Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Here

Getting Here

Where is Otao Kitchen?

Otao Kitchen is located at 393 Victoria Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067.

Search “Otao Kitchen” in Google Maps for directions directly to our entrance.

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How do I get there by public transport?

Take the Route 109 tram along Victoria Street. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, with a stop close to Otao Kitchen.

North Richmond Station, on the Mernda and Hurstbridge lines, is approximately a seven-minute walk away.

Victoria Street can be busy during lunch and dinner periods, so please allow a little extra travel time.

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Where can I park?

Metered street parking is available along Victoria Street, with time-limited parking in the surrounding side streets.

Parking restrictions vary between streets and are regularly enforced, so please check the signs carefully.

We recommend allowing extra time to find parking and arriving at least 10 minutes before your class. Once a class has started, late entry may not be possible.

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What are your opening hours?

Otao Kitchen is a booked cooking-class and event venue, not a walk-in restaurant. We are open when a scheduled class or private event is running.

Classes generally begin from 10 am, with evening sessions sometimes finishing as late as 10 pm. Sessions may operate seven days a week.

Please check our live class calendar for current dates and times:

otaokitchen.com.au/about/calendar.html

For enquiries, email hello@otaokitchen.com.au or call 0405 720 470.

We close for a short period over the festive season each year. Please check the calendar for the exact closure dates.

Our Classes and Experiences

Our Classes and Experiences

What are your Master Classes?

Master Classes are our core cooking experiences. Spend an afternoon or evening preparing and enjoying a complete menu inspired by one cuisine.

Our Asian classes include Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Dumpling Making, Indian, Indonesian, Malaysian, Street Food Asia and Vegan Cooking.

Our other global and Australian classes include Mexican, Spanish, Italian, Pizza, Greek, Middle Eastern, Latin American, Latin Desserts and Native Australian Cooking.

Most classes run for two to three hours and start from $159 per person. Our most popular experience is the Dumplings Party.

No previous cooking experience is required, and you will receive the recipes to recreate at home.

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What is the Confident Home Chef Program?

The Confident Home Chef Program is a series of themed workshops designed to build practical cooking techniques rather than focus on just one menu.

Workshops cover knife skills, beef and lamb, pork and game, poultry, seafood, plant-based cooking, pasta and dumplings, pastry and desserts, baking, sauces and fermentation.

Workshops start from $245 per person. You can attend one workshop or complete the full series.

This program is ideal for confident home cooks who want to strengthen their skills, understand professional techniques and become more capable in the kitchen.

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What is Cooking with the Stars?

Cooking with the Stars features special one-night-only masterclasses with well-known Australian chefs cooking alongside you.

Past and upcoming guest chefs include Nornie Bero, Emelia Jackson, Brendan Pang, and Tasia and Gracia Seger.

Classes start from $295 per person. These limited events often sell out and are not regularly repeated, so early booking is recommended.

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Do you offer corporate events and team building?

Yes. Corporate events and team building are some of our most popular experiences.

Team Cooking brings everyone together in the kitchen to collaborate, solve problems and prepare a shared meal. It is an engaging alternative to a traditional meeting room or function venue.

We can host approximately 60 to 80 guests across our two studios. We can also deliver larger off-site pop-up events for up to 1,000 guests.

Choose from any of the cuisines we teach, or add a market tour, cooking competition or facilitated team session.

Experiences start from $159 per person, depending on the format and group size.

Email hello@otaokitchen.com.au with your preferred date, estimated guest numbers and budget, and we will prepare a suggested menu and quote.

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Do you run market tours?

Yes. We offer food tours through the Victoria Street precinct in Richmond and at Queen Victoria Market.

Your host will guide you through the grocers, butchers, produce stores and herb stalls we regularly use. You will discover unfamiliar ingredients, learn how to select them and understand how they are used in different cuisines.

You will then return to the kitchen and cook with selected ingredients from the market.

Market tours are best combined with a cooking class as a half-day experience. Ask about this option when making your enquiry.

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Do you run classes for kids and teens?

Yes. Our School Holiday Cooking Program runs for approximately 2.5 hours and starts from $149 per participant.

Our School Programs with Asian Foods run for approximately two hours and start from $149 per student for organised school groups.

We also offer parent-and-child experiences, including the $347 Parent and Kid Bonding gift voucher. Private kids’ birthday parties are also available.

Young cooks aged 10 to 16 use real equipment in a commercial kitchen and must be able to understand and follow the chef’s safety instructions.

Guests aged over 16 may attend most of our regular cooking classes.

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Can I attend online or have ingredients delivered?

Yes. Our Online Cooking and Hamper classes include pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your door and a live 1.5-hour online cooking session.

Available experiences may include Vietnamese cooking, Japanese sushi and ramen, Chinese dumplings, Italian pasta, Mexican cooking and Native Australian bush foods.

