The best cooking classes in Melbourne

This legendary cooking school and online academy is for serious chocolate and pastry connoisseurs. Participants are in the capable hands of the extraordinary Kirsten Tibballs, who you may recognise from MasterChef Australia as the queen of all things sweet and delectable. Macaron and French pastry classes fill quickly, so it pays to get in early. From financiers to choux pastries, there's a whole world of treats that you can learn how to make from scratch, either at Savour's stylish HQ in Brunswick or online at home. Beginners, intermediate and advanced learners are all welcome, with each class suited to different levels of ability.

Address: 22 Wilson Ave, Brunswick 

Cost: From $410

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Brunswick Kitchen is an intimate cooking school that specialises in small-group classes (there’s a max of 12 people per session) for adults and children alike. At the helm is owner and chef Tracey Lister, who has more than 30 years of hospo experience under her apron and is the co-author of four cookbooks. Having lived in Hanoi for ten years, her expertise is largely grounded in Vietnamese cuisine, but she brings a wealth of general cooking knowledge, technique and experience to her hands-on classes. From preparing a Persian feast to mastering the art of making vegan gnocchi, there’s something to suit every taste bud. Kids will love the the sushi and dumpling-making classes, while adults can learn how to whip up everything from pasta to Penang dishes. 

Address: 1/288 Albert St, Brunswick

Cost: Adult cooking classes from $145

Find out more here.

Have you been looking for ways to give back to the community? We have just the thing to help you do that: OzHarvest’s Cooking for a Cause workshops. Perfect for a team-building outing with your colleagues or a wholesome friend catch-up, the three-hour sessions run from Monday to Friday at OzHarvest’s headquarters in Port Melbourne. During them, you’ll chip in to make a nourishing meal that will be picked up by a team of food rescue drivers and delivered to charities that support those in need. You’ll also learn zero-waste cooking tips and tricks, plus a few mind-blowing facts that are guaranteed to make you reconsider your own habits.

Address: 3/49 Bertie St, Port Melbourne

Cost: From $205

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Say hola to Lola, the petite powerhouse behind Cooking with Lola. Based at Mercato Centrale, her vibrant cooking school brings the flavours of Spain and Latin America to life. Expect hands-on classes in paella, tapas, ceviche, quesadillas and more, paired with sangria, music and plenty of laughs. Held on Thursdays and Saturdays, sessions are social, festive and consistently loved by locals. These cooking classes are also excellent for corporate team-building days. 

Address: 546 Collins St, Melbourne

Cost: From $190

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When Nellie Kerrison started the Relish Mama cooking school in 2009, all she wanted was to share her kitchen prowess with more people. Now, her labour of love includes annual culinary tours to Italy and beyond, and a wide range of classes covering everything from dumplings to barbecuing. Kerrison’s stress-free approach to cooking means that you won’t have to channel your inner chef at home – she’s more than happy to dish out advice based on what kitchen set-up you already have. And yes, they do corporate cooking classes, too.

Address: 81 Bay Rd, Sandringham

Cost: In-person classes from $130

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When chef Ha Nguyen founded Otao Kitchen back in 2014, his goal was to celebrate the rich and varied cooking experiences and techniques of Melbourne's immigrant multicultural communities. He named the Richmond business after Ông Táo, the Vietnamese kitchen god who many Vietnamese people regard as a family member. Here, you can try an array of food experiences and classes across cuisines from Thailand, Japan, India, Korea, France and more. 

Address: 393 Victoria St, Abbotsford 

Cost: From $117

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They say the best way to learn is by doing. Thankfully, the Centre for Adult Education’s (CAE) cooking classes are all about hands-on learning. Take part in comprehensive classes to master a new cuisine (they teach everything from French to Indian) or perfect your favourite recipes. You can even brush up on essential kitchen techniques, like basic knife skills and making your own bread from scratch.

Address: 253 Flinders Ln, Melbourne

Cost: From $255

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For more than 15 years, Spice Bazaar has been hosting popular cooking classes – first out of Seddon but now in its new digs in Maribyrnong. These are hands-on and super fun classes that give you all the skills you'll need to recreate these recipes at home. Learn to make Spanish paella and tapas, Japanese dishes like okonomiyaki and yakitori, Middle Eastern feasts, European cuisine and so much more. 

Address: 9 Randall St, Maribyrnong

Cost: From $180

Find out more here.