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North Richmond & Abbotsford Victoria is a vibrant inner-suburb of Melbourne, just 3km outside the Melbourne CBD. There’s plenty to do in North Richmond & Abbotsford, but it’s most famous for its shopping, eating and drinking, watching spots from Melbourne Cricket Ground, the largest sports stadium in the southern hemisphere. North Richmond & Abbotsford is well served by public transport. Having a plan for parking in North Richmond & Abbotsford will make your life a lot easier. There are lots of options for cheap parking in Richmond, but as the closest suburb to the MCG it’s crowded when there’s a big game on with over 100,000 people.

The best way to get to here is via train or tram, with lots of route choices. You can get to Richmond’s train station from Flinders Street Station in the CBD, with a travel time of about 10 minutes. Tram numbers 70, 109, 48 and 75 will also get you from the city into various parts of North Richmond/Abbotsford.

There’s limited street parking in North Richmond & Abbotsford, if you want to try your luck. Most street parking is timed, and some spaces are reserved for local permit holders. Your best bet is to look on side streets away from the busier areas such as Bridge Road, Victoria Street, Swan Street or Church Street – but always pay attention to the signage. Remember parking will be harder to find in peak times or where there are events on so leave lots of time to look for a spot.

If you’re looking for a park near Bridge Road, you can’t beat Richmond Traders. This car park is accessed from 261 Bridge Road and offers easy access to shopping on the main strip. It operates from 6.00am to midnight each day and you can pay for parking with cash or credit card. This is being upgraded till 2021. 

Victoria Gardens is a shopping centre on the corner of Victoria and Burnley Streets or connecting with Bridge Road East End Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre car park gives you access to one of the major shopping hubs in Richmond – with supermarkets, cinemas, and food retailers close at hand. This is some of the cheapest parking in Richmond if you’re parking for just a few hours, but stay over 6 hours and parking gets expensive.

If you’re heading to Church Street for a short-stay, you could consider Church Street Car Park. This car park is open 24 hours a day but has a maximum parking time of 2 hours most of the time. The only times with no maximum parking time are before 6am and after 8pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you're heading to Victoria street you could consider the Hive shopping car park. This carpark is open to serve aldi and woolworth supermarkets and other shops. The first hour is free then you will pay $4 per hour after. The Victoria street parking is about $2 per hour.

If you need to visit Epworth Hospital on Bridge Road, there’s limited undercover parking available. Hospital parking is filling up quickly and never cheap, but it’s an easy option when you really need to be there. The car park entrance is on Bridge Road. 

Located off Bridge Road and close to Epworth Hospital, Allowah Terrace Car Park is operated by Ace Parking and is both convenient and cheap. This car park is open 24/7 and has no height restrictions. It’s also just a short stroll away from the MCG, so it’s a great spot for game day parking or night time events at the stadium. Just get there early!

This one isn’t a car parking location, but an app to help you find one. PayStay is a convenient way to search for available on and off-street parking spaces, and to use cashless payments too. 

When using the app, you’ll be able to check it for parking availability in an area. It will show parking availability as low, medium, or high, so you’ll know just where you need to go. Once you have a spot you can use the app to pay for parking and to set reminders to let you know when your parking session is about to expire. It’s super useful!

Tired of struggling with too many details that go into any team building activity such as learning, togetherness or having fun? Otao kitchen's team bonding is built to handle all those details and more. Whether your next event is virtual, in-person or a combination of both, we’ll make sure it runs smoothly from start to finish. 

Our chefs and event managers love what they do. These are people who understand both the art of team building cooking. Their genuine enthusiasm is infectious. They have the ability to inspire and engage, while fostering positive, authentic connections that will last long after your event is over.

• Selection. We have a dozen of cooking themes for you to cook, entertain, share and celebrate. Contact us helps you select a program to fit your goals, budget and calendar perfectly.
• Customising. There’s real power in strategically customising a team and work party event to fit with the business culture, staff inspiration and goal of your team event.
• Booking and planning. Your chef and host  organises event details for you so you can enjoy the event as well.
• Event Day! Your chef and host deliver the cooking event, engage your team, achieve your goals, and wrap things up with a strategic debrief.

