Grown in Victoria’s Otway Ranges - Otao Kitchen 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.

Hawthorn - Boroondara Farmers' Market

• When: 3rd and 5th Saturday of the month
• Where: Patterson Reserve, Auburn Road, Hawthorn East (Melway 59 E4)
• Time: 8am to 1pm
• Cost: $2
• Contact: 9278 4444

Join a dedicated group of farmers and locals who are passionate about fresh fruits, vegetables, organic produce, meats. Talk directly with the producers and support small Victorian producers. Bring your kids. The market is supported by the city of Boroondara and Melbourne Farmers Market

boroondara.vic.gov.au/our-city/markets-restaurants/farmers-market

Carlton Farmers' Market

• When: 1st Saturday of each month
• Where: Carlton Primary School, cnr Palmerston & Rathdowne Streets
• Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm
• Cost: Gold coin donation supports school projects.
• Parking: Street parking available on Palmerston, Drummond, Rathdowne & Lygon Streets.

Carlton Farmers' Market is a place for locals searching for a way to get closer to the source of their food. Carlton Farmers's Market offer shoppers the unique opportunity to put faces to names of their favourite local producers, and to take home a basket of tasty, ethically grown groceries. More information Carlton Farmers' Market

Collingwood Children's Farm Farmers' Market

• When: 2nd Saturday of each month
• Where: St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
• Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm
• Cost: Gold coin donation supports projects at Collingwood Children's Farm
• Parking: St Heliers Street Carpark, visit the Abbotsford Convent.

Set in the pastoral oasis that is the Collingwood Children's Farm and open the second Saturday of each month, this gourmand's paradise offers a fleeting taste of country life in the heart of Abbotsford. More information Collingwood Children's Farm or Melbourne Farmer Market

Gasworks Farmers' Market

• When: 3rd Saturday of each month
• Where: Gasworks Parkland
• Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm
• Cost: Nil
• Parking: Parking is still free, but limited, visit the City Of Port Phillip website.

If all you sell is raspberries (or olives, or rhubarb, or honey), then you've got to have a pretty strong passion for them. Every third Saturday of the month, enthusiasm for high quality local produce runs like electricity at this Port Melbourne arts space, and your tastebuds will feel it too.

Grab a fresh, crusty baguette from Alison, then stock up on seasonal produce and a treat or two for later (handmade chocolate biscuits, anyone?).

Slow Food Melbourne Farmers' Market

• When: 4th Saturday of each month
• Where:  Abbotsford Convent, St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
• Time: 8.00am - 1.00pm
• Cost: Gold coin donation
• Parking: St Heliers St Carpark, visit the Abbotsford Convent.

Beneath the grey spires of the historic Abbotsford Convent is a market that champions an era when you know the farmer who grew your potatoes, and when tomatoes tasted like real tomatoes.

Open the fourth Saturday of each month, seasonal, organic food is king here, and learning about the origins of your produce is half the fun. Pope Joan's Matt Wilkinson can't get enough of the Warialda sausages and Jim's pork pies, and we fell hard for Take Me Home's Gippsland-made gnocchi.

Visit Slow Food Melbourne Farmers' Market website

Gleadell Street Richmond

When: Every Saturday
Where: Gleadell Street Market, Gleadell Street, Richmond
Time: 7.00am - 1.00pm
Cost: Nil
Parking:Parking is still free, but limited,

Every Saturday, Richmond's Gleadell Street is transformed into a bustling fresh food market, overflowing with seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, herbs, flowers and other gourmet delights. The original Richmond market opened in 1873 and the tradition of enthusiastic stallholders arriving as early as 2am to set up their stalls continues today.

http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Events/Shopping-and-dining/markets/Gleadell-Street/

Explore Asia through foods and cooking 

Whether your team member has been to Asia, are planning to, or simply love the great flavours of Southeast Asian and Japanese Cooking we invite your team to explore of Australia’s most popular cuisines right here Richmond Melbourne.

We have a focus on organic and local ingredients which are sourced from within Victoria Street and our own backyard where possible for your team building cooking.

