Thanks to the people who have contributed to this week’s newsletter: Chris Chapple, Ian Culbard, Judy Vizzari, Kate Anderson, Megan Goodman, Tara Behen and Vanessa Veldman.
Want to collect some chestnuts?
Last May, Judy Vizzari sent me an article about a visit that she had made to Mt. Dandenong. Whilst there, she had visited a property and collected chestnuts. In her article, she suggested that you also visit the property and collect nuts.
But the chestnut-collecting season (March and April) had finished so I decided to hold the article back until the beginning of this Autumn. Today, as I understand it, is the first day of the 2023 chestnut-collecting season so I have now published Judy’s article on our website.
Here is how Judy writes about her first sight of the chestnut trees: “I was impressed by a species of the beech family, Castanea sativa, commonly called the sweet or Spanish chestnut, for their enormous size and edible nuts. They spread their branches wide and are laden with spiny green balls (from golf to tennis ball sizes) that hang heavily on leafy boughs until autumn, when the leaves turn golden and fall and the balls brown before dropping to carpet the ground below them. It’s then that the spiny outer coatings split to reveal richly shining brown nuts packed within their protective coats.”
She then goes on to say: “We collected as many nuts as we wanted (for the low price of $4 a kilo), nuts that were fresh from the ground, shining and healthy, just right for roasting.”
Judy concludes with: “Visitors to Mt Dandenong can contact Sylvie by email (sylvie9274@gmail.com) so, why not make an autumnal visit (March to April) to Mt Dandenong, collect some chestnuts and absorb the calm and quiet of this beautiful place?”
Want a job?
John Howell Fruit 4U, who are based in Wandin North, are looking for fruit pickers. If you are potentially interested, call John on 0402 115630.
Ageing in rural Nillumbik
Open Food Network Australia and Fair Share Fare recently undertook a project to explore land management options for ageing landowners in Nillumbik. Read their final report.
More on vanilla slices
Ian Culbard has written in to praise the vanilla slices at Watsonia Bakehouse. “They also have award winning pies, some of the best we’ve tried, and their range of cakes and treats are always really good. Their cheesecakes (or any other cake) are a no-brainer when it comes to birthdays.”
For research purposes only, I (Guy) went to Watsonia Bakehouse for taste testing. They have two types of vanilla slice, one with icing and the other without. The one without icing was more creamy whilst the one with icing was more custardy. Both were yum.
Any recommendations for my further research?
Meg’s garden this month
Each year the vegetable garden is different. The tomatoes and capsicums have been very late this year and have suffered in the cool wet summer. The stone fruit has mostly been lost to fungal diseases and the collected fruit needs to be carefully disposed of. It’s discouraging. Yet I have a glut of berries, beans, zucchini and squash. Blueberries are abundant and look wonderful against the red-green foliage. The pumpkins are also rampant and developing well with a view to harvest in Autumn when the stems die back and start to brown and harden.
In between the Queensland Blues and Crooknecks are even a few melons of an indeterminate variety that have self-sown from the compost. The first of these is light green inside. It looks like a honeydew and it is sweet, but has a more robust flavour. I slice it thinly and serve it topped with a sprinkle of raw sugar that has been ground with 3-4 mint leaves in a mortar and pestle. This topping works well and can be made with all types of sugars and fruit, making a simple summer dessert.
Read some of Megan’s recipes on our website.
What seeds to plant in March
Here is a list (see the planting guide for more detail):
BrassicasBroccoli |
Other cool season veggiesBroad beans |
Leafy greensLettuce |
RootsBeetroot |
OtherChives |
Compared with February, some of the brassicas are now on the list, plus broad beans, rocket and spinach. The best months for planting brassicas are March and April. What I do is plant seeds in March so that, if they don’t germinate, I can either try again in April or cheat and buy some seedlings.
