FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.