Thanks to the people who have contributed to this week’s newsletter: Hayden Marks, Kate Anderson, Kerry Bradford, Sam Holman and Simone Boyd.
Sweet appleberry (Billardiera cymosa) by Melbourne Bushfood
[The material below is a summary of material from the Melbourne Bushfood website. Melbourne Bushfood sells a wide range of bush foods (both the foods themselves and the plants) which you can buy either online or at their shop at 49 Sparks Avenue, Fairfield, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm.]
The appleberry’s berries are textured like apples when unripe but go soft when ready to eat. They have an interesting mixed flavour reminiscent of stewed apples and kiwifruit. They can be used in jams, tarts, cakes or preserving.
The plant is a climber growing to up to 2 metres. In Spring, it produces clusters of bright, bell-shaped, pink flowers.
Plant in either full sun or shade, near a structure that it can grow up. Alternatively, grow in either a pot or a hanging basket. It is both hardy and drought tolerant. It can also tolerate poor soils.
The berries are ripe when they turn from green to yellow and start to soften. Gently pluck the berries off the branches, making sure not to damage the plant.
A related plant, with similarly edible fruit and a climbing disposition, is Billardiera scandens, commonly known as simply appleberry or apple dumpling.
Read about more bush foods on our website.
More on types of sugar
My article in last week’s newsletter on types of sugar generated quite a lot of interest.
Some people asked about honey versus sugar. This is actually a subject about which I have written before.
Kerry Bradford wrote in to ask where ‘raw sugar’ fits in. After consulting with Mr. Google, here is my response: “Different people seem to use the term ‘raw sugar’ to describe slightly different things but the most common usage is that it is ‘partially refined’ sugar, where most of the molasses has been removed but the sugar has not been bleached.”
More guidance on how to store your fresh produce
Lots of you read the guidance from CERES Fair Food from a few weeks ago, so I thought that I would link to the equivalent guidance recently produced by Sustainability Victoria.
And, here are the food storage charts produced by Merri-bek Council a few years ago.
CEO Anne Duncan on a year at Melbourne Farmers Markets
Melbourne Farmers Markets run the Alphington, Carlton and Coburg farmers’ markets. As you may or may not know, newsletter reader Anne Duncan became the CEO of Melbourne Farmers Markets about a year ago, taking over from Miranda Sharp. Anne recently wrote a short article reflecting on her year.
A local gin producer – Naught Distilling
Naught Distilling, from Eltham, make a range of gins, including australian dry, classic dry, overproof and sangiovese. The production process starts by using a base spirit distilled from wheat because wheat-based spirits carry lovely oils and create a velvety mouthfeel. This base spirit is then pumped into a 800-litre copper pot still, selected botanicals are added, and these botanicals are agitated and heated up in an overnight process to maximise oil extraction. The following morning, the mix is distilled and then condensed to create the gin.
You can buy their gin online. You can also buy their gin in many of the local independent stores, BWSs, Dan Murphys, Liquorlands and IGAs (see the specific stores on our website).
Naught also have a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, open Thursday to Sunday, where you can buy a variety of mostly gin-based cocktails plus food. 2/32 Peel Street, Eltham. Book your place..
On Saturdays, they run cocktail masterclasses. Book your place.
Read Naught Distilling’s page in our Local Food and Drink Directory. Welcome, Chris!
We now have pages for 5 local gin makes in our directory:
Community gardens that also have food swaps
It has been on my to do list for some time to cross-reference our local community gardens with our local food swaps. I have now done so and the result is an additional column on our list of the community gardens stating, for each community garden, whether or not there is a food swap at that location.
Of the 66 community gardens, 14 (i.e. 21%) also have food swaps. Putting this another way: of the 29 food swaps, 14 (i.e. 48%) are at community gardens.
Here are the 14:
The politics of food – some poems by Karen Throssell
Thanks to everyone who entered our random draw to receive a free copy of Karen Throssell’s collection of poems entitled Appetite – the politics of food. The winner of the lucky draw is Alicia Polakiewicz.
