Best Food Hampers for Every Occasion 2023

Cooking for two can be a delightful and rewarding experience, whether you're cooking for yourself and a partner, a roommate, or a close friend. In a world where many recipes are designed for larger families or gatherings, cooking for two offers a unique opportunity to create intimate and personalized meals tailored to your tastes and preferences. 

Family bonds are becoming stronger, thanks to a rising trend - family experience gifts. These gifts prioritize shared moments over material possessions, creating lasting memories that families treasure.

Melbourne, a city renowned for its dynamic culture, varied scenery, and mouthwatering cuisine, has a wealth of experiences that would make the ideal present. Melbourne's charm goes far beyond the typical, whether you're looking to surprise a loved one, celebrate a particular occasion, or make lifelong memories. 

Vouchers are like special tickets. They help you get things or experiences without using money. They are super useful in many situations.

Experience gift vouchers have become increasingly popular for special occasions, and it's no mystery why! They're all about making memories that last. Instead of regular gifts that might end up collecting dust, experiences stick around in your mind for a long time.

(CNN)- When it comes to choosing where to go for a vacation, what we’re going to eat and drink can be a big part of making travel plans.

We love to celebrate the good stuff and lambast the bad.

If you’ve always wanted to learn to cook, there’s no better time than right now! There are so many fun-filled cooking classes in Australia to try from Perth to Canberra and Adelaide to Hobart, so what are you waiting for? It’s time to roll up your sleeves, don your chef’s hat and prepare for a delicious journey of discovery!

Once you’ve taken the plunge and decided to learn cooking, you’ll find a world full of mouth-watering flavours awaits you, which you can sample with the help of sushi making sessions, Italian cooking classes and workshops dedicated to teaching you tantalising Thai delicacies.

As well as helping you learn to cook with flavour and confidence, cooking lessons are also a thrilling experience to share with the special people in your life. Looking for things to do on a rainy day to keep your kids occupied? Why not sign them up for cooking classes for teens? Racking your brain trying to come up with some unique hens party ideas for your bestie bride-to-be? Why not treat her and the other hens to an exotic Japanese cooking class?

Cooking lessons even make fantastic team building activities, providing a relaxed and inspiring environment where you and your co-workers can unwind, reconnect and pick up some slick new slicing and dicing skills at the same time!

Intrigued? Read on to discover 9 reasons why you should definitely learn cooking.

1. Cooking lessons will bring you independence

Whether you’re a young adult just starting out on your independent path or someone who’s just never really been very interested in all things culinary, learning how to cook will bring a whole new level of independence to your life. You won’t have to rely on your mum’s home cooking anymore – as delicious as that might be – nor will you have to depend on take-out and ready meals, which aren’t very good for you anyway.

2. Taking cooking classes is great for your health!

If you’ve been living off too many Pot Noodles and frozen pizzas, signing up for a few classes to learn cooking will not only empower you, but it will also bring some significant health benefits too. Once you have a firm foundation of culinary knowledge, you’ll be able to prepare flavourful and healthy dishes that nourish your body and bring a smile to your face. 

As you learn to cook with the help of a talented local chef, you can also ask for advice and find tasty recipes that fit your lifestyle and your unique requirements. For example, if you’re a vegan who’s not sure how to cook vegan meals that are both healthy and delicious, taking some vegan cooking classes will give you plenty of inspiration!

3. Learn cooking and enjoy a plumper wallet

While you may have to shell out a few dollars to pay for cooking classes initially, taking some time to learn to cook will actually save you a lot of money in the long run. For one thing, you won’t have to pay for meal delivery services, take-out or microwave meals anymore. Instead, you’ll know how to concoct all kinds of mouth-watering morsels using fresh, good-quality but affordable ingredients.

Interested in learning how to cook like a pro? Discover Australia's top culinary schools.

4. Enjoy a tasty cooking experience packed with global flavours

Once you check out some of the fun-filled cooking lessons available across Australia, you will soon see what a rainbow of flavours there are to discover. If you thought putting your name down for a cooking experience would be dull, think again! There are so many different classes to choose from, just waiting to introduce you to sumptuous delicacies from across the globe – from Thailand to Taiwan, and Fiji to France. 

