. There was much fun and laughter, and a fabulous group to hang out with, and the food was so incredibly tasty and amazing. If you are a foodie, then you won't want to miss this retreat! I cannot say enough good things about this place and the retreat, and I would come back again and again. Sophie and Filipe, much Love and Blessings to you both and your family, and all your little wonderful helpers xoxo

Useful (1) Report

Alexandra Wong 2026.09.29

     

Spent an incredible week with the Farming Chefs at one of their farm to table cooking retreats. It might have changed my life a little bit :) We covered slew of cooking skills, from making bread to cheeses, pâtés, and pastries from absolute scratch. We did day trips into small towns and bakeries, and harvested from micro farms. Our group was a mix of new chefs, intermediate, and even folks who own farmsteads around the world! I was the beginning chef in the group and just loved every minute. In particular, Sophie is a warm, relaxed host who also has a wicked sense of humor. The care that she and the team put into every minute was outstanding. I went on this retreat to learn about farming, food, and flavor, and to hopefully slow down a little bit, and instead left with nothing short of lifelong friends. Sophie has inspired me to live in appreciation a little bit more every day. I plan to visit their farm in Portugal next!

Useful Report

susana rito 2026.08.15

     

Experiência fantástica, certamente para repetir. Local lindo e inspirador, comida excelente. Um dia super mega descontraído, bem haja

Useful Report

Helena Landeiro 2026.08.15

     

Sofia e Filipe bem haja por me teres proporcionado um excelente dia .Foi fantástico estava tudo muito bem organizado. Adorei a vossa comidinha deliciosa. A pintura em aguarelas .Não imaginava que pintava tão bem😂😂.A professora foi maravilhosa..Foi um dia só nosso .Continuem com esse projeto é muito gratificante. Nós mulheres agradecemos por termos um dia só nosso .Bem Haja❤️‍🩹😘😘

Useful Report

Susana Monteiro 2026.08.15

     

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Um dia mesmo muito especial, na natureza, organizado pela Sofia e pelo Filipe, dos The Farming Chefs. Começámos com um pequeno-almoço delicioso, cheio de produtos da região e coisas caseiras: ovos, pães artesanais, fruta, doces e bolos, sumos naturais, café e uma seleção incrível de chás. Depois tivemos a nossa primeira aula de aguarela com a professora Ana, no meio daquela tranquilidade do campo. Aprendemos a fazer o sketch, a escolher as cores e a construir a pintura aos poucos. Acho que todas ficámos genuinamente surpreendidas com o que conseguimos fazer. Com a orientação certa, acabámos por descobrir capacidades que nem sabíamos que tínhamos. Ainda houve tempo para um mergulho na piscina e para simplesmente estar ali, a ouvir os passarinhos e a aproveitar o silêncio e a natureza. Ao almoço fomos até à quinta da Sofia e do Filipe e, sinceramente, a comida estava maravilhosa. Saladas frescas e cheias de sabor, uma kombucha deliciosa, gaspacho de melancia e feta e carne maturada preparada em sous-vide, acompanhada por vários pratos e saladas. Para terminar, uma delícia sobremesa com amoras. Estava tudo mesmo muito, muito bom. À tarde voltámos às aguarelas, desta vez inspiradas nos produtos da própria quinta. Experimentámos outras técnicas, brincámos com as cores e aprendemos a chegar às tonalidades que queríamos. No final do dia tivemos um jantar leve e delicioso. Mas acho que o que mais gostei neste retiro foi tudo o que aconteceu para além da comida e da aguarela. Foi perceber que, às vezes, só precisamos da orientação certa para conseguirmos fazer coisas que achávamos que não éramos capazes. E foi também o grupo. Pessoas muito simpáticas, num ambiente tão tranquilo e acolhedor que foi fácil desligar do ritmo normal, baixar um bocadinho as barreiras e simplesmente aproveitar o momento, a natureza e a companhia. Sentiu-se o cuidado da Sofia e do Filipe em todos os detalhes, sem nunca parecer forçado. Foi daqueles dias que sabem mesmo bem. Cinco estrelas para os The Farming Chefs. Repetiria sem pensar duas vezes!

Useful Report

Dolores Auger 2026.05.14

     

I am bias, but this is my perfect type of vacation. Sophie and Felipe were the perfect hosts. We were made to feel so welcome and excepted like a part of the family. We spent the week harvesting,planting, and cooking fantastic food and them eating wonderful food.

Useful Report

Reply from The Farming Chefs - Regenerative Farm and Educational Center 2026.04.16

Thank you so much for this wonderful review Lola! Such a pleasure to host you and Roxanne this past week. Have a safe journey back to the States :) Hopefully we will be visiting you there at some point.

Uri Bahar 2026.05.10

     

Had an amazing time in the veg growing workshop. In depth sessions with hands on experience in beautiful settings. Sophie and Filipe are wonderful hosts, that also cook very tasty food.

Useful (1) Report

Cristina Mateo 2026.05.03

     

amazing place

Useful Report

Karen Mendez 2026.04.30

     

My husband and I run a farmstead and come from a background of farming and cooking.Nevertheless, we had the most wonderful time at the retreat with Felipe and Sophia and their family. They welcomed us into their home and taught us so much, and it was a joy. If learning and sharing experiences is your bag, you can't beat spending time with these two. P.S. we had such a great time we already signed up for another of their retreats!!