Commiserations to all the unlucky losers. But you can buy the book online for $25 from Karen’s website and pretend to yourself that you won!
The Melbourne ‘Local Food Connections’ community radio show
On next Sunday’s show (17th March), Ann Stanley will interview Fleur Baker on taking permaculture mainstream. Listen on 3CR (855 AM), 10-10.30am, by tuning into either the station (855 AM) or its livestream.
Podcasts of all previous episodes are available on their website, the latest being Thuch Ajak on The United African Farm (3rd March) and Jaimie Sweetman on unusual food plants to grow (25th February).
Which link was clicked most times in the last newsletter?
The most popular link in the last newsletter was my baking articles.
The most popular event link in the last newsletter was the 5th May workshop in Bundoora on basic grafting.
Not local but interesting
They will be celebrating 20 years of community support for local; organic growers, producers, makers and bakers. Join them for live music, fresh coffee, treats, fun for the kids and all the usual stallholders. At Coronation Park, 105 River Street, Healesville.
The Great Trentham Spudfest; Saturday, 4th May, 10am-11pm and Sunday, 5th May, 8am-10pm; free; Trentham
This will clearly be a major event, with events happening throughout the two days, some of which are free and unticketed whilst others you need to buy tickets for. The ticketed activities include a variety of farm and spud hut tours. There will be around 70 vendors.
The Outdoor Provedore; 3rd Saturday of each month, 8.30am-12.30pm; free; Mansfield
This is a new monthly market created by newsletter reader, and occasional contributor, Simone Boyd. It is effectively a farmers’ market, with all the stallholders being food or drink producers, and no re-sellers. At the Botanic Park end of High Street, Mansfield.
Regular activities over the coming week
Farmers’ and other food markets
Food swaps
Community gardens
- Thursday: Buna (Heidelberg West), Diamond Valley Library (Greensborough), Edible Hub (Hurstbridge), Fawkner Food Bowls – children (need tickets), SEEDs (Brunswick) and Whittlesea.
- Friday: Reynard Street (Coburg) and West Brunswick.
- Saturday: Bellfield, Links (Lalor), Macleod and Thrive (Diamond Creek).
- Sunday: Croxton / Marra Guwiyap (Northcote) , Fawkner Food Bowls, Pentridge (Coburg), Regent (Reservoir) and St Johns (Heidelberg).
- Monday: Macleod, Panton Hill, SEEDs (Brunswick) and Whittlesea.
- Tuesday: Doncaster Hill and Watsonia.
- Next Wednesday: Eltham Neighbourhood House, Macleod, Newton Street (Reservoir), Span (Thornbury) and Sylvester Hive (Preston) .
Upcoming face-to-face events – not cooking
Food forest gardening; Sunday, 17th March, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
Learn how to turn your patch into a low-work thriving, vibrant ecosystem that gives year-round harvests. You will learn: the philosophy of forest gardening; practical gardening skills and tips; ecosystem dynamics in gardens and soil; easy no-dig techniques to build healthy soil; plants for food and medicine; plants for soil health, mulch,bees and biodiversity; ways to eat and cook unusual and medicinal foods. Presenter: Leila Alexandra.
This meeting will discuss a proposed permaculture designed community garden and brainstorm ideas. There will be a walk through of the proposed site.
Learn about the cultivation and management of low-till market garden soils. Discuss agronomist soil testing and consulting, and thus the scientific aspects that underpin their soil practices. Participate in some garlic planting, using specialised compost and amendments. The workshop will include a guided tour of Caring Farms Co-Op.
Savour the abundant chestnuts, gourmet food, Devonshire tea, coffee, artisan beer and mulled wine. Explore the diverse range of stalls, including: roasted chestnuts; poffertjes; homemade cakes; sausage sizzle; local restaurants; mulled wine; coffee, tea and chai; local handmade crafts; and local produce.