Our training kitchen is designed with home cooks in mind, as we feel cooking in a commercial training kitchen is unrealistic! We want the skills and dishes you learn to be fully transferable to your own home. This is not a cooking show on TV – it’s your show and your way, an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Team building cooking and social cooking classes are intimate with a maximum of 8-16 people per class. This allows our chef to spend as much one-on-one time with you as possible. All classes are hands on – Get in and get your hands dirty! Experience the thrill of creating wonderful and tasty dishes that you have made yourself.

Corporate and group class bookings are also available and are perfect for team building, social club activities, new product launches or client and media events. Plus it is a great place for intimate private parties with both indoor and outdoor classes.

So whether you’re a competent cook or a beginner with basic skills, OTAO’s classes are designed with you in mind. Immerse yourself in the flavours and freshness of Vietnamese cuisine. Get creative, have fun and enjoy your experience with OTAO Kitchen!

Check Team Building & Group Cooking Here

Chef Kha Nguyen - Trainer Chef

Born and bred in Melbourne, Kha kept Vietnamese heritage and tradition. His family were refugees of the Vietnam War, fleeing to Australia to make a better life in early 1080s.

He is working to start his version of humble Banh Mi - Vietnamese pork roll food truck or shop. He knows he loves creations of good foods. He has a great master chef story and teaches our Vietnamese and Thai Cookings.

Chef Ha Nguyen - Trainer Chef - Founder

Chef Hà began his career in Hanoi local restaurants and the Hilton Opera Hotel before travel, study and work in Wellington, New Zealand. It was in New Zealand that Hà honed his classical French technique as an enthusiastic apprentice, working his way up to 5 star hotel kitchens.

Chef Hà has spent 6 years with Twelve Apostle Lodge Walk, Great Ocean Road, delivering a nourishing and fresh menu to his guests. He has enjoyed regional foods, the great Australian outdoors and international travel experience along the way.

With a love of balancing traditional fresh Vietnamese foods with modern dining settings, Hà has always believed that cooking, eating and sharing should be an experience, not just a meal. He incorporates the look, the feel, the mind, the soul and the taste into his food.

Chef Tamaki - Trainer Chef

Chef Tamaki was born and raised in Osaka. She has always had a passion for food and after high school completed a Bachelors degree in Agriculture at Kobe University.

After a few years working in Japan, Tamaki decided to follow her dream of becoming a chef. So she moved to Melbourne, studied English and then completed her chef’s qualifications at the William Angliss Institute. Since then she has worked for a number of Melbourne’s well known restaurants including the RACV Club, Mezzo and Lil Boy Blue.

Tamaki’s passion is introducing non-Japanese people to the foods and cultures of her native Japan.

Check Team Building & Group Cooking Here

You are look for Christmas Gifts Under $100? Experience gifts, gadget gifts or massage gifts. You have found an experience gift - our cooking experiences.

Get a great time in this the season for great venue, good foods, activity and entertaining and of course the infamous Work Christmas Party. If you are in charge of organising your office social calendar, no doubt you want to make sure it’s Christmas cheer and everyone enjoy what you plan for them. And of course you’ll want to avoid Christmas party hell.

Showcase the best foods that Asia has to offer at otao kitchen

Learn essential Asian spices, fresh herbs, local produce and special ingredients, combined with authentic methods passed down for centuries.  Hear stories with the magic of Asian cooking and it reveal to you. 

You can become more confident with Asian cooking, learning what works and what doesn’t, and how to make the best foods for you, your family, and your friends tastes. Our cooking class is a great way get more active in the kitchen and enjoy more freedom in your social life. We also integrate our classes with food tours and ingredients shopping, as well as giving you a taste of who we are and our backgrounds, so you get an experience of the culture of Asian cooking, not just the dishes. 

Give your old man a hug and laugh at his funny jokes. Dad loves cooking? It's Father's Day! Melbourne has much to offer your old man. Do some sight-seeing or visit a bar, or buy him some more gadgets. 

When is Father's Day?

Father’s Day is on Sunday 3 September and if you’re struggling for inspiration on what to buy Dad, a cooking class is a great idea. Let's step away from the gifting of gadgets.  Take a second to appreciate what our father's taught us in the kitchen.

We cooked and really enjoyed Mother's Day. It was so much fun to see how our family kitchen was shaped by a parent. This time around, be inspired with some things our dads taught us about cooking.  Surprise your dad with this weekend with the gift of cooking.