Where We Do Team Bonding

We have a brand new 200m2 cooking studio in Abbotsford, Melbourne - just 3km from Melbourne CBD or virtually online. Otao kitchen’s greatest strength is that you join us in our kitchen so you can experience the real cooking. Many of our programs can be done at your office. Other times a nearby venue makes more sense. We’ve staged successful events at countless hotels, restaurants, convention centers, and theme parks across the globe.

For a Melbourne team to work effectively, it needs team players that communicate, support and collaborate with each other. While you can foster these qualities with time, it’s rare to find a team that work well together at the start. Collaboration has to be developed through group activities. 

If you’re looking up activities for team building, Melbourne team activities are packed with events and classes that will transform your team into a cohesive unit. Fun group activities in Melbourne offers include cooking classes, painting classes, and escape rooms. Your employees will develop friendships, create memories, and build trust, translating to productive, effective work units. 

This page covers why you should invest in team-building and lists some of the best team building activities in Melbourne has available to help you get started.

Importance of Team Building Cooking Activities

Team building cooking aims to create a fun and exciting environment where employees can interact while learning new skills. Throughout the cooking activity, they will learn about their strengths and weaknesses and develop the skills to work in harmony with each other. However, it would be best if your company didn’t rely on one-off corporate cooking events. Otao Kitchen hosts many cooking activities that allow your team to challenge themselves and build skills that will transfer to the workplace. 

Group Cooking Classes in Melbourne

A group cooking class is the perfect team outing. Melbourne is filled with foodies, so connecting your teammates with local chefs makes for a fun and exciting social kitchen escapade. 

You can stand beside your co-workers as you learn how to slice and dice and then celebrate the achievement with a delicious meal. Whether you’re looking for corporate summer outings or a more intimate setting, you can find new kitchen studio at Otao Kitchen for your employees to build trust and cooperation. Through group cooking classes, your team will:

• Bonding
• Creativity
• Cooking 

Virtual Classes for Team Building

As the world continually adapts to the “new normal,” remote work has become commonplace. While some may love being able to roll out of bed and have their office a few feet away, remote workers lose out on the relationships typically built through in-person communication. 

One way to alleviate this burden is through online group activities. If you’re setting up team building activities, Sydney or Melbourne doesn’t have to be the stage. You can perform these games from the comfort of your own home while still benefiting from the much-needed social interaction.

Corporate Group Outings in Melbourne

Corporate team-building exercises don’t have to be a nuisance. With a little planning and the right atmosphere, you can organise an activity that boosts morale while building camaraderie. 

If you’re trying to find the most memorable team building activities, Melbourne cooking school Otao Kitchen can deliver, nothing beats a group cooking course—and you can host online group activities. Otao Kitchen has a variety of classes that can appeal to any palate. Contact us today to book group cooking classes for your company.

Corporate teams around the work have embraced remote work and find a new way to collaborate. Team building is an important part of collaboration and bonding. Team building efforts are most effective when done regularly, and result in a caring and connected team. 

When it comes to remote working with teams, virtual team building is especially important. Since the intention to communicate and collaborate needs to be at the forefront of all remote initiatives, making sure that your team feels emotionally connected is a good place to start. 

REMOTE TEAM BUILDING AND BONDING

Speaking to your team member in person is easier when in person as you can give your attention, pick up on nonverbal cues, and build rapport via shared experiences.

However, choosing to get together in person as one team does come with some challenge. Assuming it’s safe to travel, airfare and accommodations can be pricey, and each flight will add about 0.5 metric tons of CO2 to your carbon footprint. 

Selecting remote meetings helps fill in the communication gaps during those technologically-challenging moments. Let's look at some icebreakers and quick virtual activities to help your team kick-off your next conference call on the same page.

The key here is to make team catch up with consistent, rather than a random bonding exercise. In the long run, your team will become more familiar with the idea of opening up to other team members through some fun virtual activities like cooking. 

Here are some quick and ongoing team building activities to implement in your team conference calls to keep work moving forward in a collaborative and connected light.