Complete urban farmer (14 sessions); weekly sessions starting Friday, 10th May, 9am-3pm; $1,150 ($14 per hour); CERES.
The topics to be covered will include: permaculture; fruit production; soil preparation; beekeeping; composting, worm farming and fertilisers; vegetable growing; propagation; seed collection; pest & disease management; bushfoods & berries; chooks; and community gardens. Presenter: Justin Calverley.
Introduction to food photography; Sunday, 12th May, 1.30-4.30pm; $119 ($40 per hour); Warrandyte.
This class is for food bloggers, bakers, restaurant/cafe owners or anybody who loves food and wants it to look good. It will focus on taking great images of food using your own, or easily obtainable, equipment. It will cover such aspects as: choosing the right lens; choosing the right background, props and accessories; lighting; and software.
In March
- James Wall on growing vegetables in pots; Wednesday, 13th March, 8-10pm; free; Doncaster East.
- Mushroom foraging; Thursday, 14th March, 6.30-8.30pm; $85 ($43 per hour); Collingwood.
- Summer fruit tree pruning workshop; Saturday, 16th March, 9-11am; free; Bundoora.
- Grow your veggie garden; Saturday, 16th March, 10-11am; $25 ($25 per hour); Kinglake.
- Edible weeds; Saturday, 16th March, 10am-midday; $70 ($35 per hour); CERES.
- Growing nutrient dense food; Saturday, 16th March, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Jenny’s garden open garden; Saturday, 16th March, 10am-4.30pm; $10; Canterbury.
- The Herb and Chilli Festival; Saturday, 16th March, 10am-5pm; $27; Wandin.
- Victorian Whisky Festival; Saturday, 16th March, 11am-4pm; $93; Preston.
- Setting up a worm farm; Saturday, 16th March, 2-3.30pm; free; Edendale.
- Local Sustainability Fair (Ringwood); Sunday, 17th March, 10am-2pm; free; Ringwood.
- Food forest gardening; Sunday, 17th March, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Ricotta festival; Sunday, 17th March, 10am-4pm; $10; Thomastown.
- Jenny’s garden open garden; Sunday, 17th March, 10am-4.30pm; $10; Canterbury.
- The Herb and Chilli Festival; Sunday, 17th March, 10am-5pm; $27; Wandin.
- A visit to the garden of Angelo Eliades; Sunday, 17th March, 2-3.30pm; free; Preston.
- Permaculture garden tour (Tenderbreak); Sunday, 17th March, 2-5pm; $10; Dixons Creek.
- Mt Evelyn community garden opportunity; Monday, 18th March, 6.30-8.30pm; free; Mount Evelyn.
- Large suburban property tour; Wednesday, 20th March, 5.30-7pm; $5; Lilydale.
- Permaculture workshop with Matt Daniele of PEACE Farm; Thursday, 21st March, 2-4pm; free; Lilydale.
- CERES Harvest Festival; Saturday, 23rd March, 10am-3pm; $5; Brunswick East.
- Introduction to food photography; Saturday, 23rd March, 1.30-4.30pm; $119 ($40 per hour); Warrandyte.
- Urban property garden tour; Sunday, 24th March, 10am-midday; $10; Kilsyth.
- Introduction to permaculture; Sunday, 24th March, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Traditional wooden spoon carving; Sunday, 24th March, 10am-4pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Grow your own mushrooms; Wednesday, 27th March, 6.30-8.30pm; $160 ($53 per hour); Collingwood.
In April
- Heritage apple tasting; Monday, 1st April, 3-5pm; $20; Templestowe.
- Microgreens growing; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-midday; $80 ($40 per hour); CERES.
- Building healthy soils – cultivating fertility for veggie growing; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-1pm; $11; St Helena.
- Beginners backyard beekeeping; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-3pm; $220 ($44 per hour); CERES.
- Small space gardening; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-3pm; $115 ($23 per hour); CERES.
- The herbal apprentice (8 sessions); starting Saturday, 6th April, 10am-3pm; $995 ($21 per hour); CERES.
