Italian cooking classes - upcoming dates

The second half of the year is upon us and if you're one of those ultra organised people, you may be looking to organise gifts for upcoming special occasions , Thank You gifts or even school and community fund raising donations. Our gift vouchers are a very popular option and we're happy to mail a "real" version to you or the recipient. So much nicer when it's received in the mail.

Don't forget to pass on this list of upcoming classes which they can book into, joining a small group of like minded people.

They can attend solo or bring a friend. Or bring their own small group for a private class on a date to suit.

We're very flexible!

All classes include sitting together as a group to enjoy what we make in class. The joy of sharing a meal is the cherry on top. So whether it's about learning a new skill that will be put into practice at home or simply for the social aspect, our Italian cooking classes have been very popular over the years. Read our reviews and browse through the gallery. If you haven't yet followed us, regular updates are @olive.citrus.flour.katoomba and @FifthAveKat. Make sure you look at the Stories too.

Of course, the other aspect of our classes is knowing what you are eating. There's a lot of focus out there on better eating habits through supporting organic and regenerative farms, and rejecting the notion of having to have our fruit and veg perfect in appearance. The easiest way to do this is to eat seasonally. That ensures your fresh produce is being grown in your own zone – ie by small scale local producers.

If this excites you, save the date of the next Edible Garden Trail Blue Mtns, when inspiration is taken to a whole new level, and see what people are growing in their backyard – yes there are fruit and vegetables, but there's also poultry, bees, composting systems and more. This is literally what inspired me to replace the grass area on my property with easy to care for herbs, flowers and edible ground covers. Guests can't help but compare when they look at our yard side by side the neighbours.

All you have to do is stroll through these amazing spaces, chat with the owner and have a really good day. You may walk away with some free goodies or homegrown products you can buy for a fraction of their value.

Whoever said "time is money" clearly was not a homesteader, because you can never charge for the time involved!! The other saying "for the love of it" applies to these same growers. Knowing they are contributing to the health and wellbeing of their family and community is often what prompts them to keep on going. Now, don't you want to do your part by putting only good stuff into your body?! You can thank us in a few decades from now :)

With many of our guests coming into the Blue Mtns for our cooking classes, now you can do them in Leichhardt, where I grew up. Our new collaboration with Italian restaurant La Botte D'Oro in Sydney's Little Italy sees me going back to my roots. With a sell-out event on the first date we set in April this year, we'll be holding these classes on a regular basis so follow on social media for dates. What will you get from being there? Tips from the chef, all the way from Sicily; handy hints from the home cook (me); an electric atmosphere charged with excitement, Italian accents, music and wine. And the mouth watering food that is cooked in front of you. You really don't want to miss these special events.