Note that planting potatoes in March is no longer recommended. I had a long chat with professional potato grower Elaine Pantorno, from Gembrook Potatoes, and she recommends only planting in August to December. Incidentally, Gembrook are at Eltham Farmer’s Market every Sunday and are a great source for potatoes to plant (or eat).
Read Helen Simpson’s article on growing brassicas and Robin Gale-Baker’s article on growing cauliflower.
Not food-related but interesting
Jane Edmanson recently visited the garden of Chloe Thomson in Hurstbridge. Watch this 8 minute video from Gardening Australia.
Some of our articles you might have missed over the last month
- An interview with Rosemary (Rowe) Morrow (by Ann Stanley).
- Cinnamon yam (Dioscorea polystachya) (by Jaimie Sweetman).
- Meeting some of Farmer Incubator’s popup garlic farmers (by Ann Stanley).
Joke (or pun) of the week
Submitted by Olaf Falafel: I’ll never forget that morning 42 years ago when my dad left the house and told us he was going to get milk. Mainly because he forgot to put trousers on. How we laughed.
Regular activities over the coming week
Farmers’ markets
- Saturday: Carlton and Carlton.
- Sunday: Alphington, Eltham and Heathmont.
Carlton Farmers’ Market, which is now on Saturdays, re-starts on 4th March.
Food swaps
- Saturday: Bayswater North, Brunswick East, Collingwood, Fitzroy, Heidelberg West, Mernda, Pascoe Vale, Rosanna and Warrandyte.
- Sunday: Blackburn, Montmorency and Regent (Reservoir).
Community gardens
- Thursday: Diamond Valley Library (Greensborough), Edible Hub (Hurstbridge), SEEDs (Brunswick) and Whittlesea.
- Friday: Reynard Street (Coburg) and West Brunswick.
- Saturday: Links (Lalor), Macleod, Reynard Street (Coburg) and Thrive (Diamond Creek).
- Sunday: Bellfield, Fawkner Food Bowls, Northcote Community, Pentridge (Coburg) and Regent (Reservoir).
- Monday: SEEDs (Brunswick) and Whittlesea.
- Tuesday: Panton Hill and Watsonia Library.
- Next Wednesday: Bellfield, Eltham Neighbourhood House, Macleod, Newton Street (Reservoir), Span (Thornbury) and Sylvester Hive (Preston) .
Not local events but interesting
The Edible Garden; Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th March, both 10am-4.30pm; $10; Mount Waverley.
Zofia’s garden system is almost fully sustainable, with solar panels and water tanks. Chickens lay eggs and provide manure, there’s a worm farm and ponds for edible water plants. She has beehives for pollination and honey and a diverse range of fruits and vegetables.
The cottage garden; Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th March, both 10am-4.30pm; $10; Glen Waverley.
Terry’s garden on a suburban block includes rose, citrus & other fruit trees, medicinal plants, herbs and native grasses.
Upcoming face-to-face events – not cooking
Rosé blending workshop; Friday, 3rd March, 6-8pm; $53 ($27 per hour); Fitzroy.
You will be guided through making your own rosé. Learn about the different methods of rosé-making as you taste your way through some wines, snack on some cheeseboards and make your own custom blend to take home.
Pruning apricot and cherry trees with Robin Gale-Baker; Saturday, 4th March, 2-4pm; $15; Macleod.
Pruning should happens in February/March while it is hot, and preferably breezy, so that wounds dry out quickly, preventing disease entering the wood. Learn how to prune using the ‘thinning’ method, which keeps trees small and manageable.
Gin making workshop with Gabrielle Callahan; Saturday, 4th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
Gabrielle will show you how to make your own gin from vodka, juniper and botanicals. Organised by Sustainable Macleod.
Fruit tree pruning workshop; Wednesday, 8th March, 10.30am-midday; free; Reservoir.
Angelo Eliades from Deep Green Permaculture will show you: how to assess your tree before pruning; where to make your pruning cuts; how much to take off; how to prune different types of trees; and how to keep your tools sharp and clean. Organised by DIVRS.
