5 minutes with Brookhaven Business: Origins Italian Cooking Classes
We are excited to share a conversation with residents Anna and Sara from Origins Italian Cooking Classes, who are bringing the flavours and traditions of Italy to Brookhaven. Their workshops are a fantastic way to connect with neighbours, family and friends, learn new cooking skills, and enjoy delicious food together. We had the chance to chat with them about their journey, their passion for Italian cuisine, and what makes their workshops so special. Let's dive into their story and discover what they have to offer!
Sara and I met at school 3 years ago when I relocated from Victoria for work, as a teacher. She was out at our school doing a cooking demonstration with the kids and we instantly hit it off. We discovered we had many things in common, among which, our love for food and cooking and from there Origins came about quite organically. We definitely met for a reason.
The difference between our cooking classes and many other establishments is that our classes are always 100% hands on, and everyone takes what they make home with them to share with loved ones. All participants receive a recipe book but it’s purely for reference after the class. Having the opportunity to see and do, above all else, is probably the best way to learn and understand exactly what your final product should look and taste like. That, coupled with the fact that at the end of the session we all taste what Sara and I prepare for the entire class, is what makes the experience so intimate, so much fun and so Italian. Our students come away feeling like part of the Origins family. includes offering guidance, providing information, and, when needed, connecting people to other community services—whether government or private. I find it fulfilling to be able to play a part in helping others navigate their challenges.
We try and source the very best authentic Italian when available even though we have some amazing Australian produce and products. Where possible, we try to support local business. Fresh is key as is simplicity in Italian cooking.
For Sara and I, cooking for those dear to us is one of the greatest acts of love. Cooking and spending time around the table are such an integral part of the Italian family way of life that we couldn’t help but put together a series of classes where we aim to recreate that family feeling in the Origins kitchen. It is our hope that we can bring many people together in the Brookhaven community to share in our authentic Italian traditions, unite around the table, and carry on the culinary traditions passed down to us by those dear to our hearts.
In Italian, we say that if you haven’t got any leftovers, you didn’t make enough! Keep the menu simple, with lots of flavour, well-matched Italian wines, plenty of laughs, and, above all else, the special ingredients: warmth and love. How could you go wrong?
We share a lot about ourselves in our classes, and love is such a big part of that experience—it is palpable. We openly share our stories with our guests: Sara, who migrated to Australia for love 7 years ago, and I, who relocated from Melbourne with my husband of 28 years, only to lose him 4 months later. We are Italian, and emotions always run high, but it’s what makes us who we are and what makes the cooking experience in our kitchen a very special one. We cook from the heart, as a tribute to those who came before us, and we hope to transmit that passion to our participants so they can recreate the experience with their special people.
Visit their website to explore their popular workshops and book your next culinary adventure today. https://originsitaliancookingclasses.com/
