Cooking on the Bay
ProHighlights
- Hands-on classes capped at nine people, led by chef Tonya Jennings
- Every class ends with a sit-down meal and wine overlooking Port Phillip Bay
- Private group bookings for four or more, with a date of your choice for six-plus
About Cooking on the Bay
Cooking on the Bay is a small cooking school on Marine Parade in St Kilda, run by chef Tonya Jennings, who trained at Holmesglen and later at cooking schools in France. Classes are hands-on and capped at nine people, so everyone gets to chop, stir, whisk and plate rather than just watch. Menus shift with the seasons and lean on fresh local produce, with themes spanning French bistro cooking, Italian (always with fresh pasta), Spanish dishes such as paella and pintxos, Moroccan spices, Mediterranean food, desserts and a low-carb Cook Real Food program. Full-day classes start at 8.45am. The cooking runs through the morning, then the group sits down around 12.45pm to a four-course lunch of everything they've made, with wine, wrapping up around 3.30pm. Shorter four-hour classes finish at 1pm and also end with a meal and wine at the table. Aprons, knives and a printed recipe booklet are supplied, and you're greeted with tea or coffee and something baked in the kitchen. Bring a container or two, as there are often leftovers to take home, and wear closed shoes while cooking. For a birthday, a catch-up with old friends or a small work celebration, the festive Celebration of the Seasons class can be booked by private groups of four or more, and groups of six or more can ask for any date that suits. Partners and friends who don't want to cook can join for the lunch only, arriving around 12.30pm. The dining table looks out across Port Phillip Bay, and the school's library holds more than 3000 cookbooks and food titles to browse over coffee.
Inclusions & amenities
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What's Included
Frequently asked questions
How much do classes at Cooking on the Bay cost?
Four-hour half-day classes are $145 per person and full-day classes are $295 per person, including refreshments, lunch and wine. The Celebration of the Seasons class is $229 per person, and lunch-only guests pay $145 per person.
Can we book a private class for our group?
Yes. The Celebration of the Seasons class is available to private groups of four or more, and groups of six or more can ask Tonya about running it on a date of their choosing. Classes take up to nine people.
What happens on a full-day class?
You arrive at 8.45am, cook from about 9.45am to 12.45pm, then sit down to a four-course lunch with wine made up of the class's dishes. The day wraps up around 3.30pm, and you're welcome to linger over coffee.
What do we need to bring or wear?
Aprons, knives, pens and a recipe booklet are provided. Wear covered shoes in the kitchen (you can change at lunch), and bring containers and a freezer bag for any tastings to take home.
What's the cancellation policy?
Cancel more than seven days ahead for a full class credit or a date change; between seven days and 24 hours ahead you receive a 50% credit, and cancellations inside 24 hours receive no credit.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
David Calvo
3 months ago
I recently attended a Spanish cooking class led by Chef Tonya, and it was an absolutely incredible experience! Tonya is not only incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Spanish cuisine, but she also makes the entir…
Rhiley Lowe
4 months ago
I got gifted a sauces and broths lesson and it was an awesome experience. Tonya was a fantastic teacher and made the class a good mix of theory and hands on practice. I can highly recommend to cooking enthusiasts looking…
Laura Brady
4 months ago
Great day - good variety of dishes. All tasted amazing. Learned some new things!
Indran Purushothaman
5 months ago
WOW!! Simply the most enjoyable and rewarding cooking experience! To date, I’ve completed three classes — French, Spanish, and today Italian — and I’ve learnt so much along the way. Thank you Tonya Jennings! These int…
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