Online Cooking and Hamper classes start from $197.

For teams working from different locations, Virtual Team Building Cooking runs for approximately 1.5 hours and starts from $795 per session.

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Do you support NDIS participants?

Yes. NDIS participants are welcome to join our scheduled cooking classes.

Our kitchen stations are designed for guests to cook in pairs. Participants attending with a support worker should book two places if they would like the support worker to cook alongside them.

When only one place is booked, the participant may be paired with another guest.

Please contact us before booking to discuss accessibility, support requirements or the most suitable class.

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Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes. Otao Kitchen gift vouchers are delivered by email and are valid for three years from the date of issue.

Gift vouchers can be used toward any eligible cooking class.

Available fixed-value options include $100, $207 for a Master Class and $347 for a Parent and Kid Bonding experience.

Gift vouchers are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

If your voucher has expired, please contact us. We may be able to offer an extension in exceptional circumstances, although an administration fee may apply.

Booking, Payment and Changes

Booking, Payment and Changes

How do I book and pay?

Book public classes online through our class calendar at otaokitchen.com.au/about/calendar.html.

Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your place.

For private, corporate and group events, a 50% deposit may be required to confirm the date. The remaining balance is due 14 days before the event.

For events held during November and December, full payment may be required upfront due to high festive-season demand.

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When are final numbers and dietary requirements due?

Final guest numbers and dietary requirements must be provided 14 days before your class or event.

You may reduce guest numbers before this deadline.

After the deadline, charges will be based on the confirmed number of guests or the number who attend, whichever is higher.

This is because ingredients have already been ordered and our chefs and support staff have been rostered.

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Can I change my booking date?

Yes. All requests must be emailed to hello@otaokitchen.com.au and confirmed by us in writing.

A voicemail or unanswered message does not confirm a booking change.

More than 14 days before the class, your first date change is free. Any additional date change is $49 per person.

Between 7 and 14 days before the class, the rescheduling fee is $49 per person and a valid medical certificate is required.

Within 7 days of the class, the rescheduling fee is $78 per person and a valid medical certificate is required.

All changes are subject to availability.

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Can I cancel and receive a refund?

Bookings are non-refundable if you change your mind or can no longer attend.

Every class is prepared and staffed according to the confirmed number of guests. Ingredients are purchased, workstations are prepared and chefs are rostered in advance.

You may instead reschedule under the conditions above or transfer your place to another person at no charge.

Please email us the replacement guest’s name and dietary requirements before the class.

Nothing in this policy limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

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Can someone else take my place?

Yes. You may transfer your booking to another person free of charge.

Please email hello@otaokitchen.com.au before the class with their full name and any allergies or dietary requirements.

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What happens if I arrive late or do not attend?

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the class starts.

Classes begin with important safety instructions, kitchen procedures and knife demonstrations. Once the class has started, we may not be able to admit late guests without interrupting the experience for everyone else.

Late arrivals, no-shows and guests who leave before the class finishes are not eligible for a refund or reschedule.

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What if I am unwell?

Please contact us as soon as possible.

Depending on when you contact us, you may be able to reschedule with a valid medical certificate or transfer your place to another person.

We recommend travel or medical insurance when booking a class as part of a holiday or interstate trip.

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What happens if Otao Kitchen cancels a class?

We may occasionally need to cancel or move a class because of low enrolment, chef illness, equipment failure or a venue issue.

If Otao Kitchen cancels the class, you may choose a full refund, a class credit or a transfer to another available session.

For circumstances genuinely outside our reasonable control, including fire, flood, severe weather, utility failure or government direction, we may transfer your booking to a future date.

Your rights under the Australian Consumer Law still apply.

On the Day

On the Day

What should I wear and bring?

Closed-toe, non-slip shoes are compulsory. For safety reasons, we may refuse entry if your footwear or clothing is not suitable for a commercial kitchen.

Please tie back long hair, avoid bulky jewellery and wear clothing you do not mind getting splashed.

We provide aprons, ingredients and all cooking equipment. Bring a suitable container if you would like to take any leftovers home.

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How much food and drink is included?

You will prepare a complete multi-course meal, not just a tasting. After cooking, everyone sits down to enjoy the food together.

For classes lasting two to three hours, approximately two to three glasses of wine may be served during and after the class.

Alcohol is available only to guests aged 18 and over with valid identification. We practise responsible service of alcohol and may refuse alcohol or participation to anyone who appears intoxicated. No refund will be provided in these circumstances.

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Can you cater for allergies and dietary requirements?

We can accommodate many dietary requirements when notified in advance. These may include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal options.

Please provide all dietary requirements when booking, or no later than 10 days before your class. We may not be able to accommodate late requests or dietary changes made on the day.