5. Couples cooking classes make fun date night ideas

As well as teaching you how to rock that wok and bake up a storm, cooking classes for beginners can also shake up your date nights! That’s right, bringing your partner along for a cooking experience is one of the cutest and quirky date night ideas you could come up with. It’s also the perfect way to strengthen your bond while learning something new. Think of it this way – now both of you will be able to cook each other romantic meals from scratch with your newfound knowledge!

6. Get your kids involved with cooking classes for teens

If you have older kids at home who will soon be flying the nest, why not prepare them for their exciting new life of independence by booking them onto cooking classes tailored to their age range? These engaging hands-on workshops offer a laidback and encouraging space where your teens can stretch their culinary wings and pick up plenty of helpful tips and easy recipes they can make once they leave home.

7. Learn to cook and you’ll also unleash your creativity 

Cooking isn’t just about nourishing your body, it’s also about feeding your soul. Learning how to prepare mouth-watering meals with a variety of fresh ingredients, spices and sauces is a creative activity, just like painting or pottery. With the help of your friendly and knowledgeable culinary instructors, you will soon discover how fun it can be to experiment with different flavours and find the ones you love the best.

8. Show your family you love them by cooking special meals

One of the simplest but most profound ways to show people you love them is by cooking them a delicious meal. Once you learn to cook, you can regularly express your devotion to your family by preparing their favourite meals and maybe even making them birthday cakes from scratch!

9. Try out time-saving meal prep and save yourself some stress 

When you learn to cook, you are laying down a foundation of culinary know-how that will help you in all kinds of ways – one of which is meal prep. Preparing a batch of meals at the start of the week will save you lots of time and stress, as all you’ll need to do after a long day at work is heat them up again. See what we mean? When you know how to cook, life instantly becomes so much easier!

Cooking is an essential life skill that everyone should learn at some point in their lives. Not only is it a fun and creative activity, but it also provides numerous benefits both for your health and wallet. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 9 reasons why you should consider taking a cooking class, and why now is the perfect time to do so.

1. Cooking lessons will bring you independence

Learning to cook isn’t just about preparing tasty meals, it’s also about gaining another level of independence in your life. Knowing how to cook will give you the ability to whip up a meal whenever you need it without relying on takeout or frozen dinners. Plus, it’s a skill that you can share with others, whether it’s hosting a dinner party or cooking for your family.

2. Taking cooking classes is great for your health!

Cooking at home allows you to control the quality and ingredients of your meals, ultimately leading to a healthier lifestyle. From using fresh herbs and vegetables to lowering sodium levels, cooking classes will teach you the importance of using wholesome ingredients and prepare dishes that suit your specific dietary needs.

3. Learn cooking and enjoy a plumper wallet 

Eating out, buying premade meals and takeaways can add up quickly and puts a strain on your budget. Cooking at home can save you money in the long run, which is perfect for those who are on a tight budget. Plus, taking a cooking class can teach you how to make delicious meals while saving on ingredients, making it an economical choice for home cooks.

4. Enjoy a tasty cooking experience packed with global flavours

Cooking classes open up a world of delicious flavours. With cooking classes that specialise in cooking international dishes, you can experience new flavours, techniques and cuisines from around the world. From sushi-making sessions to Thai delicacies and Italian pastas, there is a whole universe of deliciousness out there!

5. Couples cooking classes make fun date night ideas

Learn to make it romantic by taking cooking classes with your significant other. Couples cooking classes offer a chance to spend quality time together while preparing a meal that you both can enjoy. These classes are perfect for date nights and special occasions, adding a fun, interactive element that experiencing a traditional dinner date.

6. Get your kids involved with cooking classes for teens

Cooking classes for teens are fun and informative, and a great way to get your children interested in cooking. Cooking is a valuable life skill that will stick with them as they grow up, and can help build healthy habits.Plus, bonding over a meal is one of the best ways for families to spend time together and can create lifelong memories.

