Best Cooking Classes in Melbourne 2023
The best cooking classes in Melbourne involve top chefs and food identities, are specialised and are held in well-equipped kitchen settings. Cooking classes are on the rise in Melbourne as a fun thing to do! Foodies are loving the experience of a cooking class to enhance their skills, meet new people and enjoy a quality shared experience over food. We haven't been to them all, but here are some of Melbourne's best cooking classes and cooking schools.
La Cucina Di Sandra - Richmond
Sandra Del Greco is the chef who left her corporate career to live her dream of La Cucina Di Sandra Cooking School in Richmond. She has been a smash hit at Melbourne festivals with her Mini Burrata sandwiches. Sandra also runs popular Pasta Classes and Italian Regional Cooking classes that receive rave reviews for authenticity, uniqueness, fun, and the charm of Sandra's persoanlity. Groups of six or eight are encouraged to book online together, making it a fun way to bond together and share an experience over cooking and food. Reasonably priced at $90 you get to experience the cooking class and a 3 course meal with finger food plus a glass of wine. Great value! Sandra is a character and her Italian personality shines through, adding to the experience. Her ex factory warehouse-like home has been transformed into a slice of Italy bringing an intimate home style ambience. Classes have been popular with groups of friends, as well as corporates (including top companies) who have enjoyed team bonding around food. One of Melbourne's best cooking classes. Client.
La Cucina Di Sandra was also featured in The Australian as one of four Australian cooking schools by Necia Wilden.
Essential Ingredient - Prahran
Essential Ingredient in Prahran Market has a wide range of cooking classes with top chefs involved including classes such as Pastry Essentials ($195) and Series, The Perfect Roast Gets Better ($195), and New Tricks Desserts ($275). What we find is that Essential Ingrdient offers industry courses that are not just cooking related such as Food Styling for Photography and The Food Blog - Making It A Career (we might be interested in that!). The classroom is well equipped for a professionally run class. The Essential Ingredient is also known for its extensive cookware and cookbooks - a foodie haven! It's hard to spend a short time there as you are captivated by the latest and greatest in cooking gadgetry and gear.
William Angliss Institute - La Trobe St
William Angliss Institute is a key training centre for the hospitality industry but you can book in to their cooking classes. For example you can undertake a 6 hour Cake Decorating: Children's Birthday Cake class to produce a large fabulous cake with a 3D cake topper for $190. Or how about a 12 hour course over the weekend on Breaking Bread to help you with your breadmaking for $360. Hands on training and comprehensive notes provided. Classes cover a gammut of foods and have fun names including Down in the Dumplings and I Love Choux.
Ganache Chocolate School - Melbourne
Ganache is a bespoke chocolatier offering a European style chocolate experience in Melbourne and its cooking school is a delightful avenue for chocolate lovers (isn't that all of us?). They even cater for private groups of 8-18. Classes run by their own Chocolate Chefs include How to Make Truffles ($85), Secrets of the Perfect Macaron ($100) and Chocolate Mousse and Garnishes ($95). You can learn to make your own unique chocolate bars! One of Melbourne's best cooking classes and cooking schools.
A Tavola! Cooking School - King Valley
Take a drive to the fabulous King Valley of Victoria to the cooking school of Katrina Pizzini of iconic Pizzini Wines. You will be enchanted by the region of the King Valley as a slice of Italy for a start. The winery and cellar door is stunning and Katrina runs her cooking school out of the large kitchen. Most of the classes are run by Katrina herself who is a superb cook, with classes equipped for eight participants. Carla Pizzini Katrina's sister in law also assists and is a fine cook herself. Popular classes include Pasta, Gnocchi and Risotto ($140) and Antipasti and Tapas (also $140). The ultimate class is The Dinner Party to cook during the afternoon and enjoy a long dinner at night for $195 a head. The cooking school is supported by the Australian Tourism Development Program.