- SEEDs Communal Garden open garden; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-4.30pm; $8; Brunswick.
- Australian Distillers Festival; Saturday, 6th April, midday-7pm; $68; Abbotsford.
- Awara open garden; Saturday, 6th April, 2-3.15pm; $22 ($18 per hour); Pascoe Vale South.
- Edible weeds; Sunday, 7th April, 10am-midday; $70 ($35 per hour); CERES.
- Urban foraging 101; Sunday, 7th April, 10am-12.30pm; $90 ($36 per hour); Forest Hill.
- Australian Distillers Festival; Sunday, 7th April, midday-5pm; $68; Abbotsford.
- Kat Lavers on permaculture kitchen garden design; Wednesday, 10th April, 8-10pm; free; Doncaster East.
- Savvy tricks to make your food go the distance; Thursday, 11th April, 10-11.30am; free; Ringwood.
- Urban food gardening (8 sessions); consecutive Thursdays starting 15th April, 10am-2.30pm; $80 for all 8 sessions (Government-subsidised fee); Edendale.
- Urban food gardening (10 sessions); on Wednesdays, starting 17th April, 9.30am-1.30pm; $50 ($1 per hour); Brunswick.
- Morris Whisky tasting and masterclass; Thursday, 18th April, 6.45-9.30pm; $54 ($20 per hour); Croydon.
- Coffee around the world with the Islamic Museum of Australia; Thursday, 18th April, 7-9pm; free; Preston.
- Organic vegetable growing; Saturday, 20th April, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Composting workshop – from scraps to super soil; Saturday, 20th April, 10-11.30am; free; Bellfield.
- Autumn native plant sale; Saturday, 20th April, 10am-4pm; free; Eltham.
- Big Vegan Market; Saturday, 20th April, 10am-6pm; $9; Carlton.
- Big Vegan Market; Sunday, 21st April, 10am-6pm; $9; Carlton.
- Sustainable gardening (8 sessions); Tuesday, 23rd April, 10am-2pm; $650 ($20 per hour); CERES.
- Traditional wooden spoon carving; Saturday, 27th April, 10am-4pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Edible weeds walk; Saturday, 27th April, 10.30am-12.30pm; $30 ($15 per hour); Coburg.
- Edible weeds walk; Saturday, 27th April, 1.30-3.30pm; $30 ($15 per hour); Coburg.
- Foraging workshop; Saturday, 27th April, 1-3pm; $15; Ringwood.
- Home composting for beginners; Saturday, 27th April, 2-3.30pm; free; Edendale.
In May
- Introduction to horticulture and permaculture (15 sessions); starting Thursday, 2nd May, 10am-3pm; $1,050 ($14 per hour); CERES.
- Basic grafting; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-midday; free; Bundoora.
- Plants and permaculture; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-3pm; $145 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Kalorama Chestnut Festival; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-4pm; free; Kalorama.
- Mushrooms growing; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-4pm; $195 ($33 per hour); CERES.
Regular events
- Beekeeping workshop; roughly once a month on Saturdays, 1-4pm; $95 ($32 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Brewery tours; every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 3-4.30pm; $38 ($26 per hour); Abbotsford.
- Carlton aperitvio food tour; every Friday, 5-7pm; $139 ($70 per hour); Carlton.
- Cocktail making classes; various dates, times and costs; Richmond.
- Distillery tour and tasting; most Saturdays, 10.30am-2.30pm; around $30 ($8 per hour); Warrandyte South.
- Edible Forest tours; every Friday and Saturday, 11am-1pm and again at 1-3pm plus some other days of the week; $28 ($14 per hour); Dixons Creek.
- Eltham trails (walking food tour); various Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings; $65 ($22 per hour); Eltham.
- Flavours of Coburg food tour; 3rd Saturday of each month, 10am-1pm; $65 ($22 per hour); Coburg.
- Gin making masterclass; most Saturdays, 10am-1pm; $175 ($58 per hour); Nunawading.