Yarra Seed Library Group; 2nd Thursday of each month, so next occurrence on Thursday, 9th March, 10am-midday; free; Carlton North.
There is a seed library at Carlton Library. In this monthly event, they (the Yarra Seed Library Group): sort and organise seeds; share and learn seed-saving, storing, and propagation techniques; and garden in some beds in the library courtyard. Everyone is welcome.
Cheese and wine tasting evening with Gaëtan from Long Paddock Cheese; Friday, 10th March, 6-8pm; $60 ($30 per hour); Fitzroy.
6 cheeses from Long Paddock in Castlemaine will be paired with 6 wines from ReWine to best pronounce and enhance the flavours of the cheese and the wine.
Sparkling wine masterclass; Saturday, 11th March, 3-5pm; $49 ($25 per hour); Northcote.
They will take you through 6 sparkling wines.
Preparing an autumn/winter veggie garden; Saturday, 11th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
March is the month to prepare your garden for planting in April. The workshop will cover site selection for various plants, soil preparation, choosing appropriate vegetables, how to plant for best results and when and how to harvest. Organised by Sustainable Macleod.
Autumn veggie gardening for beginners; Saturday, 18th March, 10-10.45am; free; Diamond Creek.
What can you plant now in Melbourne? Tips to set you up for success. Seeds or seedlings? Organised by Nillumbik Nursery.
Japanese tea ceremony; Tuesday, 21st March, 2-3pm; free; Camberwell.
The Japanese tea ceremony will be explained in detail. This will be followed by a ceremonial demonstration of how to correctly prepare tea the Japanese way.
Wine and cheese tasting masterclass; Saturday, 25th March, 3-5pm; $64 ($32 per hour); Northcote.
They will pair 6 wines with 6 cheeses.
The cultivation of functional mushrooms at home; Saturday, 2nd April, 1-4pm; $145 ($48 per hour); Fitzroy North.
This workshop will cover the cultivation and use of functional mushrooms, including turkey tail, shiitake and various ganoderma species. Presenter: Caine Barlow.
Autumn plant sale; Saturday, 22nd April, 10am-4pm; free; Eltham.
Organised by Australian Plants Society – Yarra Yarra, there will be sales of native and indigenous plants plus books. The plant sellers will include APS Yarra Yarra growers, Goldfields Revegetation Nursery, La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary Nursery, Sunvalley Plants Nursery and Vaughan’s Australian Plants.
Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair & Garden Expo; Saturday, 22nd and Sunday, 23rd April, both 10am-5pm; $14; Wandin.
The expo will feature a wide variety of plants showing off autumn flowers and foliage. Top growers from the Yarra Valley and beyond will display and talk about their plants. The guest speakers will include James Lucas, Jane Edmanson, Paul Kirkpatrick, Peter Teese, Stephen Ryan and Vasili Kanidiadis.
Urban food gardening (9 sessions); Wednesdays, starting 26th April, 10am-2pm; $80 for all 9 sessions (Government subsidised fee); Eltham.
This course is for people who love gardening and the outdoors, are considering a career in horticulture, would like to learn more about growing their own food successfully or who would like an introduction to aspects of working in the industry before choosing a specific course/study pathway. Organised by Living & Learning Nillumbik.
In March
- Complete urban farmer (14 sessions); weekly sessions starting Thursday, 2nd March, 9am-3pm; $895 ($11 per hour); CERES.
- Rosé blending workshop; Friday, 3rd March, 6-8pm; $53 ($27 per hour); Fitzroy.
- Whittlesea Garden Expo; Saturday, 4th March, 9am-3pm; $10; Whittlesea.
- Beginning beekeeping course; Saturday, 4th March, 9.30am-4pm; $252 ($39 per hour); Edendale.
- Weight management – a calorie density approach; Saturday, 4th March, midday-1.30pm; free; Eltham.
