(Note: The Taste Festival also goes by its former name ... and colloquially amongst locals as 'Taste of Tasmania', or simply 'The Taste')
We have many notable names, and yet there is the opportunity to discover and begin that all important relationship with your 'own' secret food discovery. The word scale is very important ... it is not always about establishing a traditional business of supply and demand, of growth and export to Australia's other States or to the whole world. For these people it is about local, about bringing the market to their own front door, to the intimacy of the truly personal. This is Tasmania. This is also where a whole new breed of enterprise, passion and skill awaits the visitor with an interest in food.
The label fits. That label is ... 'a foodie's paradise'.
But you wanted to know about Cooking Schools and the preparation of good 'nom'?
Tasmania's 'names' comprise a distinguished list, many recognised nationally as being at the forefront of the pursuit.
THE AGRARIAN KITCHEN
A tranquil farm haven, guests can roam through The Agrarian Kitchen's five hundred square metre organic and heirloom vegetable garden, large berry patch and orchard to pick fruits and vegetables, and collect the beautiful dark brown eggs laid by the farm's eleven Barnevelder chickens for their cooking classes. Run by former Tetsuya protégé and ex Gourmet Traveller Food Editor, Rodney Dunn, The Agrarian Kitchen is one of the top cooking schools in Tasmania.
W: www.theagrariankitchen.com
What: Based on seasons but includes Pastry 101 class, Tomato Gluttony, Mutton Dressed as Lamb, The Whole Hog.
When: The Agrarian Kitchen's classes run throughout the year. For more details, visit their website.
Where: The Agrarian Kitchen, 650 Lachlan Road, Lachlan TAS 7140.
Cost: $285 per person. To book, call 03 6261 1099 or visit the website.
Inclusions: Apron, lunch, wine and the hands-on cooking class.
TOP OF THE WORLD – COOKING CLASS WITH WAJI
Held in the stunning, architecturally designed Eagles Eyrie lookout, located on a mountain top in the remote surrounds of the South West Wilderness, Top of the World cooking class with Waji is a new cooking class held in a unique location.
W: www.adventureforests.com.au
What: Six themed cooking classes with acclaimed Tasmanian chef, Waji. Guest chefs for the classes include Brian Ritchie (American Barbeque), Kiri Booth (Tasmanian Game and Tasmanian Crustacean), Scott Heffernan (Modern Australian), Varuni Kulasekera (Sri Lankan) and Van Lulitanond (Royal Thai)
When: Check the site for updates.
Where: Eagles Eyrie, Maydena includes transfers from Hobart City, Forestry Tasmania Office, 79 Melville Street, Hobart
Cost: $295 per person. $315 for Tasmanian Crustacean. To book, visit the website.
Inclusions: Hands-on cooking class, food and Tasmanian wine, Hobart-Maydena-Eagle Eyrie transfers, morning tea, apron.
RED FEATHER INN COOKING SCHOOL
Conducted by acclaimed Tasmanian Chef and rare breed pig farmer, Lee Christmas, the Red Feather Inn Cooking School is the most popular cooking school in the state's north. Here guests can forage, fish and hunt for ingredients for a feast, or take one of the school's butchery classes.
W: www.redfeatherinn.com.au/school/
What: Pork, Smoking & Curing, Summer's Harvest, Perfect Pasta and The Wild Larder classes;
When: 2012 season resumes in April - check the site for updates.
Where: Red Feather Inn Cooking School, 42 Main Street, Hadspen 7209 TAS.
Cost: Classes start from $195 per person. To book, visit the website.
Inclusions: Morning tea on arrival, an apron, tea towel, lunch & beverages and a recipe folder.
SYLVIA'S KITCHEN
Sylvia’s Kitchen Tasmania is based in the riverside city of Launceston in the picturesque Tamar Valley. It specialises in Cooking Classes with a Difference and Handmade Fine Foods by Sylvia Devlin who is a creative self-taught chef, gardener, photographer and writer with a great passion for food and cooking since she was a little girl.