- Plant to harvest; 1st Saturday of the month, midday-1pm; $5; Macleod.
- Gin masterclass; most Saturdays and Sundays, midday-1pm; $80 ($80 per hour); Eltham.
- Ratio Cocoa Roasters behind the scenes chocolate factory tour; various Fridays and Saturdays; $20 ($14 per hour); Brunswick.
- Spoon carving workshop; various Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-1pm; $130 ($43 per hour); Coburg North.
- Truffle workshop at Ratio Cocoa Roasters; 3rd Sunday of each month, 11am-1pm; $75 ($38 per hour); Brunswick.
- Wine tasting; 2nd Thursday of the month, 6-7.30pm; $33 ($22 per hour); Fitzroy.
- Wine tasting; various Saturdays and Sundays; $130; Fitzroy.
- Wine tasting; various Saturdays, 3-5pm; various prices; Northcote.
Upcoming face-to-face events – cooking
Passata party vol. 4; Saturday, 23rd March, 9.30am-3pm; $21 ($4 per hour); Coburg North.
Learn how to pick, clean, boil, mash, sieve and bottle fresh tomatoes. Relax and enjoy the music. They recommend only wearing red – or clothes you are happy to get dirty in. Presenter: Rita. Organised by NECCHi (Newlands and East Coburg Neighbourhood Houses).
Easter egg decorating; Thursday, 28th March, 6-8pm; free; Greensborough.
Learn how to create your own Easter egg decorations. All art & craft materials, plus the eggs, will be provided. Organised by Greenhills Neighbourhood House.
Join them to pickle excess rescued food over a cuppa. Organised by Greenhills Neighbourhood House.
Thai wok classics; Sunday, 21st April, 10.30am-2.30pm; $180 ($45 per hour); Panton Hill.
Learn to season and care for your wok and the difference between aluminium, carbon steel and cast iron woks. Learn to prep your wok station. Learn how to make a couple of pastes and stir fry sauces to create multiple dishes. The dishes to be made include: pad Thai (your choice of chicken, prawn or vegetarian); stir fried Asian greens with garlic; stir fried eggplant with a sticky chilli jam and Thai basil sauce; steamed jasmine rice; and a dessert. Presenter: Kelly Meredith from Under The Pickle Tree.
Macarons workshop; Saturday, 27th April, 2-4pm; $102 ($51 per hour); Lower Templestowe.
Tish will pass on her techniques for making macarons. Take an apron. A limit of 4 participants in total. Organised by Living And Learning @ Ajani.
Cooking with bean curd; Sunday, 28th April, 11am-1pm; $28 ($14 per hour); Forest Hill.
Be guided through various recipes that showcase the different ways that you can cook with bean curd at home. Then take home the dishes that you created (take your own container). Organised by Strathdon House.
Food for mind and gut; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-2.30pm; $150 ($33 per hour); CERES.
You will learn about foods that can help you to build and protect your gut microbiome and clear brain fog. You will also learn how to incorporate brain powering foods easily into your daily diet. All the recipes centre on nutritionally dense vegetables and are both gluten- and dairy-free. The sample menu includes: vegan cream cheese; oat + mesquite crackers; beet sauerkraut; chickpea salad with orange tahini; coconut + turmeric pie; and miso puffed balls. Presenter: Melanie Leeson, from Mettle + Grace.
FFS … ferment four staples; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-3pm; $425 ($85 per hour); Fitzroy North.
This is a fermenting ‘101’ class, where you will learn about salt, different preserving techniques, two of the most popular cabbage recipes (kraut and kimchi), a drink (kvass) and all about SCOBYs, with a focus on milk kefir. At the end, you will sit down for a chat and a bite to eat, including fermented foods and drinks to taste. You will take home everything you make during the class: kimchi, sauerkraut, milk kefir butter, milk kefir with SCOBY, whey soda and kvass.