7. Learn to cook and you’ll also unleash your creativity 

Cooking is an art form, and it encourages creativity. With exposure to various cooking techniques, new recipes and ingredients, a cooking class can open up your passions that you never knew existed. Whether it's refining a presentation, experimenting with new ingredients, or simply learning something new – your creative juices will flow.

8. Show your family you love them by cooking special meals

Cooking classes can help you express your love for your family and friends by making them a special meal. Some cooking classes focus on making special dishes for whipping up a romantic dinner, a family gathering or simply a treat for your friends. Learning to cook for those you love and making memories around the dinner table is one of the most rewarding experiences of cooking.

9. Try out time-saving meal prep and save yourself some stress 

With today’s busy lifestyles, meal prep is essential. Cooking classes teach techniques for efficient meal planning, cooking, and storage to help you save time on meal prep, and reduce the stress of daily cooking. You can also learn how to make big batches of meals that can last a week and cutting your time in the kitchen altogether.

Taking a cooking class is a smart move for anyone who wants to improve their skills and broaden their culinary horizons. With these nine reasons to start taking cooking classes, there has never been a better time than today to sharpen your skills in the kitchen. Whether it’s for health, fun, bonding or just upskilling, we’ve got you covered. Join us at Otao kitchen and let us take you on a journey of discovery.

Cooking is more than just a necessity for survival – it can also be a fun and rewarding activity that brings people together. Cooking classes are a great way to learn new skills, bond with others, and create memories that will last a lifetime. And in Melbourne, there are plenty of cooking classes available that cater to all types of events and occasions. Whether you’re planning a hens party, team building activity, date night, birthday party, or just a fun day out, there’s a cooking class that’s perfect for you.

1. Make pasta from scratch with your special someone

If you’re looking for a romantic date night idea, why not try a pasta making class? Not only will you get to spend quality time with your partner, but you’ll also learn how to make delicious pasta from scratch. Otao kitchen workshops in Melbourne offers a hands-on pasta making class that teaches you all the tips and tricks to create perfect pasta. You’ll be kneading dough, rolling it out, and cutting it to your desired shape in no time.

2. Or cater to everyone's preferences with a vegan cooking class

For those who have a mix of dietary preferences in their team, a vegan cooking class can be just the thing. Not only will you learn how to cook vegan dishes that taste delicious, but you’ll also discover how to hero vegetables in your meals. These unique team bonding events will have everyone working together to create a meal that satisfies every palate.

3. Celebrate your birthday party with good food and good company

If you’re looking for birthday party ideas but don’t want to have to worry about organising the food, a cooking class can be a great solution. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced cook, there are classes available that cater to all skill levels. You’ll be able to create a delicious meal with the help of a chef, and you’ll have a great time doing it.

4. Enjoy a social day out with friends and family

Sometimes the best events are the ones that don’t need a reason for happening. If you just want to spend some quality time with your friends and family, a cooking class can be a great way to do it. You’ll be able to learn new skills, create delicious food, and have fun with your loved ones. Melbourne has a variety of cooking classes available that cater to different group sizes, skill levels, and types of cuisine, so you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to spend some quality time with friends and family, cooking classes in Melbourne are a great way to do it. With a variety of classes available that cater to different events and preferences, everyone can find something they’ll enjoy. So why not try something different and book a cooking class today? You might just discover a new passion and have a lot of fun in the process.

Looking for a date night idea that’s both romantic and unique? Look no further than couples cooking classes in Melbourne! Cooking together is the perfect way to bond and create lasting memories with your significant other. From learning new culinary skills to enjoying delicious meals at home, there are countless reasons why Melbourne couples cooking classes should be your next date night destination. 

1. Become More Confident in the Kitchen Together

One of the most exciting things about taking a couples cooking class is the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques together. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned home cook, these classes are designed to be fun and accessible for all levels. You’ll leave feeling more confident than ever in the kitchen and ready to take on new challenges together. 