- Pruning apricot and cherry trees with Robin Gale-Baker; Saturday, 4th March, 2-4pm; $15; Macleod.
- Youth world food garden – fighting for a fair food system; Saturday, 4th March, 2-5pm; free; Preston.
- Gin making workshop with Gabrielle Callahan; Saturday, 4th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
- Whittlesea Garden Expo; Sunday, 5th March, 9am-3pm; $10; Whittlesea.
- Prevent and manage cancer with food; Sunday, 5th March, 11am-12.30pm; free; Fitzroy North.
- Heritage apple tasting; Sunday, 5th March, 5-7pm; $15; Templestowe.
- Introduction to horticultural permaculture (4 sessions); Every Tuesday for 4 weeks, starting 7th March, 10am-2.30pm; $60; Edendale.
- Worms are wonderful; Tuesday, 7th March, 1.30-2.30pm; free; Bayswater.
- Fruit tree pruning workshop; Wednesday, 8th March, 10.30am-midday; free; Reservoir.
- Healthy eating and nutrition; Wednesday, 8th March, 2.30-3.30pm; free; Doncaster East.
- Penny Woodward on knowing, growing and curing garlic; Wednesday, 8th March, 8-10pm; free; Doncaster East.
- Yarra Seed Library Group; Thursday, 9th March, 10am-midday; free; Carlton North.
- Cheese and wine tasting evening with Gaëtan from Long Paddock Cheese; Friday, 10th March, 6-8pm; $60 ($30 per hour); Fitzroy.
- Basic inoculation workshop; Saturday, 11th March, 10am-midday; $87 ($44 per hour); Alphington.
- Sparkling wine masterclass; Saturday, 11th March, 3-5pm; $49 ($25 per hour); Northcote.
- Preparing an autumn/winter veggie garden; Saturday, 11th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
- In-depth mushroom cultivation workshop; Sunday, 12th March, 10am-4pm; $165 ($28 per hour); Alphington.
- Mushroom growing 101; Wednesday, 15th March, 6.30-9.30pm; $160 ($53 per hour); Collingwood.
- Cheese and beer masterclass; Thursday, 16th March, 7-9pm; $64 ($32 per hour); Abbotsford.
- Mead making workshop; Saturday, 18th March, 9am-1pm; $100 ($25 per hour); Doncaster East.
- Autumn veggie gardening for beginners; Saturday, 18th March, 10-10.45am; free; Diamond Creek.
- CERES Harvest Festival; Saturday, 18th March, 10am-3pm; $10; CERES.
- Open Farm Day; Saturday, 18th March, 10am-4pm; free; Edendale.
- The Herb and Chilli Festival; Saturday, 18th March, 10am-5pm; $27; Wandin.
- Introduction to permaculture (2 sessions); Sundays, 19th and 26th March, 10am-3pm; $120 ($10 per hour); Coburg.
- The Herb and Chilli Festival; Sunday, 19th March, 10am-5pm; $27; Wandin.
- Japanese tea ceremony; Tuesday, 21st March, 2-3pm; free; Camberwell.
- Urban property garden tour; Tuesday, 21st March, 6-7.30pm; $5; Kilsyth.
- Food and mood (age group 50-64) (2 sessions); Tuesdays, 21st and 28th March, both 10.30am-1pm; $20 ($5 per hour); Fawkner.
- Bio Gro tour; Thursday, 23rd March, 9am-midday; free; Doncaster.
- Kevin Heinze GROW Autumn Fair (Coburg); Saturday, 25th March, 9am-3pm; free; Coburg.
- Kevin Heinze GROW Autumn Fair (Doncaster); Saturday, 25th March, 9am-3pm; free; Coburg.
- Edible forest tour; Saturday, 25th March, 10am-midday; $15; Dixons Creek.
- Make a wicking bed; Saturday, 25th March, 10am-midday; $21 ($11 per hour); Hurstbridge.