In March
- Sri Lankan Banquet; Friday, 15th March, 6-8pm; $35 ($18 per hour); Kinglake.
- German easter baking with Claudia Loeber-Rab; Saturday, 16th March, 10am-1.30pm; $80 ($23 per hour); Camberwell.
- Easter cookie decorating workshop; Saturday, 16th March, 1-4pm; $55 ($18 per hour); Bayswater North.
- Croquembouche workshop; Saturday, 16th March, 1.30-5.30pm; $137 ($34 per hour); Lower Templestowe.
- Tomato passata making workshop; Sunday, 17th March, 10-1pm; $10; Watsonia.
- A taste of India; Monday, 18th March, 1-2.30pm; free; Mill Park.
- Thai chicken larb salad; Tuesday, 19th March, 10-11.30am; $28 ($19 per hour); Doncaster East.
- Dumpling demonstration and tasting; Tuesday, 19th March, 11.30am-midday; free; Greensborough.
- ‘No waste’ cooking demo and food recycling; Wednesday, 20th March, 10am-midday; free; Reservoir.
- Chinese cooking demonstration; Wednesday, 20th March, 6.30-8pm; free; Watsonia.
- Natural soda workshop; Wednesday, 20th March, 6.30-8pm; $110 ($73 per hour); Collingwood.
- Plant-based cooking demonstration and tasting with Frankie Cox; Thursday, 21st March, 6-7.30pm; free; Fitzroy North.
- A taste of China and Thailand; Thursday, 21st March, 7-8.30pm; free; Mill Park.
- Exploring fruit possibilities with Alice Zaslavsky; Friday, 22nd March, midday-12.30pm; free; Carlton.
- Urban Nanna’s scraptastic cooking; Friday, 22nd March, 1-2.30pm; $150 ($30 per hour); Croydon Hills.
- Entertain with ambrosia apples, hosted by Alice Zaslavsky; Friday, 22nd March, 2-2.30pm; free; Carlton.
- Cook Indian by the creek; Friday, 22nd March, 6.30-7.30pm; $50 ($50 per hour); Diamond Creek.
- Passata party vol. 4; Saturday, 23rd March, 9.30am-3pm; $21 ($4 per hour); Coburg North.
- Sourdough hot cross buns workshop; Saturday, 23rd March, 10am-1pm; $60 ($20 per hour); Bayswater North.
- Exploring fruit possibilities with Alice Zaslavsky; Saturday, 23rd March, midday-12.30pm; free; Carlton.
- BBQ-grilled plums, presented by Alice Zaslavsky; Saturday, 23rd March, 2-2.30pm; free; Carlton.
- The Willsmere Station Community Garden sauce day; Sunday, 24th March, 9am-3pm; $45 ($8 per hour); Kew East.
- Vegan desserts; Sunday, 24th March, 10am-3pm; $150 ($30 per hour); CERES.
- Sunflower cupcake decorating workshop; Sunday, 24th March, 11am-1pm; $100 ($50 per hour); Bayswater North.
- Rose cupcake decorating workshop; Sunday, 24th March, 2-4pm; $100 ($50 per hour); Bayswater North.
- Japanese fermentation; Wednesday, 27th March, 6.30-9pm; $120 ($48 per hour); Collingwood.
- Easter egg decorating; Thursday, 28th March, 6-8pm; free; Greensborough.
In April
- Sourdough basics; Wednesday, 3rd April, 6.30-8.30pm; $120 ($60 per hour); Collingwood.
- Mini master cooks – autumn fruits; Friday, 5th April, 10.30am-midday; $49 ($33 per hour); Forest Hill.
- Mini master cooks – colourful pasta; Friday, 5th April, 12.45-2.15pm; $49 ($33 per hour); Forest Hill.
- Feta, haloumi and mascarpone cheese making; Saturday, 6th April, 10am-4pm; $240 ($40 per hour); CERES.
- Indian cooking; Sunday, 7th April, 10am-3pm; $150 ($30 per hour); CERES.