Our commercial kitchen regularly handles nuts, gluten, dairy, shellfish, soy, sesame and eggs. Although we take reasonable care, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment or that traces of allergens will not be present.

Guests with severe or anaphylactic allergies should email hello@otaokitchen.com.au before booking so we can discuss whether the class can be delivered safely.

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Do you have accessible facilities?

Our studios are purpose-built and include facilities for guests with disabilities. We welcome guests with access and support needs.

Full information is available on our Accessibility page.

Please contact us before booking if you have an access requirement, need additional support or would like to discuss how we can make the experience work better for you. We will provide clear and honest information about what we can accommodate.

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What if I am unwell on the day?

Please do not attend if you are unwell.

Email hello@otaokitchen.com.au as early as possible. You may transfer your place to another person at no charge or request a reschedule under our booking and rescheduling conditions.

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Will photos or videos be taken?

We may photograph or film classes for Otao Kitchen’s website, social media and promotional materials.

Please tell a staff member before the class begins if you do not want to appear in photos or videos. We will make reasonable efforts to keep you out of shot.

Partnerships, Careers and Community

Partnerships, Careers and Community

Do you take on collaborations and partnerships?

Yes. We work with food brands, producers, publications and organisations where there is a genuine fit with Otao Kitchen.

You can view examples of our previous partnerships on our Partnerships page.

To propose a collaboration, email hello@otaokitchen.com.au with a short outline of your idea, what each party would contribute and your preferred timeframe.

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Are you hiring?

We recruit chefs, kitchen hands and front-of-house team members throughout the year.

Current opportunities and application details are available on our Careers page.

Hospitality experience is helpful, but reliability, a positive attitude and a genuine interest in food are equally important.

We may keep strong applications on file for future opportunities, even when there are no current vacancies.

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Do you donate classes or vouchers to fundraisers?

We support a limited number of community causes each year, with priority given to organisations based in the Victoria Street precinct and the City of Yarra.

You can learn more about our community involvement on our Community page.

Please send requests in writing at least six weeks before your event. Include the organisation’s name, the cause being supported, the event date and how the donation will be used.

As a small independent business, we cannot approve every request. We generally do not provide donations for commercial events, for-profit activities or individual fundraising campaigns.

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How do I leave feedback or make a complaint?

Please speak with your chef or a team member during the session if something is not right. We would much rather have the opportunity to address the issue immediately.

After your visit, you can email hello@otaokitchen.com.au within 14 days. We aim to respond to written complaints within seven business days.

If you enjoyed your experience, leaving a Google review is one of the most valuable ways you can support our small independent business.

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Otao Kitchen Pty Ltd

393 Victoria Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067

hello@otaokitchen.com.au

Our Story

 

Our Story

What Does “Otao” Mean?

Otao Kitchen is named after Ông Táo, the Vietnamese Kitchen God, who watches over the family from the hearth.

We chose the name because the kitchen is where real life happens. When people cook together, they relax, talk and connect.

That is the heart of Otao Kitchen.

What We Do

Otao Kitchen is a hands-on cooking school and event space on Victoria Street, Abbotsford.

We teach more than 20 cuisines, led by chefs with strong cultural and professional knowledge. Guests cook the full menu, learn practical techniques and then sit down to enjoy the meal together.

Our two licensed studios host up to 60 guests, with larger off-site events available for groups of up to 1,000.

Otao Kitchen is Quality Tourism Accredited and has received back-to-back Gold awards for Excellence in Food Tourism at the Victorian Tourism Awards.

Our Journey

2014 — Chef Ha Nguyen opens Otao Kitchen with one kitchen, 10 seats and the Vietnamese food he grew up cooking in Hanoi.

2016 — The program expands to eight cuisines.

2018 — Food tours launch in Vietnam and Japan.

2020 — Online classes and ingredient hampers keep the business and team operating through the pandemic.

2021 — Otao moves into a purpose-built studio at 393 Victoria Street.

2022–2023 — Otao wins back-to-back Gold awards for Excellence in Food Tourism. A second studio opens at 389 Victoria Street.

2024 — MealFresh launches.

2025 — The Confident Home Chef Program begins.

2026 — Cooking with the Stars launches with leading Australian guest chefs.

Come and Cook With Us

I came to Melbourne from Hanoi, via New Zealand, and found a city filled with food from around the world.

People kept asking me, “Can you teach me how to cook it?”

My family had always worked with food, so I opened a cooking school.

Twelve years and thousands of guests later, I still believe the best way to understand a culture is to cook its food.

You do not need experience. You only need an appetite, a few hours and a willingness to get flour on your shirt.

Cook. Connect. Celebrate.

Come and cook with us.

Chef Ha Nguyen
Founder, Otao Kitchen

393 Victoria Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067
hello@otaokitchen.com.au