Combining travel with a cooking school experience is an increasingly popular holiday option but you don’t have to head overseas to do it.
Forget Thailand or Bali, head to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland instead for one of the best gourmet experiences you’ll find anywhere.
And this school comes with a luxury twist.
At the superb Spicers Tamarind Retreat, you get to mix luxury with leisure making it the perfect indulgence for a long weekend with a group of friends or a couple’s short break with a difference.
This sumptuous Spicers Retreat is set in the lush hills around Maleny and describes itself as having ‘rainforest riches with an asian flavour’ … surely the perfect theatre for your tastebuds to embark on a memorable culinary journey.
The experts chefs that Spicers Retreats are known for will guide you through both long and short courses cooking classes and demonstrations with the majority of produce used in the dishes sourced from the property’s own kitchen garden and meats and game supplied by regional providores.
LONG COURSE COOKING CLASSES
- Duration: Classes run from 11am-3pm.
- Inclusions: Apron, lunch, recipe book and wine.
- When: Every Saturday.
- Cost: $225 per person.
- Cuisine Options: As follows.
FRENCH
The French flair for cooking is celebrated in this class with artful integrations of the staples – wine, garlic and herbs – to bring out the fullness of signature dishes.
You’ll take part in creating mouth-watering;
- petite blanquette de poulet a l’estragon (tarragon chicken)
- pork rillette
- salad of lentilles du puy
- tarte de parisian
ITALIAN
The Italian focus is of course on pasta and generous sauces accented with the freshest ingredients and cheeses. This fun class includes making your own hand-rolled pasta.
- gnocchi con ragu al bolognese
- orecchiette con cime di rapa
- tagliata di manzo
- tortata di ricotta
THAI
The many flavours of the east come together in Thai cooking with aromatic herbs and spices, sweet and sour combinations. The chefs showcase recipes from both north and south Thailand in a beautiful setting overlooking lush gardens.
Menu 1
- geng jeut of fish and prawn
- roasted tomato and soft bean curd relish with spooning vegetables
- chicken glass noodle salad
- penang curry paste
- seared beef penang curry
Menu 2
- marinated pork and coconut soup
- tamarind coconut chicken lon with spooning vegetables
- hot and sour prawn salad
- green curry paste
- green curry of white fish
HANDPICKED RELATED STORIES…
- Pamper yourself at Spicers Potts Point
- Review of Spicers Clovelley Estate
- Take a long lunch in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
SHORT COURSE DEMONSTRATIONS
As a distinction from the cooking courses, the short course demonstrations are designed to seriously up your skills in a variety of cooking styles and methods that will guarantee the legacy you take home will elevate your culinary repertoire for everyone to enjoy.
- Duration: 2 hours (start times vary, check the calendar here).
- Cost: $45 per person, including tastings.
- Options: As follows.
BBQ
It is the quintessential Australian culinary experience – do it well and you become a legend of the art. In this demonstration, you will learn how to prepare and cook different cuts and styles to perfection.
- how to spatchcock & grill a chicken
- prepare your own beef
- rack of lamb
- chimmi churri sauce for chicken
- quick red wine sauce
- pesto
FAST FOOD FOR FRIENDS
Show off your experience to your friends and family with this fast food class offering a unique and interesting menu that is quick and easy to cook and will surely please the crowd.
- warm salad roasted carrots & yoghurt
- chopped green salad
- whole baked fish
- eton mess
DESSERT
The best way to finish your evening is with a sweet treat. Though classic and simple, desserts sometimes don’t turn out the way you’s hoped. Discover the chef’s hints and tips to deliver perfect desserts every time.
- vanilla crème brulee
- anglaise
- chocolate mousse
- crosatatta
BREAD
If you have every tasted homemade bread created by a domestic artisan in the kitchen, you know there is no substitute. This ultra practical course teaches you how to craft one of life’s staples perfectly, in various incarnations, every time.
- white bread dough
- focaccia
- pizza dough
- flat bread
- steam bun
- butter
DUMPLINGS
Is there anyone who doesn’t love them? Create unique dumplings with a variety of scrummy fillings and learn how to do pastry wraps and folding techniques.
- pot sticker
- steamed dumpling
- fried wonton
- shu mai
For more information and to check availability and dates for the cooking schools, click here.