- Pickling party and morning tea; Thursday, 11th April, 9.30-11am; free; Greensborough.
- Vegan chocolate making; Thursday, 11th April, 6.30-8pm; $80 ($53 per hour); Collingwood.
- The cook program (10 sessions); on Thursdays, starting 18th April, 9.30am-1.30pm; $50 ($1 per hour); Brunswick.
- Miso making with Rieko Hayashi; Saturday, 20th April, 10.30am-1.30pm; $150 ($50 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Sourdough bread baking; Sunday, 21st April, 9am-5pm; $220 ($28 per hour); CERES.
- Thai wok classics; Sunday, 21st April, 10.30am-2.30pm; $180 ($45 per hour); Panton Hill.
- Greek cooking; Saturday, 27th April, 10am-2pm; $150 ($38 per hour); CERES.
- Macarons workshop; Saturday, 27th April, 2-4pm; $102 ($51 per hour); Lower Templestowe.
- Fermenting at home; Sunday, 28th April, 10am-1pm; $120 ($40 per hour); CERES.
- Cooking with bean curd; Sunday, 28th April, 11am-1pm; $28 ($14 per hour); Forest Hill.
In May
- Milk kefir magic; Thursday, 2nd May, 6.30-8.30pm; $145 ($73 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- The art of pickling – winter veggies; Saturday, 4th May, 10am-midday; free; Hawthorn.
- Filled pasta making class with Piera; Saturday, 4th May, 10am-1pm; $140 ($47 per hour); Thomastown.
- Growing and cooking with bushfoods; Saturday, 4th May, 10am-3pm; $150 ($30 per hour); CERES.
- Food for mind and gut; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-2.30pm; $150 ($33 per hour); CERES.
- FFS … ferment four staples; Sunday, 5th May, 10am-3pm; $425 ($85 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Sri Lankan cooking class; Monday, 6th May, 6-8.30pm; $90 ($36 per hour); Surrey Hills.
Regular classes
- Al dente cooking (Italian); most Saturdays, 9am-1pm; $155 ($39 per hour); Chirnside Park.
- BBQ classes; various days and times; $135-150 ($45-50 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Bread making; various Sundays, 8am-2pm; $230 ($38 per hour); Abbotsford.
- Brunswick Kitchen (many different classes); various dates, times and prices but mostly 2½ hours long and $120; Brunswick.
- Chocolate making and pastry classes for children; various days, times and costs; Yarra Glen.
- Chocolate making workshop; various Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; $152 ($38 per hour); Blackburn.
- Cook to connect; various Tuesdays, 11am-1pm; free; Carlton.
- Cozymeal (many different classes); various dates, times and prices; Carlton.
- Kombucha brewing workshop; last Thursday of each month, 7-11pm; $49 ($12 per hour); Brunswick.
- Margot & Montanez (alfajores biscuits); various dates, times and prices; Camberwell.
- High rise baking; weekly on Fridays, 10am-1pm; free; Richmond.
- Nonna & Mum’s cooking class; 4th Thursday of each month, 7.30-10pm; $20 ($8 per hour); Thornbury.
- Otao Kitchen (many different classes); various dates, times and prices but mostly 3 hours long and $197; Abbotsford.
- Pietro Gallus (Italian); most Sundays, 9am-12.45pm; around $160 ($43 per hour); Warrandyte South.
- Rosa’s cooking classes (Italian); various Saturdays and Sundays, 10.15am-3pm; mostly $165 ($35 per hour); Bundoora.
- Sourdough bread workshop; roughly once a month on Saturdays, 9-11.30am; $185 ($74 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Taiwanese cooking; various dates, times and prices; Brunswick.
- Tea blending; various Sundays; $75 ($60 per hour); Brunswick.
- Truffle and praline workshop; various Wednesdays, 6-10pm; $183 ($46 per hour); Blackburn.
- The ultimate biscuit class; various Tuesdays, 10am-3pm; $162 ($32 per hour); Blackburn.