2. Enjoy Cooking Simple, Delicious Meals at Home

Looking for a way to elevate your weeknight dinners? Couples cooking classes are the perfect solution. You’ll learn how to create simple, delicious meals that you can recreate at home anytime you want to impress your partner. Plus, cooking together is a great way to bond and relax after a long day at work. 

3. Travel the World and Enjoy Culinary Experiences Together

One of the coolest things about Melbourne couples cooking classes is the chance to explore different cuisines from around the world. From Italian to Thai to Japanese, there’s a class for every palate. Not only will you learn new cooking techniques, but you’ll also gain insight into the cultural significance of each dish. It’s like taking a mini-vacation without ever leaving home! 

4. Learn How to Save Money and Meal Prep

Cooking at home is a great way to save money and eat healthier, but it can also be time-consuming and intimidating. Couples cooking classes can help take the stress out of meal prep by teaching you how to plan ahead, shop for ingredients, and prepare meals efficiently. You’ll save money and time, all while enjoying delicious home-cooked meals together. 

5. Surprise Each Other by Cooking Their Favourite Meal

Finally, what could be more romantic than cooking your partner’s favourite meal for them? Surprise them on Valentine’s Day or their birthday with a homemade dinner they’ll never forget. Take the skills you learned in your couples cooking class and put them to the test. It’s a thoughtful and personal gift that shows how much you care. 

Whether you’re looking to learn new culinary skills, enjoy delicious meals at home, or surprise your partner with a homemade dinner, Melbourne couples cooking classes are the answer. Not only are they a fun and unique date night idea, but they also offer long-term benefits such as increased confidence in the kitchen and healthier eating habits. So why not give it a try and see where your culinary journey takes you?

Cooking can be a daunting task for many people; however, it is a skill that can be learnt and mastered with a little effort and guidance. Do you find yourself always ordering takeout or relying on simple recipes? Melbourne offers a wide range of cooking classes for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, who want to improve their culinary skills. In this blog post, we will explore some of the advantages of taking cooking classes in Melbourne and why everyone should give it a try.

Start with the basics: 

One of the advantages of enrolling in cooking classes in Melbourne is that you can start with the basics. You do not need to be an experienced cook to attend these classes, as they are tailored for all skill levels. Local Melbourne chefs offer simple, easy-to-follow cooking lessons that will make you feel relaxed and confident in the kitchen. In a friendly and informal environment, you can learn essential kitchen skills such as chopping, boiling, and whisking, which will enable you to cook more complex dishes later on.

Get familiar with spices and herbs: 

Once you have mastered the basics, you can now move on to the fun part: experimenting with spices and herbs. Melbourne offers a diverse range of cooking classes, which focus on different cuisines from all over the world, such as Thai, Chinese, Indian, and Italian. By attending these classes, you can learn about different herbs and spices and how to incorporate them into your dishes to create new flavours and aromas. You may even discover new dishes that you will love to cook and share with your friends and family.

Plan ahead and save time: 

Cooking classes in Melbourne are not only a fun and exciting way to spend your time, but they can also help you plan and prepare your meals ahead of time. Most classes offer practical tips and advice on how to shop for ingredients, plan menus, and cook efficiently, which will save you time and money. Additionally, cooking classes can be a perfect team-building activity, where you can gather your colleagues and learn how to cook together as a team. It is a great way to bond, unwind after a long day, and cook nourishing dishes that will make you feel happy and satisfied.

Master delicious recipes at home: 

The most significant advantage of attending cooking classes in Melbourne is that you can learn how to cook delicious and healthy meals that you can recreate at home. By mastering new recipes and cooking techniques, you will be able to impress your family and friends with your culinary skills. You can create a foodie community and connect with other people who share the same passion for cooking. Additionally, learning how to cook will provide you with a valuable life skill that you can enjoy for the rest of your life.

Conclusion: 

Cooking classes in Melbourne  are a fantastic way to start your culinary journey, whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced cook. From learning essential kitchen skills to experimenting with different herbs and spices, these classes offer a wide range of benefits. By enrolling in a cooking class, you can plan ahead, save time and money, and master delicious recipes that you can recreate at home. So why not take the leap and sign up for a cooking class in Melbourne today? Your taste buds will thank you!

