FAQs

What is Otao Kitchen?

Otao Kitchen offers cooking class, hens, bucks private party, team building and special event where you create a culinary masterpiece and memories with your friends and families. We love cooking with teams, families and adults, ages 10+. Opened in 2014 and look to expand, we look for new owners in different cities the opportunity to open their own kitchen. Otao Kitchen is truly the place to Learn. Share. Cook. Laugh.

How do I get to OTAO Kitchen Richmond – Melbourne?

OTAO Kitchen is located at 360 Victoria Street, Richmond, 3121 Victoria, Australia

Public Transport

We encourage you to travel on public transport. Please check with Public Transport Victoria (www.ptv.vic.gov.au or 1800 800 007) for train and tram timetables.

OTAO Kitchen is accessible via train to North Richmond Station and/or tram; route 109 (Box Hill to Port Melbourne) and route 12 (St Kilda to Victoria Gardens) go along Victoria Street – you should disembark at stop 22. Route 78 (Prahran to Richmond) stops at the corner of Church and Victoria Streets and is only one block from OTAO.

Car Parking

There is plenty of street parking available during the day on Victoria and surrounding streets, but most have a 1-2 hour parking limit. Saturday is free from 12pm. Please check the sign. Parking can also be limited depending on the day and time, so plan carefully.

Alternatively, you can park your vehicle in Victoria Gardens Shopping Centre where 2 hours and more parking is available at reasonable rates. OTAO Kitchen is just a short 5 minute walk from the Shopping Centre.

Bicycle

Bicycles can be stored securely at the rear of OTAO Kitchen’s property. Please enter via the Victoria Street main entrance and arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your class so the bicycle can be stored without interruption to the class.Bikes can be locked outside of Otao Kitchen as well.

What hours is Otao Kitchen open?

We host cooking events 7 days a week. You can reach us 0408 217 899 from 10am-10pm - we may be with customers however we will return your call within the day. Otherwise leave us an email and we will get back to you.

How do I reserve a date/time for my private event?

To reserve your date, you will be charged for a non-refundable deposit - 4 seats or 40% of the total spend. The balance is due 7 day before the event. Once the deposit is paid, you are locked in for your requested date and time. All event details are to be finalised 7 days before your party so we have ingredients and chef for you.

Will I get the recipes at my event?

We want the fun to continue at home once you leave our kitchen. Most of our events include online recipes for you to repeat at home. If your event does not and you’d like them, just ask!

BYO

Otao Kitchen offer limited wine, beer and sparking wines in your package. If you come to adult classes and adult/family events you can bring your favourite beer, wine or bubbly. No liquor please. For safety reason with fire and knife, no wine will be served in the first hour. We’ll have glasses and openers waiting for you!

Will I have my own cooking station?

All of our events are hands-on! Clients work together in teams of 2 to 4 for adults and 4 to 8 for children to create our culinary masterpiece. If you’re coming solo or with a plus one, get ready to meet some great new friends. If you’ve registered together with friends, we suggest arriving a few minutes early (no more than 10 minutes) if you’d like to be at the same table.

Do I need to be an aspiring chef to attend a cooking class?

Not at all! During our classes, we’ll help you discover your inner budding chef. Our talented chef instructors will guide you step-by-step through the featured menu and will ensure you stay on track to completing your very own culinary masterpiece.

How Our Gift Vouchers Work?

If you are looking for gift vouchers to your loved one or workplace, we have vouchers for all occasions - birthday, wedding anniversary, special thank you or any occasion you can think of to buy gifts. You can buy the gift as $100, $200, $300 so your friends and family can redeem on whatever class they want. Or you can buy them a specific class as a gift with or without date and time.

If you buy our cooking classes, tour and event voucher(s) after April 30th 2018, your voucher(s) will have Three Year Expiry Date and are guaranteed for One Year Post Purchase for the same experience. Please note the cooking class menu or event and tour program may still change details.

If beyond one year the experience price has increased, the difference will need to be paid directly to us upon booking. If beyond one year this experience is no longer available, the value of the experience can be used as Otao Kitchen Gift Credit. Please contact us by email hello@otaokitchen.com.au with your order number.

How long are the classes?

Most of our cooking classes in Australia are approximately 2-4 hours in duration depending on what cooking class you are booked on. Please check with the booking confirmation or classes details for example some cooking experience would have a market tour.

During this time your chef will go through the recipes and initial demonstration with you. You then get to work preparing the dishes yourself  or in small group for some dishes. You will have plenty tastings and foods as you go along.

How much beverages included?

Most our Australian cooking class will include 1-2 glasses of wine or equivalent. More wines or corkage can be purchased as extra. This depends on the venue. We always provide some refresher and no soft drink i.e coke. Please check with us for other drinks.

Do I need to bring anything?

OTAO Kitchen provides you with everything you need to conduct the class: apron, online recipes, cooking utensils and equipment. Simply bring yourself, a smile and a willingness to learn and have a great time! Limited storage is available for personal effects such as bags, coats, etc.

Can I bring my children?

Public Cooking Class in Australia participants must be 16 years of age or older. Participants 16-18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be responsible for their safety and conduct at all times.

OTAO Kitchen does not have child-minding facilities. Children who attend the premises must be participating in a class. We encourage you to book a private cooking class for your family from 6 people so the children can enjoy your company while cooking.

