CLASS ACTS
SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS AT THESE REGIONAL COOKING SCHOOLS.
SA Casa Carboni Italian Cooking School and Enoteca Italian chef Matteo Carboni and his wife Fiona opened their Barossa Valley enoteca (above) four years ago. On Saturdays, Matteo hosts a Taste of Italy, teaching the secrets to making fresh pasta and regional recipes — in June the theme is Piemontese Long Lunch. Pasta Masterclasses are offered on some Sundays. Classes $185 (includes lunch). 67 Murray Street, Angaston. 0415 157 669; casacarboni.com.au NSW Buena Vista Farm At Fiona and Adam Walmsley’s Gerringong farm, cooking classes are an all-day affair and include: From Scratch — learn to make butter, sourdough, jam, yoghurt and more; Bikkie Baking; and Simple Cheesemaking. Classes from $195. 0414 703 958; buenavistafarm.com.au Food I Am Tania Sibrey opened her purpose-built Riverina cooking school in 2014 to give country people access to great food experiences. Classes include Thai, Spanish, Indian, French and Middle Eastern cooking, and salami and salumi workshops. Classes from $130. 29 Kunzea Place, Wagga Wagga. 0427 250 498; foodiam.com.au Seasonal Cooking Days at Glenmore House Prepare and cook produce from Mickey Robertson’s vegetable garden, or take a class in preserving or jam making. On Friday October 6th, Country Style’s Barbara Sweeney will teach a class called Spring Quiches, Tarts and Flans. Classes from $240. glenmorehouse.com.au VICTORIA A Tavola! Cooking School At Pizzini Wines in the King Valley, Katrina Pizzini’s hands-on classes include Pasta, Gnocchi and Risotto, Pastries and Puds, and Salting, Smoking and Curing. Classes from $145. 175 King Valley Road, Whitfield. (03) 5729 8278; pizzini.com.au Tamsin’s Table Regular Country Style contributor Tamsin Carvan hosts Kitchen Harvest Cooking Classes at her Gippsland farm. Pick ingredients in the garden, make butter and pasta, and cook up a three-course feast. Other classes include bottling and breadmaking. Classes $275. 2255 Main South Road, Poowong East. tamsinstable.com.au Lake House Daylesford At Alla Wolf-tasker’s restaurant, classes are taught by top chefs such as Martin Benn. This month there’s a masterclass with Valli Little. Classes from $145. King Street, Daylesford. (03) 5348 3329; lakehouse.com.au WA Foragers Field Kitchen and Cooking School In addition to seasonal dinners that show off the produce of the Southern Forests region, chef Sophie Zalokar offers cooking classes once a month. These might include soup making, new ways with potatoes and ideas for camp cooking. Workshops for groups of eight people can also be arranged. Classes from $85. 1 Roberts Road, Pemberton. (08) 9776 1580; foragers.com.au Cape Lodge At this luxury lodge in the Margaret River region, chef Michael Elfwing hosts monthly cooking classes. Upcoming classes include Wilyabrup Produce and Cooking with Marron. Classes $145 (includes long-table lunch). 3341 Caves Road, Yallingup. (08) 9755 6311; capelodge.com.au TASMANIA Red Feather Inn This boutique hotel in the Meander Valley is the venue for regular Saturday cooking classes, such as To Market To Market, Fresh and Fragrant Thai, and Makin‘ Bacon. Classes from $195. 42 Main Street, Hadspen. (03) 6393 6506; redfeatherinn.com.au Fat Pig Farm Cookery School Gourmet Farmer Matthew Evans offers hands-on classes at his farm near Cygnet. Be prepared to get your hands dirty as you harvest and prepare produce from the property. Classes from $300 (includes lunch). 0415 168 285; fatpig.farm Sally Wise Cooking School The popular cookbook author teaches slow cooking, preserving and baking at her Derwent Valley property. Classes from $180. 179 Wyre Forest Road, Molesworth. 0408 569 423; sallywise.com.au QUEENSLAND Spirit House Cooking School A range of Thai-themed and Asian-inspired classes are held five days a week at this popular Sunshine Coast restaurant. Cost $150 (includes a meal). 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina. ( 07) 5446 8977; spirithouse.com.au