On the hunt for exciting date night ideas to spark connection? Look no further than these romantic cooking classes in Perth! These couples cooking classes are the perfect way to connect with your partner and try something new together. Held in welcoming and intimate culinary schools and local restaurants across Perth, you can don your apron, roll up your sleeves and get excited to create delicious, homemade meals.

Cooking together in the kitchen helps you connect on a whole new level as you create mouth-watering dishes together as a team. Plus, you can travel the world without ever leaving Perth through our culinary experiences. From Thai cooking classes to pizza making classes to pasta making classes, these couples cooking classes are sure to tempt your taste buds and satisfy your wanderlust.

Make your own fresh bread

Have you ever wanted to make your own bread? Well, in these cooking classes, you can learn how to make fresh bread right in your own home! Your friendly teacher Derek will provide all the equipment and ingredients required so all you need to bring is a love of baking! During the full-day class, you will learn all you need to know about fermentation, shaping, proofing and baking your own bread. Then you’ll get a chance to make homebrew stout bread and a rich fruit dough that can be turned into delicious cinnamon scrolls.

The great thing about cooking in your own home is that you are familiar with your own kitchen and will help you feel more confident to continue baking loaves of bread with your partner. After all, these cooking clases in Perth are not just a one-time thing but you leave the class with newfound baking skills too.

Cook Spanish paella and churros

Join The Cooking Professor in Mount Hawthorn and learn to cook Spanish paella! Making a paella can be tricky given the variety of ingredients from rice, shellfish and chicken to cook together but chef Rikki will help you break it down and time everything to perfection. Cooking classes for beginners offer a relaxing and casual atmosphere for you to learn cooking skills and master simple, delicious meals. Plus, at the end of the session, you’ll get to make homemade churros for the perfect ending to a Spanish feast.

Learn how to decorate cupcakes

If you have a sweet tooth, cupcakes are perfect for creating cute and adorable decorations! In this fun cupcake decorating class, you will learn how to frost, stack and create incredible designs using a range of colours and flavours. With step-by-step instructions from a professional pastry chef, you’ll be able to make anything from simple swirls to beautiful roses.

It might be your first time decorating cupcakes but with the help of experienced instructors, you’ll find that these cooking courses Perth will leave you wanting more! Bring along your spouse for a special treat as cupcakes are always better when shared! At the end of the class, you can take home a box of cupcakes you decorated yourself and have the confidence to create stunning designs for your own cupcakes at home!

Enjoy a French three-course cooking experience

If you’re looking for unique things to do in Perth this weekend or after some romantic date ideas, join French Michelin Star Chef Francois Morabito for an exclusive French three-course cooking experience. During this hands-on class, Francois will show you how to make a three-course dinner menu from quiche lorraine, duck breast à l’orange to dark chocolate souffle for dessert. Afterwards, you can sit back and taste the dishes you have prepared, paired with a glass of French champagne. Held in his private kitchen, these couples cooking classes offer a relaxing and inviting atmosphere to have fun with your date and inspire you to prepare these delicious dishes at home.

Make handmade chocolate for each other

Do you and your partner adore chocolate? If so, these cooking classes in Perth are the perfect date night idea to create your own handmade chocolates together. During this French cooking class, you will learn all about the history of chocolate in France and how to make a variety of chocolate desserts. On the menu is a delicious chocolate creme brulee, dark chocolate tart and many more! The best part is that you get to take home a box of chocolate desserts for each other as a special gift.

These Perth workshops are perfect for any chocolate lover who wants to spoil their date and keep the romance alive.

Book a private global cooking class for two

If you want date night experience gifts that are out of the ordinary, then join Latasha’s Kitchen in North Perth where she teaches couples how to create delicious meals from all around the world! You can choose from a wide range of cuisines from Africa, Persia, India, Vietnam to Thailand. Once you have chosen your particular cuisine, you can learn all about the ingredients and techniques before creating a culinary masterpiece in your very own kitchen.