W: www.sylviaskitchen.com.au
What: Spanish, Italian, Seasonal, Moroccan, and Your Choice ... get a group of friends and Sylvia will tailor-make a class.
When: Check the site for updates.
Where: Chef Sylvia Devlin’s own kitchen at Riverside, just 5 minutes from Launceston.
Cost: Starts from $145 up. To book, visit the website.
Inclusions: Small class numbers, interactive hands-on cooking in a friendly home-based environment, professionally produced notes, complimentary beverages and something delicious to eat at the end of it!
COMPANION BAKERY
Where better to learn the art of sourdough bread making than at the Companion Bakery, which has Australia's oldest restored working mill, Callington (circa 1832), just across the road. Featuring one of Australia's most accomplished bakers - Graham Pritchard, the Companion Bakery in the southern midlands town of Oatlands is a member of the Artisan Baker Association, and uses only the best organic flour and locally sourced ingredients.
W: www.companionbakery.com.au
What: Introduction to Sourdough and Advanced Sourdough Techniques.
When: Class information available on the website.
Where: Companion Bakery, 160 High Street, Oatlands, Tasmania.
Cost: $275 per person for the Introduction class and $545 per person for the Advanced class. To book, visit the website.
Inclusions: Baker's cap, lunch and sourdough starter.
WURSTHAUS KITCHEN
Set in Salamanca Place, Wursthaus Kitchen is a treasure trove for the best local and imported deli products, charcuterie, wine and cheese in the country, in addition to their celebrated monthly cooking classes.
W: www.wursthauskitchen.com.au
What: Autumn cooking classes.
When: Classes start from February. Class information is available on the website.
Where: 1 Montpelier Retreat, Battery Point, Hobart 7004.
Inclusions: All ingredients, lunch and wine.
SALLY WISE COOKING SCHOOL
Set in the picturesque Derwent Valley near the small township of Molesworth. The Valley is renowned for its abundance of high quality fresh produce and it is from the local growers and her own garden and orchard that Sally will demonstrate how to prepare delicious meals, preserves and more.
W: www.sallywise.com.au
What: Summer cooking classes.
When: Classes start from February. Class information is available on the website.
Where: 179 Wyre Forest Road, Molesworth, 7140.
Bookings: Phone 0408569423 or 02 62611336, email sally.anne.wise@hotmail.com
Inclusions: All ingredients, samples, embroidered apron, ample food and 'partakes'.
ALPS & AMICI
Run by acclaimed Tasmania chef Daniel Alps (formerly of Strathlynn fame), Alps & Amici offers intimate gourmet cooking demonstrations and cupcake and cake classes with Daniel and his wife Sally.
W: www.alpsandamici.com
What: Cooking demonstrations by acclaimed Tasmanian Chef Daniel Alps or hands-on cupcake classes with his wife Sally.
When: Classes start from March. Class information is on the website.
Where: 52 Abbott Street, East Launceston 7250.
Cost: Cooking demonstrations cost $95 per person and cupcake classes cost $85 per person. To book, call 03 6331 1777 or email info@alpsandamici.com
Inclusions: Food tastings, wine, recipes, a pantry bag (cooking classes). Hands-on preparation and decoration of cupcakes, cakes and recipes (cupcake classes).
TO THE PLATE - from Bottega Rotolo
Celebrate the traditional and embrace the new. Come and be inspired by classes that include trusted favourites and fresh contenders. Gain the confidence and skills to create wonderful food for your family and friends.
W: www.bottegarotolo.com.au
What: Chefs Silvana Taurian and Veronica Smith guide you in learning, but also the chance to try all the dishes while sipping on a glass of wine.
When: through to November 2012, schedule refreshed each 3 months.
Where: 141 Bathurst Street, Hobart, Tasmania 7000
Cost: From $50 - $120
To book call, call (03) 6234 9978.
Inclusions: Please enquire as session inclusions vary per class.
Redfeather is the only one of these schools which have accommodation - most are a visit facility, however each will advise on their favourite nearby places to stay.
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