Cooking Classes in Melbourne's Inner North

Getting Cooking Classes Right

The inner north gives a group two quite different kitchens to cook in. Otao Kitchen sits on Victoria Street in Abbotsford, beside the Yarra east of Collingwood, with two licensed studios built for big parties. Brunswick Kitchen is a smaller school on Albert Street, Brunswick, where chef Tracey Lister teaches around one long communal table.

How the two schools differ for a group:

Style of class: Otao is fully hands-on, with pairs cooking at shared stations, while Brunswick Kitchen is mostly demonstration with guests asked to pitch in
Group size: Otao's two studios hold roughly 60 to 80 guests, and Brunswick Kitchen's team workshops start at ten
Menus: Otao teaches more than 20 cuisines, and Brunswick Kitchen leans on Hanoi and central Vietnamese dishes plus guest-chef classes
The meal: both finish with the group eating what was cooked, with wine poured for the adults
Price: Otao Kitchen from $159 per person, Brunswick Kitchen from $145 per person

Pick Abbotsford for a large team or a competitive format, and Brunswick for a closer, chef-led evening built around one cook's specialties.

Work Christmas parties of 60 or more: Otao Kitchen, which spreads big groups across its two studios
A MasterChef-style contest between teams: Otao's competition format, or a shared-cooking social night if the mood is gentler
A birthday dinner among friends: Brunswick Kitchen, where Tracey can build a private class around a menu or theme you choose
A launch, photo shoot or private dinner in your own space: Brunswick Kitchen's room can be hired for a half or whole day

Food, dietary needs and young cooks

Otao can arrange halal, vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free menus with notice
Brunswick Kitchen's Albert Street schedule includes plant-based Vietnamese cooking
Kids: Otao hosts private birthday parties for cooks aged 10 to 16, and Brunswick Kitchen runs kids' classes on some dates
Extras: Otao offers a guided walk past the Victoria Street grocers before the class, and both schools supply aprons

Answers to Common Cooking Class Questions

Which inner north cooking school suits a big work group?

Otao Kitchen in Abbotsford. Its two licensed studios take roughly 60 to 80 guests, and it runs team formats such as a cooking competition and work Christmas parties. Brunswick Kitchen's team workshops start at ten people, and it can move larger groups to other venues for an extra cost.

Do we actually cook, or just watch?

At Otao Kitchen everyone cooks in pairs through a full multi-course menu over two to three hours. Brunswick Kitchen classes are mostly demonstration, though guests are asked to help along the way. Both end with the group eating what was made.

What cuisines can a group choose from in the inner north?

Otao covers more than 20, from Vietnamese, Korean and Thai to Mexican, Greek and Native Australian menus, plus pizza, pasta and dumpling classes. Brunswick Kitchen focuses on northern and central Vietnamese food, with guest chefs teaching Italian filled pastas, Colombian, Portuguese and Mexican dishes.

Can kids join an inner north cooking party?

Yes. Otao Kitchen runs private birthday parties for young cooks aged 10 to 16, and Brunswick Kitchen schedules kids' classes on some dates.

Cooking Classes in Inner North

Find the Right Cooking Class in Inner North