THE HAPPY HOUR TEAM BUILDING 

We will be cultivating a fun and imaginative atmosphere, making delicious food and drinks to share in this virtual team-building ‘happy hour’ demonstration class. Through an approachable back-to-the-basics style of cooking and hospitality, we empower people to connect and develop as a group. Our chef instructors have structured a fun, engaging, and interactive program using food and beverages as a vehicle for inspiring deeper connections. We provide a variety of food-based experiences like home cook-offs, cocktail workshops, cooking classes, contests, and challenges. You can choose any of the menu themes below.

ONLINE COOKING CLASSES 

In this online cooking class, your team members can cook, connect and celebrate together. This virtual cooking event can be hosted by our chef in Melbourne to the comfort of the participants' kitchen anywhere via Zoom. You choose the menu, we may change a little to reflect the timing and send you a list of ingredients, so your members can include them in their normal shopping. Our menu below has been customised to use your local supermarkets (Australia - Coles, and Woolworth) or (New Zealand - New World, Countdown).   We can modify recipes and ingredients to suit any dietary requirements. The virtual cooking events can range in duration from 1 to 2 hours and are for a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 40 Zoom connections. All you need is a laptop, tablet, or mobile phone, a functioning kitchen, and a few pantry basics. Check the ingredient list before booking classes in Dumpling Making, Street Food Asia, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean or Vegan 

ONLINE COOKING CLASS  WITH A MAGIC BOX OF INGREDIENTS DELIVERED AUS WIDE

Online cooking classes with our magic box of ingredients are the best activity to do with your team or clients? Perhaps an alternative to your end-of-year party or a gift? Live private cooking classes with Otao kitchen chefs are the perfect way to enjoy great food, learn new tricks, and get together when it's not so easy to physically get together. We'll deliver everything including some stool (no meat/seafood) so you and your guests need to cook along at home, so all that's left is to log on our Zoom, hone your cooking skills, eat delicious food, and have a great time. Generally, we need 7 working days to deliver your boxes to a metro city, and it will be more for regional cities and towns in Australia. The meals will be vegetarian, and we will include in your note if you want to have the option to add meats and seafood.  Check the menu here: The Ultimate Dumpling Making, Japanese Ramen Making Class, Authentic Pasta making Class, Cooking with Native Ingredients, Plus you can ask for our drink Victorian option.

Best Corporate Cooking Classes in Australia

Looking for a fun and engaging way to bring your team together? Corporate cooking classes are an excellent way to boost teamwork, creativity, and communication while enjoying delicious food. Whether you want to host a virtual event or an in-person workshop, Australia offers a variety of top-rated corporate cooking experiences. Here are some of the best options available:

1. Otao Kitchen (Melbourne & Online)

Otao Kitchen specializes in interactive team-building cooking classes that cater to corporate groups. Whether your team prefers an in-person experience or a virtual cooking session, Otao Kitchen offers tailored programs to suit your needs.

✅ What Makes It Special?

• Hands-on, chef-led experiences with professional guidance.

• A variety of cuisines, including Vietnamese, Japanese, Mexican, and more.

• Virtual cooking classes with delivered hampers for remote teams.

📍 Location: Melbourne & Online
🔗 Learn more

2. Sydney Cooking School (Sydney, NSW)

Sydney Cooking School provides corporate cooking classes designed to enhance teamwork in a fun and relaxed setting. Their classes range from BBQ Masterclasses to Sushi Making and Classic French Cooking.

✅ Why Choose Sydney Cooking School?

• Customizable team-building packages.

• Professional chefs guide your team through hands-on experiences.

• Options for large corporate groups.

📍 Location: Neutral Bay, Sydney

3. The Essential Ingredient Cooking School (Multiple Locations)

With locations in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, The Essential Ingredient Cooking School offers corporate cooking workshops featuring top-tier chefs and diverse cuisines. Their hands-on approach ensures an engaging and rewarding experience for all participants.

✅ Highlights:

• Custom corporate cooking packages tailored to your team’s preferences.

• High-quality ingredients and expert-led instruction.

• Specialty courses including pasta-making, Asian cuisine, and more.