- DIY mushrooms; Saturday, 25th March, 10am-4pm; $175 ($29 per hour); CERES.
- Wine and cheese tasting masterclass; Saturday, 25th March, 3-5pm; $64 ($32 per hour); Northcote.
- Foundation to organic gardening course (2 sessions); Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of March, 10am-2.30pm; $75 ($8 per hour); Richmond.
- Tea and chocolate pairing experience; Sunday, 26th March, 2-3.15pm; $75 ($60 per hour); Brunswick.
- Ricotta festival; Sunday, 26th March, 10am-4pm; $8; Thomastown.
- Bio Gro tour; Thursday, 30th March, 9am-midday; free; Doncaster.
- Growing herbs for health; Thursday, 30th March, 7-8pm; free; Thomastown.
In April
- Preparing your winter harvest; Saturday, 1st April, 9.30-11.30am; free; Kilsyth.
- Australian Distillers Festival; Saturday, 1st April, midday-7pm; $70; Abbotsford.
- Setting up a worm farm; Saturday, 1st April, 2-3.30pm; free; Edendale.
- Youth world food garden – taking charge of what we eat; Saturday, 1st April, 2-5pm; free; Preston.
- Introduction to growing microgreens; Sunday, 2nd April, 10am-midday; $80 ($40 per hour); Preston.
- Edible weeds; Sunday, 2nd April, 10am-midday; $60 ($30 per hour); Brunswick East.
- The cultivation of functional mushrooms at home; Saturday, 2nd April, 1-4pm; $145 ($48 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Beekeeping practical hands on – intermediate class; Saturday, 8th April, 10am-4pm; $252 ($42 per hour); Edendale.
- Seila Hierk on Asian winter vegetables; Wednesday, 12th April, 8-10pm; free; Doncaster East.
- Yarra Seed Library Group; Thursday, 13th April, 10am-midday; free; Carlton North.
- Organic vegetable gardening; Saturday, 15th April, 10am-3pm; $120 ($24 per hour); CERES.
- Sustainable gardening (8 sessions); starting Tuesday, 18th April, 10am-2pm; $625 ($16 per hour); CERES.
Regular events
- Beekeeping workshop; roughly once a month on Saturdays, 1-3.30pm; $85 ($34 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Carlton aperitvio food tour; every Fridays, 5-7pm; $139 ($70 per hour); Carlton.
- Eltham trials (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.
- 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.
Upcoming face-to-face events – cooking
Fermenting vegetables for beginners with Jen Willis; Saturday, 18th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
Jen Willis will discuss the basics of fermenting vegetables and the difference between pickling, canning and fermenting vegetables to preserve them. Organised by Sustainable Macleod.
Cooking up culture with Yacob Manhua; Friday, 24th March, midday-1.30pm; free; Hawthorn.
Yacob Manhua will show you how to make papeda (aka sago congee or bubur sagu), which is one of the staple foods in Indonesian cuisine.
Milk kefir magic; Friday, 24th March, 6.30-8.30pm; $125 ($63 per hour); Fitzroy North.
They will show you how to easily incorporate this little SCOBY into your daily routine. You will make some milk kefir and then move onto flavouring, making butter, labneh, catching the whey and then making a naturally fizzy and gut-loving soda. You’ll go home with: a milk kefir SCOBY in a jar and ready to feed when you get home; a whey soda flavoured with fresh fruit of your choice to finish fermenting at home; milk kefir cultured butter; and an illustrated recipe card.
Passata party vol. 3; Sunday, 26th March, 10am-4pm; $15; 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. Organised by NECCHi.
Kraut M.O.B.; Wednesday, 12th April, 6.30-8pm; $85 ($57 per hour); Fitzroy North.
Choose between a red or white cabbage as your base and flavour with the plethora of herbs, spices and vegetables that they will provide. You will take home a jar of kraut plus all the accoutrements you need to make more.
