Whether you relish a home-cooked feast or a cheeseburger from the Macca’s drive-thru, there’s no denying that eating is a daily pleasure for us mere mortals.
So, what better way to hone this legal high than to learn how to cook some of the most glorious meals from around the world? And with the secret to Italian bolognaise and the perfect French pastry available right here in our salty locality, there’s really no reason to hesitate.
Here’s our list of the best cooking schools on the Sunshine Coast, bound to get you plating up like a pro.
Spirit House
If you harbour a love for Asian cuisine (whether you’re already a competent cook or a two-minute-noodle chief), then a cooking class at Yandina’s Spirit House couldn’t be more perfect. The scenic venue in itself is enough to make the trip worthwhile, with a path winding through dense tropical gardens to a Thai pavilion that overhangs an ornamental lake where classes are held. Learn the secrets to creating the perfect dim sums, seafood delights, and flavoursome curries, while channelling the environmental Thai vibe. The four-hour-long group lessons can be booked for both morning and night for $150, and don’t require anything other than an enthusiastic attitude and a healthy appetite. When it comes to tryin’ out the best cooking schools on the Sunshine Coast, you’d be a fool to leave this one off your list. So don’t!
Where: 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina
Contact: 07 5446 8977
Freestyle Escape
This uber cool retreat not only offers a range of activities in art and meditation, but is especially known for its sassy cooking classes, and for good reason. With fresh produce on hand from the very gardens of Freestyle Escape, this culinary hub specialises in making food fun. With lessons running from 9.30am to 4.30pm at a cost of $195, the renowned “Master Chef Challenge” will have you in teams racing against the clock (and each other) to create your best ever meal using the tips and tricks you’ve just learnt. A panel of chefs then judge your meal, giving you further pointers, so you can truly learn from the best. And when the clock stops? You get to take a load off and enjoy the fruits of your labour, complete with complimentary drinks. Ummmm, yes please?!
Where: Simons Road, Dulong
Tamarind Cooking School
Located at the extravagant Spicers Retreat in the rolling hills of Maleny, Tamarind Cooking School is totes worth a mention. Offering a range of cooking classes from Thai to French to Italian, taught by award-winning head chef Daniel Jarrett, this is one big boy in the land of cooking schools. Lessons come in at $165 for the day, with an apron, lunch, and wine (hallelujah!) included. Or if you don’t have a whole day handy, two-hour lessons specialising in fast foods, desserts, breads, and dumplings can be booked for a rather cool $45. The school features state-of-the-art cooking stations and equipment, ensuring you get good bang for your buck, and to top it all off, you’ll find yourself slicing and dicing while overlooking luscious green grounds that lead down to scenic thick forestry. Not too shabby.
Where: 88 Obi Lane, Maleny
Contact: 1300 311 429
Life’s A Feast
This one’s for those aspiring chefs who want to learn how to cook from scratch, dude. Life’s a Feast is a culinary school devoted to igniting passion for food. Don’t be shy—this is the place to go if you want to create… and kick ass! Offering a world of cooking classes, Life’s a Feast has something for everyone, but it’s particularly known for the amazing course on creating pasta. It’s certainly a drawcard for those who have Robert De Niro coming to dinner. Lessons range from $150 to $175 depending on what meals are being whipped up, and you get a cute Life’s a Feast apron as a keepsake. Right on!
Where: 91 Lake Weyba Drive, Noosaville
Amytis Gardens
If being awarded “Readers’ Choice 2015” and 2016 by Australian Good Food and Travel Guide doesn’t spike your interest, then maybe cooking isn’t for you. Seriously, with recognition like that, Amytis Gardens, is a MUST if you’re hunting down the best cooking schools on the Sunshine Coast. Cooking coach, Matthew Conroy, has been experiencing a love affair with food since he was 17, and has made it his personal mission to share his passion with the world. Lessons on authentic Thai cooking are $150, and if you bring a guest they only have to pay $135. Oh, and if you DO drop in for a lesson, make sure you ask to learn the Tom Kha Kai Chicken Galangal soup recipe. There’s nothing like it.
Where: 51 Malones Road, Kiels Mountain
Contact: 07 5450 0115
Did we miss your fave among our round up of the best cooking schools on the Sunshine Coast? Let us know!
Cooking not your thing? Prefer to walk? We've uncovered the Prettiest Walks On The Sunshine Coast here.
Image Credit: The Alimental Sage