The Perth cooking lesson includes instruction on choosing the right ingredients, as well as hands-on experience with making small side dishes like dhal and raita. In these Perth cooking classes, the food that you’ve made can easily be taken away in containers so you can serve it as a dinner party for your family or friends. Bon appetit!

Indulge in truffle luxury dishes 

Have you ever tasted truffles? Well, these culinary classes in Perth will teach you how to make your very own truffle dishes! During this truffle feast class, you will learn how to make a variety of delicious meals that are all made with truffle! You can discover new flavours and ingredients like truffle parmesan creme, truffle gratin and even a truffle creme brulee. These Perth activities are a must do for any foodie who loves discovering new things to eat.

Make Japanese sushi from scratch

Want to travel to Japan with your lover without breaking the bank? In these Perth cooking classes, you will learn all about the different types of sushi, as well as how to make them from scratch. The best part is that you get to make your own rolls with a skilled chef! After learning all about sushi rice and how to choose high quality fish, you’ll have a chance to roll your own sushi. Then you can throw some seaweed around your tasty rolls and dip it in some soy sauce for the perfect bite!

Calling all pasta lovers!

Are you and your partner long-time pasta lovers? If so, you’ll absolutely love these cooking classes in Perth that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. In this Italian cooking class, you will learn all about the history of pasta and how to make a variety of different types of fresh pasta. The best part is that after the class, you’ll be able to taste delicious, freshly cooked pasta with your date.

This is definitely an experience gift for couples who love Italian food and want different things to do in Perth. Also, if you have never made fresh pasta before, this class is ideal for beginners as it provides step-by-step instructions and guidance from a professional chef. You can bring along your spouse or partner so both of you can get hands-on experience with making delicious food together!

Are you a vegan food lover looking to expand your culinary knowledge? You're in the right place. Vegan cooking classes are an excellent opportunity to learn new recipes and techniques to create delicious, plant-based dishes. In this blog, we'll take you on a journey through four popular cuisines that you can learn at vegan cooking classes. From Japanese and Korean dishes to Vietnamese and Indian-themed meals, our guide presents recipes that will expand your culinary horizons.

Japanese Cooking:

Japanese cuisine is full of exquisite dishes and a perfect solution for those looking for vegan options. With vegan Japanese cuisine developed around Buddhist temples, you can expect flavorful and satisfying dishes. At vegan Japanese cooking classes, you'll prepare dishes like chirashi sushi, colorful sushi rice topped with fresh veggies, and yaki ganmodoki, pan-fried tofu cakes. Other recipes include kenchin-jiru, a hearty root vegetable stew, horensou goma ae, spinach in sesame sauce, and tsukemono, seasonal Japanese pickles. 

Korean Cooking:

Korean vegan cuisine is known for its spice, variety, and flavour. You'll learn to prepare dishes like yeonnik-bap, sticky rice wrapped in a lotus leaf, oi-baek-kimchi, white cucumber kimchi, tteokbokki, spicy rice cakes with seasonal vegetables, doboo jeon, fried tofu, and vegetable patties. Also, cho-gochjang, a sweet and spicy bean paste sauce, is sure to brighten up your meals. Korean cuisine is a great option for anyone looking for unique and flavorful vegan meals.

Vietnamese Cooking:

Vietnamese cuisine is renowned for its fresh and light flavours, perfect for health-conscious foodies. At Vietnamese vegan cooking classes, you'll learn to prepare nuoc cham, a sweet and sour dipping sauce, banh it tran, steamed rice and mung bean dumplings, goi cuon, rice paper rolls with seasonal vegetables, and dau phu xot ca chua, deep-fried tofu with herbs and tomatoes. Another popular recipe is bun bo hue chay, a lemongrass soup with tofu cakes.

Indian Cooking:

Indian vegan cuisine boasts a wealth of spices and flavours that make your taste buds tingle. At vegan Indian cooking classes, you will be guided through the preparation of classic dishes such as aloo bajji pakora, potato fritters, oralu chitranna, Kerala festival rice, malai kofta, cashew, and tomato curry with potato and tofu balls, kurma, mixed vegetables with grated coconut, and kara or palak chutney, tomato-tamarind, or spinach sauce.