Pasta making – gnocchi and fettucine; Sunday, 23rd April, 10am-1pm; $165 ($55 per hour); Mount Evelyn.
Rosa will show you how to make gnocchi using fresh potatoes with a mushroom sauce, and some fettuccine with a napoli sauce. You will then eat what’s been made for lunch. Organised by The Food School Yarra Valley.
Introduction to fermenting at home; Sunday, 23rd April, 10am-1pm; $80 ($27 per hour); CERES.
What you will learn: the basics to successfully start fermenting vegetables at home; ideas about creating your own fermented condiments; and how to use fermented products in day to day life. What you will get: vegetables that you will prepare in class and take home to ferment; samples of fermented products to taste in class; and notes and recipes. Presenter: Lauren Mueller.
In March
- French patisserie – macarons; Wednesday, 1st March, 6.30-8.30pm; $80 ($40 per hour); Lower Templestowe.
- Sour pickle M.O.B.; Friday, 3rd March, 6.30-8.30pm; $95 ($48 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Food preservation techniques; Saturday, 4th March, 10am-12.30pm; free; Wollert.
- Make a sourdough loaf; Saturday, 4th March, 10am-1pm; $50 ($17 per hour); Hurstbridge.
- Filled pasta with Piera; Saturday, 4th March, 10am-1pm; $140 ($47 per hour); Thomastown.
- Passata making day; Saturday, 4th March, 10am-1.30pm; $100 ($29 per hour); Bundoora.
- Food for mind and gut; Saturday, 4th March, 10am-2.30pm; $120 ($27 per hour); CERES.
- FFS … ferment four staples; Saturday, 4th March, 1-5pm; $365 ($91 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Vegan cooking Italian style; Sunday, 5th March, 10am-3pm; $120 ($24 per hour); CERES.
- Middle Eastern cooking; Thursday, 9th March, 6.30-9.30pm; $65 ($22 per hour); Balwyn North.
- Miso M.O.B.; Friday, 10th March, 6.30-8.30pm; $145 ($73 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Advanced sourdough bread; Saturday, 11th March, 10am-12.30pm; $80 ($32 per hour); Park Orchards.
- Passata making day; Saturday, 11th March, 10am-1pm; $90 ($30 per hour); Mount Evelyn.
- Sourdough hot cross buns and spicy kvass; Sunday, 12th March, 11am-2pm; $270 ($90 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Sweet treats; Sunday, 12th March, 6-10pm;$165 ($41 per hour); Bundoora.
- Making the sugo at Mister Bianco; Tuesday, 14th March, 6.30-9.30pm; $169 ($56 per hour); Kew.
- Recipes to reduce food waste; Wednesday, 15th March, 10-11.30am; free; Ringwood.
- Laksa lemak; Friday, 17th March, 5-8pm; $85 ($28 per hour); Panton Hill.
- Making jams, preserving fruit, chutneys and pickles workshop; Saturday, 18th March, 10am-1pm; $165 ($55 per hour); Mount Evelyn.
- French patisserie – fraisier; Saturday, 18th March, 10am-2pm; $135 ($34 per hour); Lower Templestowe.
- Fermenting vegetables for beginners with Jen Willis; Saturday, 18th March, 4-5.30pm; $15; Macleod.
- Sourdough bread baking; Sunday, 19th March, 9am-5pm; $190 ($24 per hour); CERES.
- Tomato passata making workshop; Sunday, 19th March, 10am-1pm; $20 ($7 per hour); Watsonia.
- Turkish cooking class; Sunday, 19th March, 2-4.30pm; free; Reservoir.
- Vietnamese egg roll – cooking class; Tuesday, 21st March, 10-11.30am; $28 ($19 per hour); Doncaster East.
- Gozleme and baklava workshop; Tuesday, 21st March, 6.30-8.30pm; $65 ($33 per hour); Balwyn North.