Useful Report

Roxanne Roth 2026.04.20

     

Thank you Sophie and Filipe for one of the best vacation experiences of my life! I was part of the April 2026 cooking/farm retreat and loved every minute of it. Sophie and Filipe were very welcoming, opened their home to us and shared their vast knowledge; not to mention the delicious meals they prepared for us. Super Yummy! I learned so much and had an active part in all cooking, planting & harvesting. Our retreat group was diverse, friendly, sharing and fun. Their farming operation was well explained, opened to roaming, in a beautiful setting, and interesting. The whole experience left me motivated towards better eating, to expand my herb garden and to start a small veggie garden again. I felt refreshed and renewed with a huge smile on my face. The accommodations at the villa were relaxing, warmly welcoming, served delicious breakfast, beautiful river/woods setting with modern conveniences. I loved everything about the retreat. I would recommend it to anyone interested in food or farming, regardless experience or where you live as you are going to learn a lot! Thank you Sophie, Filipe and family for your hospitality, for an unforgettable experience and for your YouTube channel which introduced me to you all.

Useful Report

pauline gerdingh 2026.04.19

     

We went to the Farming-to-table retreat and we had a great time! learned all about farming (from seed till harvest) and cooking technics with delicious healthy recipes. We enjoyed as well the interesting company of the international group and being a much welcomed part of the family of Sophie and Filipe. The combination of a highly professional team on cooking & regenerative farming and joining their down-to-earth life makes this retreat unforgettable! Thank you so much Sophie and Filipe!!

Useful Report

Caleb Bitting 2025.10.30

     

I spent five unforgettable days with Sophie and Filipe, and it was pure joy from start to finish. Sophie and Filipe create such a welcoming, inspiring space where learning felt effortless and fun. One of my favorite moments was when we were all cooking together in their kitchen—the air buzzing with conversation, laughter, and the sounds of things bubbling on the stove. It perfectly captured the spirit of the retreat: connection, creativity, and a deep love of real food. Sophie’s teaching was another highlight. She has a remarkable gift in explaining not just how to do things, but why they matter. We learned how the life in the soil connects to the vitality of our food, and how small, thoughtful practices can help heal the land. It completely changed the way I see farming, food, and my own role in that cycle. The workshops, the meals, and the setting were thoughtful, delicious, and full of heart. I left feeling recharged and inspired, with a whole new appreciation for the beauty of regenerative farming.

Useful Report

Lilly 2025.10.28

     

I came for a retreat last week and it was such an incredible experience. Sophie and Filipe made us all feel so welcome and are both a wealth of knowledge. We experienced the farm after the fires and still learnt so much, can’t recommend their retreat enough!!

Useful Report

Frits Verheijden 2025.10.03

     

Review. Van 23 tot en met 27 september heb ik een cursus ‘regeneratieve bewaartechnieken en smaakversterkers’ gevolgd bij de farming chefs in Portugal. Het was een grondige en inspirerende cursus. Elke dag werd er één bewaartechniek besproken en toegepast, dwz ter plaatse gedaan: Brood bakken; het bewaren van graan Kaasmaken ; het bewaren van melk Het conserveren van groente en fruit Laatste dag: het verantwoord maken van smaakversterkers. Iedere cursusdag doorliepen we het hele proces van begin tot het eind. De docente (Sophie de Jong) is een vakvrouw, die weet waar ze het over heeft. Niet alleen is ze zelf een goede kok, ze verstaat ook de kunst van het overbrengen van de lesstof. Elke avond genoten we van een heerlijke maaltijd, bereid en opgediend door Filipe, de partner van Sophie en de andere helft van the farming chefs. De cursus beperkte zich niet tot het geven van een aantal recepten, maar ging diep in op de achtergrond en de principes van ‘regenerative farming and cooking'. Sophie liet mij begrijpen wat het dilemma is van de hedendaagse voedselindustrie (productie en de voedselketen). De westerse wereld slaagt er momenteel in om voor iedereen voldoende voedsel te produceren. Om het ook voldoende houdbaar in de supermarkten te brengen ziet de industrie zich gedwongen om het zodanig te bewerken dat alle ‘vitale, herstellende factoren’ eruit worden gehaald. Op die manier houden we wel veel, maar eigenlijk dood voedsel over. De farming chefs verbeelden zich niet dat zij morgen het hele systeem kunnen omgooien, maar ze geven wel goed aan waar ieder individu een kleine verandering kan aanbrengen. Op die manier kan iedereen - althans voor zichzelf - gezond voedsel produceren en bewaren en een begin maken met een nieuwe manier van het beleven van voedsel.

Useful Report

Emma Westerling 2025.10.02

     

My husband and I just experienced a 5 day Retreat at The Farming Chefs. It was beyond our expectations! Not only did we get a lot of fun hands-on workshops about sourdough-bread making, fermenting vegetables and dairy etc., we got a lot of information about food and its ingredients and how to optimize your health with food. What struck me most, was Sophie's indepth knowledge and ease in teaching. She is a great teacher!

Useful Report

Reply from The Farming Chefs - Regenerative Farm and Educational Center 2025.10.02

Thank you so much for this kind review! It was a jou to host you both.