In conclusion, vegan cooking classes offer an excellent means to explore new and exciting cuisines. With Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Indian dishes to choose from, you can take a culinary tour of Asia, right from the comfort of your kitchen. Whether you're a vegan foodie or looking to add vegan dishes to your cooking repertoire, the recipes we've introduced here will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings. Happy cooking!

Get ready to make your first pasta or pizza and don your apron at Italian cooking classes in Melbourne! Whether you’re a beginner or a more confident home cook in the kitchen, these three easy Italian recipes will help take your Italian food to the next level.

Otao kitchen's Italian cooking classes create a fun and casual environment for you to learn authentic Italian dishes from scratch. From homemade pizza to classic pasta making, these authentic dishes will make you feel like you’ve travelled to Italy.

Learning to cook is best when you’re with your favourite people! So, if you’re looking for exciting date night ideas, team building activities or birthday party ideas, gather your loved ones and learn how to create delicious meals together in the kitchen. In fact, these recipes are so simple and easy that you will want to recreate them at home! 

Roll dough and make pasta

Have you always wanted to learn how to cook your own hand cut pasta? Guided by an expert chef, you will learn the art of rolling dough and using your hands to cut the pasta  the ravioli. Once you’re finished, you can sit down and enjoy the delicious pasta you made, paired with our local Victorian wines!

Learn how to toss a pizza

With our Pizza making party, you can take home your handmade pizza dough, along with learning tips and tricks to make your own pizza at home! You will have the confidence to toss pizza dough in your kitchen and cook it up for your family and friends.

Immerse yourself in making Ragu Al Genovese pasta sauce

You and your loved ones will learn to make a classic Italian sauce for your pasta. Not only that but you also have an opportunity to watch a pasta making demonstration and make your own sauce but you also  learn how to cook these simple recipes so you can recreate them again at home!

Create a Pork Cutlet with Rocket Salad 

Under the guidance of experienced chefs, you will learn how to miranade your pork for its juicy main, crumb and cook these beautiful pork for your main meal.

You will love the chance to learn to make some favourite Italian dishes, including pasta from scratch. Immerse yourself in Italian culture through its food, and learn more than you would just eat these dishes at a restaurant. You will work with your partner or the chef and will sit down at the communal table to eat their delicious creations afterwards.

When the Covid19 pandemic closed hospitality, tourism and entertainment businesses in early 2020, our chefs, tour guides, hosts and others were stranded. Otao Kitchen’s cooking classes, demonstrations and food events were cancelled.

Otao Kitchen turned to social media, where Zoom, Instagram and Facebook Live took the place of kitchen demonstration bench in front of an audience. It was trial and error, as we learned which camera buttons to push, how to control the sound and new ways to present our menu. Almost two years now we are getting the hang of it, prompting Otao Kitchen special ways in cooking and teaching over the internet.

In the past 6 months, we found one trend that’s emerging is cooking along with a kit. We are selling boxes of ingredients that go along with the online recipe that’s being demonstrated on Zoom cook-along classes. We found that we can make up the revenue loss by in-person cooking classes, and offer something more than you can find on Facebook or YouTube.

Chef and owner Ha Nguyen says there are 3 types of classes. The first one is the old school approach, where the instructor simply show how the dish is made, and the video is posted online. This method is crowded as every media outlet.

The second option is live Zoom classes that require registration. These allow us to earn some money by charging a fee with a limit on the number of people on each Zoom call. These classes often allow attendees to ask questions as the cooking is going on, or to follow up once the dish is finished. We did well in this class over the pandemic.

The third option that is rapidly growing for us are classes where participants purchase a kit of ingredients and make the dish at the same time with the chef. This way guests can enjoy closer to real life experience without the need of going out! Otao Kitchen is making the kits from dumplings to ramen and more to come.