For Children cooking classes, kids will need to be taller than the standard kitchen benches unless we state otherwise. Parents are welcomed to join in with the same fees.

What should I wear?

You should dress comfortably, but ensure that clothing is not over-sized as to get in the way or become a potential safety hazard during class or in use of the kitchen equipment (e.g. baggy sleeves).

We recommend that long hair is tied back and that jewellery is kept to a minimum. Shoes should be non-slip and MUST be closed-in for safety reasons.

Ladies, we recommend you wear flat-soles. OTAO kitchen has the right to refuse entry to participants if they are not wearing appropriate footwear or clothing and no refund or change of class.

What time should I arrive?

We recommend you arrive 10 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Doors will be locked promptly at commencement of the class to ensure no interruptions and an enjoyable experience for everyone. Please plan your travel to OTAO Kitchen well so that you are not late.

What if I can’t make the class on the day?

You should contact us as soon as possible so that we know you cannot attend. Cancellation and failure to attend a class is subject to our booking terms and conditions .

What if I injure myself during the class?

OTAO Kitchen staff will take all precautions necessary in showing you safe and correct cooking techniques throughout the class. In the unlikely event you sustain an injury, our chefs and staff are first aid qualified and trained to respond to an emergency. Due diligence is of course required on your behalf whilst undertaking the class and in use of the cooking utensils and equipment.

I have a food allergy, what precautions do you take?

Generally we can cater to most food requirements. When making your booking please provide details of any food allergies or dietary requirements you have. While OTAO Kitchen takes every precaution to cater for dietary requirements and/or food allergies, it is not feasible to test every ingredient and utensil used by different people in preparing food to the level of being able to guarantee there will be no traces of an allergen substance present. We therefore recommend that you have suitable medication with you in the event of a reaction as OTAO Kitchen will not be held responsible or liable for any consequence as a result of your exposure to any food type or allergen.

What is the menu we cook?

You might book Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Bali, Vegan, French Vietnamese, Srilankan, Italian… The dishes will reflect whether we can get ingredients, substitutes, whether home cook friendly or our tastes. 

What is group size?

Please visit our location based product page. Generally, public cooking classes in Australia  are  8-20 people and corporate and private cooking classes are from 8-40 people depending on the venue.

How do I apply to work at Otao Kichen?

We want to work with the best so if that’s you and you want to get involved in an exciting and growing learning to cook industry.

Please submit your application here 

Cooking Instructor

You are responsible for the success of the cooking class from start to finish including managing the kitchen assistants, great customer service and creating loyal clients. You are energetic, up-beat, experience host who are comfortable engaging kids and adults in both public and corporate classes. A strong familiarity with the commercial kitchen and cooking/baking skills are required. Demonstrate cutting and chopping and making homemade pastas, noodles or dumpling will be second nature to you. You will work solo or you will lead a team for larger events. You must be able to manage a crew to make the event a success. Event management, classroom experience, kitchen and culinary, team management and customer service experience required.

Kitchen Assistant

You are responsible for supporting the instructor with the execution of the event. You are an upbeat assistants with great personalities who like to get their hands dirty. You must be able to work in a fast paced environment and communicate with all ages. The ability to follow directions and be a team player are a must in helping with class activities, preparing the recipe, keeping everything running smoothly, keeping the kitchen clean and organised and prep food as needed.

Event Sales and Marketing 

You will require experience in sales and business development. You will be able to create and develop relationships with clients, teams of event staff and exude a professional, well polished attitude. Managerial success in a fast paced environment by possessing the experience, ability, and knowledge to move the business forward financially while focusing on human capital. You are experienced in MICE and databases. There is a lot of autonomy in the role which will give you the freedom to own the role and build this business.

Work experience

Want to have the summer of your life? Apply to work for us. Candidates must be able to commit 2 days per week including one Saturday or Sunday. Great for students studying food, nutrition, education, hospitality and for those looking for a fresh and unique kitchen experience.

Can you eat the food?

Yes Yes Yes. You will be eating with your class mates. You can bring home if there are more foods. 

How about food tours?

Our food tours are small group visiting different venues or market on any given day. We don’t cancel the tour unless major things happen. Please bring appropriate shoes, clothing and an umbrella or a jacket in case it rains. Foods are limit to tastings with option to buy a meal unless we state meals included.

Can I bring outside food for my private event?

Yes, we do allow our clients to bring in outside food for parties so long as they do not contain NUTS. Often clients bring foods for their party and  a nominal charge will apply and means we’ll take care of the set-up and maintenance. BYOB is available and is free of charge.

Host a Fundraising Event

All you have to do is get your friends, family or work mates together and come ready for a great time at our private cooking party or scheduled classes if you ! The more you cook, the more you raise with 20% of the full price tickets directly to your organisation. Minimum number would be 10 or minimum spend would be $1,200 - whatever is greater. 

Please contact us for the date and marketing flyers before you promote the event as we are not responsible for the date and time.

Email us hello@otaokitchen.com.au with time/date and your event/ fund raising ideas

Charity and fundraising donation request?

We are committed to supporting local groups like neighbouring schools and non-profit organisations by giving out donation gift card $50 for fundraiser, charity auction or raffle. 

Please email us your event details and we will respond.