📍 Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra

4. Vanilla Zulu Culinary Adventures (Brisbane, QLD)

Located in Brisbane, Vanilla Zulu offers fun and interactive corporate cooking classes designed to build stronger teams. Whether it’s a competitive cooking challenge or a relaxed group experience, their classes are great for bonding over delicious food.

✅ What Sets It Apart?

• Unique team-building experiences, including Mystery Box Challenges.

• Private and corporate group sessions available.

• Options for cooking competitions and themed classes.

📍 Location: Brisbane, QLD

5. Sticky Fingers Cooking School (Perth, WA)

For corporate teams looking for a unique culinary experience, Sticky Fingers Cooking School in Perth offers custom corporate cooking classes. Their classes focus on collaboration, creativity, and fun.

✅ Why Pick Sticky Fingers?

• Classes tailored to corporate team-building needs.

• Options for private bookings and larger team events.

• Cooking styles range from traditional Aussie BBQ to international cuisine.

📍 Location: Perth, WA

Final Thoughts

Corporate cooking classes are a fantastic way to strengthen teamwork, enhance communication, and create lasting memories. Whether you prefer a hands-on experience in a professional kitchen or a virtual cooking class with delivered ingredients, Australia has a variety of exceptional options.

For Melbourne-based and online corporate cooking experiences, Otao Kitchen is a top choice with its interactive, tailored programs. Explore the best cooking classes in Australia and give your team an experience they'll never forget!

🔗 Explore Otao Kitchen Corporate Cooking Classes

Are you looking to plan an event that stands out from the rest? Do you want to make sure that your event goes off without a hitch? Look no further than this ultimate event planning guide. By starting with a clear understanding of your event's what and why, you can set a benchmark for success and ensure that every aspect of your event is optimised. Read on to discover how to plan an event perfectly.

1. Define Your Event's Goals and Objectives

The first and most critical step to planning any event is to establish clear goals and objectives. Before you start planning, ask yourself: why are you organizing this event, and what do you hope to achieve? Maybe you want to raise awareness for a particular cause or attract a specific number of attendees. Whatever your goals may be, make sure they are quantifiable, so it's easier to measure success. Knowing your objectives from the beginning can help you create an effective event plan and ensure that everything you do supports your ultimate ambitions.

2. Understand Your Audience

Once you have defined your goals and objectives, the next step is to understand your audience. Ask yourself: who are the people you want to attend your event? What are their needs, interests, and preferences? Knowing your audience will guide decisions around your event's date and time, location, type of activities, and speakers. For example, if your audience comprises mostly millennials, they may prefer an immersive event experience. On the other hand, if your target audience is corporate managers, they may require a different type of event.

3. Determine Revenue and Expenditure

Every event requires funding, and it's essential to determine the sources of revenue and expenditure. You can generate revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, company donations, or exhibition fees. When it comes to expenses, allocate funds for venue hire, activities, food and beverage, technology, speakers and entertainment, marketing and promotion, event styling, and travel. Make sure to set a realistic budget and consider all possible costs to avoid unexpected expenses.

4. Plan for Logistics

Planning for logistics is critical in ensuring that your event runs smoothly. Key logistics areas to consider include venue management, transportation, security, catering, and audio-visual equipment. When choosing a venue, make sure it's suitable for your event's size and requirements. Consider factors such as accessibility, parking, and accommodation options. Also, think about the location's ambiance and whether it is conducive to your attendees' overall experience.

5. Promote Your Event

Finally, promoting your event is a crucial element of a successful event plan. To maximize attendance, create a comprehensive marketing campaign that includes email marketing, social media, event listing sites, and PR outreach. Make sure to set up a dedicated event page on your website, which highlights the event's features and benefits. Leverage all the available marketing channels to create buzz and excitement around your event.

Conclusion: 

In conclusion, planning an event is an involved process that requires careful attention to detail and a comprehensive plan. By starting with a clear what and why, understanding your audience, determining revenue and expenditure, planning for logistics, and promoting your event, you can create an unforgettable experience that achieves your goals. Following this ultimate event planning guide will set you up for success and ensure that your event stands out from the rest.