We also learn a new way to deal with online cooking classes’ challenges. At a cooking school, we have everything, but not all people have the right pieces of equipment. We have to deal with people cooking while their family is at home. People also want to cook while socialising. We worked to modify the recipe, so we can send the kit with flexible to make the dishes. Even our chefs learned how different these classes can be.

Additionally, chefs can’t cook as much as they might be in a live demonstration, because every step needs to be broken down for the camera. Everything is slower because it’s all online.

Our guests' expectations are rising, so we have to be better with the experience delivery. If someone is a chef, the guests expect their set to look like a proper kitchen studio. At the beginning of the pandemic, guests were more patient with clumsily produced content. Now our guests want to feel like they are getting their money’s worth, and we want to feel like we are giving them more value.

Safe to say, as a small business, your feedback has helped us improve dramatically. At last, we feel like we’re delivering customers’ expectations.

When I became a chef, the power and allure of the food market and grocery stores was so strong that my mum would need to visit them everyday. It was always a great thing that mum bought home - fruits and vegetables, sweet cake and candy and meat or fish. 

In the vegan cooking class you would want to explore vibrant spices, create beautiful sauces, work with fresh vegetables, tofu and beans. Otao Kitchen is specialise in Asian cooking so you can inspire your kitchen with  Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian dishes.

THE FOOD OF BALI INDONESIA

Balinese food celebrate Balinese people from the volcanic island of Bali using spices blending with the fresh vegetables, meat and seafood. Balinese food sometime refers to special regional Indonesian cuisine. It demonstrates indigenous traditions and other Indonesian regional cuisine, Chinese and Indian. Bali's culinary traditions are somewhat distinct with the rest of Indonesia. The people Bali celebrate their foods with festivals and celebrations.

INGREDIENTS

Spices such as Kaempferia galanga galangal, shallots, garlic, turmeric, ginger and Kaffir lime are used in Balinese foods. For example popular Balinese 8-spice is made with white and black pepper, coriander, cumin, clove, nutmeg, sesame seed, and candlenut. Other ingredients such as palm sugar, fish paste, and basa gede spice paste are used in everyday dishes.

Many tropical foods are rambutan, mangoes, mangosteen, bananas, jackfruit, rambutan, passion fruit, nangka, pineapple, salak snake fruit, duku, kelengkeng, wani white mango or Mangifera caesia, papaya, longan, melon, oranges, custard-apple, coconut and durian.

Steamed rice is commonly consumed in every meal everyday. Pork, chicken, seafood and vegetables are widely consumed. Because many Balinese follow Hindu tradition so they never or rarely consume beef.

If you keep it simple and buy ingredients at farmers’ markets, the food can pretty much take care of itself. Do as little as possible to the food; consider leaving out an ingredient and relying on instinct. We have a list of shopping streets and farmer markets in Melbourne for you.

Japanese restaurants are our favourite places to explore in Melbourne. Whether it’s a steaming bowl of ramen noodles, freshly sushi or a great kaiseki meal you’re after, you’ll find them on our Japanese restaurants’ list. Create a list of Japanese restaurants in Melbourne is a difficult task. We thought it is a little guide for Japanese restaurants’ lovers in Melbourne. Though they are NOT all the best Japanese restaurants in Melbourne and they are a great reference for you.

While there may be some stigma surrounding Vegetarianism, there shouldn’t be. Meat is actually only a very small part of our diets and on the whole, we eat predominantly vegetarian food. Think about it, do you ever just serve yourself a plate of meat for dinner? No. You accompany it with vegetables, salad, pasta etc. Who doesn’t love vegetables, fruit, nuts and rice?!

Travel to Vietnam experiencing culture, heritage and beautiful nature

An unforgettable experience

Travel to Vietnam Experience is one of the best adventure for many people. Simple thing become chaotic as crossing the busy streets in Hanoi.  You will face the amazing rock walls of the limestone islands from a junk boat deck in Ha Long Bay. You'll find quiet moments on top of Sapa hills amongst the local tribes. Or you can enjoy watching local vendors selling street food in Saigon. Exploring Vietnam will reward your senses.