Check out cooking class on the side bar

Hanoi is very graceful and exotic capital city of Vietnam.  The city is well known with grand old boulevards and ancient temples and pagodas.  Locals works on their tai chi moves beside tree-fringed lakes. For all of its timeless charm it also changes quickly to a modern city today but the music is new and old to compliment with its culture in 36 hours travelling to Hanoi. She talked about food

Full articles can be from here

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/02/travel/things-to-do-in-36-hours-in-hanoi.html?_r=0

Friends,

Otao kitchen is sponsoring KOTO Vietnam with their event in Melbourne. You might have visited KOTO before or you will visit them on your next trip. We love you to come to their event in Melbourne this June to show your supports.

Here is their details:

Fundraising Event in Melbourne - Taste the Stories will take place at the "Moonee Valley Legend” on the 17th of June 2015.

Taste the Stories promises to bring the flavour of Vietnam, from the finger food menu to traditional dance as entertainment. Jimmy Pham, Koto Founder, AM together with current KOTO alumni will share their stories.

There are items for both silent and live auction to win:

1. A ticket for two people to enjoy a Vietnam Adventure Tour for 8 days valued $10,000 sponsored by Gourmet Safari.

2. Two Vietnamese cooking lessons with OTAO Kitchen valued at $135/each.

3. One voucher for 8 people to enjoy a 5-course sit down dinner in house sponsored by Tastes of Vietnam - a KOTO Alumni small private caterer.

4. A dinner voucher at a fine dining Vietnamese Restaurant valued at $200 sponsored by Dandelion Restaurant.

5. Two vouchers to shop online at Rice Kitchen - an Asian grocery in Melbourne valued at $150 each.

Please visit www.koto.com.au

Must Visit Koto Vietnam - Social enterprise restaurant and Hospitality and Cooking School in Vietnam

An indulgent paddock to plate cooking experience

This winter, OTAO Kitchen has transformed the entire 4-star Twelve Apostles eco lodge into a relaxing and friendly cooking retreat escape just for you. Everything you could imagine for the perfect cooking experience and getaway is right here. Fresh local produce and ingredients, commercial kitchen, beautiful dining room overlooking native forest plus stunning cabin accommodation.

Don't hide away this winter, escape with us to the Great Ocean Road. Our cooking class and retreat package is all inclusive at a very reasonable rate. Your package includes two cooking classes (dinner and brunch), two days one night accommodation in exclusive eco lodge cabins, all meals, snacks and drinks, wine and cheese tasting, tranquil surroundings, wireless internet and so much more. Friendly local visitors such as wallabies and kookaburras will enhance this experience. It’s the best winter escape value on the planet!

Ceviche Recipe

Serve 4 Cook 20 mins Level easy

INGREDIENTS

1. Cut your fish fillets into 1cm cubes. Put these into a bowl with your chopped capsicums and spring onions, then cover and place in the fridge until you need them.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the lemon juice, coconut milk, salt and chilli. Wash and dry herbs.
3. You can assemble the ceviche just before your guests are ready to eat. It’s important that you don’t leave the fish marinating in lemon juice too long as the acids in the juices will cook the fish and fish will be dry! 
4. Pour the lemon dressing over the fish mixture and immediately mix it up and serve in 3 minutes.
5. Divide the ceviche between your 4 plates, gently spoon over a little of the dressing and discard the rest. 
6. Sprinkle with herbs and extra virgin olive oil, freshly ground black pepper.

Melbourne Seasonal Fruits

Apples

Bananas

Figs

Grapefruit

Grapes

Melons

Oranges (Valencia)

Pears

Persimmons

Pomegranate

Strawberries

Tomatillos

Melbourne Seasonal Vegetables and Herbs

• Asian Green
• Basil
• Bay leaf
• Beans
• Beetroot
• Bronze fennel
• Brussels Sprouts 
• Cabbage
• Capsicum
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Chilies
• Chives
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Leeks
• Lettuce
• Marjoram
• Mint
• Onions
• Oregano
• Parsley
• Parsnips
• Peas
• Potatoes
• Rhubarb
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Shallots
• Silver beet
• Spinach
• Spring Onion
• Squash 
• Sweet Potatoes
• Thyme
• Tomatoes
• Watercress
• Zucchini

Melbourne Seasonal Nuts

• Almond
• Chest Nut
• Hazelnut
• Pistachio