11 cooking classes to master in and around Brisbane

Expect a little spice when you book a class at Spirit House. Located just off the Bruce Highway, two hours north of Brisbane and about 20 minutes inland from Noosa, this world-class restaurant and cooking school is a must visit. Oozing exotic charm, the alfresco restaurant is nestled among towering bamboo trees and a picturesque lotus pond and serves up food that’s well worth the drive.

If you love the flavours of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, but the daunting recipes and mile-long ingredients lists put you off, this cooking school is for you. Spirit House aims to demystify Asian cooking and instil a core knowledge of Asian ingredients and methods. Popular classes include “Asian Shared Table”, “One Bowl Wonders” and “Fast Fab Thai”, so there’s something for everyone.

As an added bonus, at the end of your four-hour session, you can wash the fruits of your hard work down with complimentary wine and beer.

Life’s A Feast Cooking School, Noosaville

This boutique cooking school is set up in a private house a few minutes away from Noosa’s Main Beach, just two hour’s drive from Brisbane.

The freshly-baked muffins on arrival give you a taste of owner and teacher Gail Rast’s cooking style – that is, effortless, wholesome and crowd-pleasing. Her class options take you on a global tasting experience, from authentic American barbecue cuisine to flavoursome Moroccan feasts and advanced pasta making.

But Gail’s teachings involve more than just a pinch of this and a sprinkle of that; at Life’s A Feast you’ll also score tips on menu planning, food and wine pairing, and food presentation. We guarantee your knife-cutting skills will go up a notch or four under her careful tuition.

Tamarind Cooking School, Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny

Take the lead from expert chefs in a beautiful rainforest setting at this Sunshine Coast delight.  The Tamarind Cooking School is all about teaching keen foodies the intricacies of different cuisines including French, Italian and Thai and the attention to detail and love put into each class is incredible.

Food lovers will never forget cooking up a storm while looking out over the retreat’s beautiful gardens and rainforest setting. Classes run for four hours and you’ll also receive lunch, wine and a Spicer’s apron to commemorate your experience.

The Golden Pig, Newstead, Brisbane

Take a funky warehouse in inner-city Newstead, add a plethora of highly respected chefs, and you’ve got Brisbane’s edgiest cooking school, The Golden Pig.

Run by ex-Rockpool and Spirit House chef, Katrina Ryan, these cooking classes in Brisbane are designed to be as fun as they are educational – always wrapping up with a delicious meal and a drink.

Boasting a variety of chefs specialising in a range of cuisines, there’s a class for all tastes and skill levels. Whip up a classic beef pho from scratch in the ‘Vietnamese Soups & Noodles’ class, trim beef like a real chef in ‘Kitchen Essentials’, or learn to use the whole pig in ‘Nose to Tail – Le Petit Cochon.

The Golden Pig also has a series of wine workshops and other food, wine and beer events, so there’s sure to be something that piques your interest.

Norman Hotel, Brisbane

With 20 years of meat-flipping under their belt, the Norman is the number one place to learn how to fire up the grill. Their two-hour Mastersteak BBQ cooking class (which comes with a two-hour drinks package!) is perfect for steak lovers who want to learn how to get the best out of their cuts of meat.

An interactive class run by the Norman’s team of experts, you’ll know your way around the grill in no time. Choose between public and private classes on a range of days and times.

La Macelleria Gelateria, Brisbane

If you’ve tasted gelato from La Macelleria, you’ll no doubt jump at the chance to learn how to make it yourself. You’ll learn all the gelato basics and then the team will take you through the production cycle, guiding you as you whip up all kinds of different flavours.

Each class finishes with an extensive tasting of all your creations and you’ll also be sent home with a takeaway pack to enjoy later.

Salt Meats Cheese, Brisbane and Gold Coast

If learning to cook like an Italian nonna is on your list of life goals, the Italian cooking classes at Salt Meats Cheese are for you.

No matter what your particular Italian culinary preference, there’s something for everyone at these cooking classes in Brisbane. Choose from classes with pizza, pasta and aperitivo focuses, each with lessons designed around fun over fuss.

Each course you make is paired with an Italian tipple to enjoy while you cook, and once you’re done you’ll get to relax and enjoy your delicious meal.

Taya Kitchen Culinary School, Auchenflower, Brisbane

If you’re looking for authentic cooking classes in Brisbane, you can’t go past Taya Kitchen. Run by Chef Taya, known to many Brisbane Thai fans as the chef responsible for the food at My Thai in Auchenflower, these classes will have you cooking amazing Asian feasts in no time.

Taya shares her incredible knowledge with each student and has something to offer everyone – no matter their skill level. You’ll discover traditional Asian recipes you can wow family and friends with and there are classes for both adults and children, as well as a new combined parent and child class.

Mecca Bah, Brisbane and Gold Coast

Covering everything from pizza and Mediterranean cooking lessons, to cocktails and kids, Mecca Bah is the perfect place for anyone looking to learn to cook and have fun at the same time.

Each class takes budding chefs through a range of incredible dishes and then the class sits down together to enjoy their creations. There are even prizes up for grabs for the competitive cooks among us, so sharpen those knives.

Putia Pure Food Cooking School

Led by well-known chef, Dominique Rizzo, Putia Pure Food is a concept cooking school, kitchen and pantry. In addition to its stellar line up of the best chefs in town, these Brisbane cooking classes also feature sessions held with nutritionists, gardeners and all sorts of produce and food lovers. If you’re looking for cooking classes in Brisbane with a difference, you’re in the right place.

Choose from classes drawing on different cuisines, teaching styles and skill levels, with each class designed to be fun and relaxed.

Vanilla Zulu, Teneriffe, Brisbane

This Teneriffe school for culinary adventures is run by Zimbabwe-born Melanie Townsend, who has travelled the world, learning about the art of food.

Perfect for both beginner and experienced cooks, Vanilla Zulu is all about giving you the tools to cook with confidence. Classes run two to four days a week, and the class list is extensive, with a focus on rustic Italian or vegan one day and pastries the next.

For those looking to set their sights a bit higher, Melanie also runs a six-week chef-skills course designed to help you cook like the pros.