- Indian cookery demonstration; Thursday, 23rd March, 6.30-8pm; free; Watsonia.
- Cooking up culture with Yacob Manhua; Friday, 24th March, midday-1.30pm; free; Hawthorn.
- Dumpling making workshop; Friday, 24th March, 6-8.30pm; $75 ($30 per hour); Park Orchards.
- Milk kefir magic; Friday, 24th March, 6.30-8.30pm; $125 ($63 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Veggies in desserts; Saturday, 25th March, 10am-3pm; $120 ($24 per hour); CERES.
- Aheda’s Palestinian feast; Saturday, 25th March, 6-10pm; $65 ($60 per hour); Brunswick.
- The art of Thai salads; Sunday, 26th March, 10am-2pm; $160 ($40 per hour); Panton Hill.
- Authentic Mexican; Sunday, 26th March, 10am-3pm; $120 ($24 per hour); CERES.
- Passata party vol. 3; Sunday, 26th March, 10am-4pm; $15; Coburg North.
- Hot cross buns; Tuesday, 28th March, 6-9pm; $65 ($22 per hour); Hawthorn.
- Ladies day in the kitchen; Thursday, 30th March, 9.30am-midday; $35 ($14 per hour); Yarra Glen.
In April
- Kitchen basics; Saturday, 1st April, 10am-1pm; $165 ($55 per hour); Mount Evelyn.
- Sausage making with Frank; Sunday, 2nd April, 10am-1pm; $165 ($55 per hour); Mount Evelyn.
- Cake decorating using coloured fondants; Sunday, 2nd April, 1-5pm; $99 ($25 per hour); Surrey Hills.
- Men in the kitchen; Tuesday, 4th April, 6.30-9pm; $35 ($14 per hour); Yarra Glen.
- Kraut M.O.B.; Wednesday, 12th April, 6.30-8pm; $85 ($57 per hour); Fitzroy North.
- Kids school holiday cooking program; Thursday, 13th April, 10am-midday; $40 ($20 per hour); Hawthorn.
- Gnocchi making class; Sunday, 16th April, 10am-1pm; $140 ($47 per hour); Thomastown.
- Indonesian food experience; Tuesday, 18th April, 10.30am-1pm; $40 ($16 per hour); Yarra Glen.
Regular classes
- Artisan bread making; various Sundays, 8am-2pm; $230 ($38 per hour); Abbotsford.
- BBQ classes; various days and times; $135-150 ($45-50 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Beginners bread making; various Sundays, 8am-2pm; $230 ($38 per hour); Abbotsford.
- Chocolate making and pastry classes for children; various days and times; various costs; Yarra Glen.
- Chocolate making workshop; various Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; $152 ($38 per hour); Blackburn.
- Chocolate making workshop; various Saturdays and Sundays; $125 ($63 per hour); Box Hill North.
- Kombucha brewing workshop; last Thursday of each month, 7-11pm; $49 ($12 per hour); Brunswick.
- La Cucina di Sandra (Italian); various evenings, 6.30-10.30pm; $120 ($30 per hour); Richmond.
- Nonna & Mum’s cooking class; 4th Thursday of each month, 7-10pm; $24 ($8 per hour); Thornbury.
- Otao Kitchen (many different classes); various dates, times and prices but mostly 3 hours long and $197; Abbotsford.
- Rosa’s cooking classes; various Saturdays and Sundays, 10.15am-3pm; mostly $165 ($35 per hour); Bundoora.
- Beekeeping workshop; roughly once a month on Saturdays, 9-11.30am; $185 ($74 per hour); Brunswick East.
- Tea blending; various Sundays; $75 ($60 per hour); Brunswick.
- The ultimate biscuit class; various Tuesdays, 10am-3pm; $162 ($32 per hour); Blackburn.
- Wild fermentation class and edible forest tour; 1st Saturday of each month, 10am-1pm; $85 ($28 per hour); Dixons Creek.