Best Cooking Classes in Melbourne to Save You Money and Help You Perform Better at Work

Cooking classes in Melbourne are the essential ingredient you’re looking for to nourish your budget and feed your work performance! Discover how to whip up something delicious that will keep your bank account looking healthy with this exciting range of Melbourne activities. From learning how to cook plant-based meals to trying different cuisines from around the world, you’ll be improving your wellbeing with these beginner-friendly classes. Plus, those who eat better, healthier and more enjoyable meals have shown signs of being happier, more engaged and more creative at work. It really is a win-win.

It can be hard maintaining a positive attitude toward work while saving money. Often after a long day at the office, you just want to order takeaway or go out for dinner, and while that can be fun, it’s not always possible. With cooking classes in Melbourne, you’ll gain the culinary skills to make simple and delicious restaurant-quality meals, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. 

Take a look at our top picks for the best cooking classes in Melbourne that’ll save you money and help you perform better at work below!

Cooking classes: less money for more food!

The reality of the situation is that cooking classes aren’t - generally speaking - that cheap. That’s primarily due to the fact that learning the skills to cook delicious food at home is incredibly valuable. So before you go any further, it’s important to remember one thing: a cooking class isn’t so much a “splurge” as it is an “investment.” The Melbourne CBD is positively overflowing with amazing eateries, scrumptious cafes and delectable restaurants, but if you indulge the whims of your tastebuds every time you feel a touch of hunger, you’ll be penniless faster than an ATM with a tummy bug. That’s why it’s important to spend some time building your own cooking repertoire so you can enjoy the food you want to eat at a fraction of the cost.

Offering a huge range of cultural cuisines from dumplings to tacos, you can’t go wrong with a cooking class at OTAO Kitchen in Abbotsford. Learn how to roll sushi like a pro or make pizza dough from scratch at an Italian cooking class. Grab a friend to come along and you’ll get a discount too. These Melbourne workshops are also a great option if you’re looking for unique birthday party ideas or just a fun and social activity to try with your loved ones.

You’ll walk away with newfound knowledge of how to cook fresh, authentic dishes, as well as a collection of the recipes used, you also leave the class full. Now that right there is value for money.

Looking for more fun cultural experiences? Foodie Trails offers you the chance to learn how to master the art of Sri Lankan cooking with their hands-on, entirely delicious cooking classes. With a price tag of $120 per person, you need to be sure you’re getting value for money, and this kitchen experience is worth its weight in gold. You’ll walk away with a full belly and a recipe guide, however, this workshop places a strong emphasis on working hands-on and giving you practical methods of making authentic Sri Lankan food. It’s actually a bargain when you really think about it.

Food for thought… and productivity in the workplace

Although very much a beverage, kombucha workshops are gaining popularity as one of the many unique things to do in Melbourne. Not only are they on the cheaper side of our cooking classes and demonstrations, but they’re a perfect example of a class that lets you take your knowledge home immediately. 

Our kombucha classes send you home with not just the kombucha you made in the session, but also with the key ingredient: scoby. This rather visually unpleasant kombucha starter is essential to brewing your own delicious kombucha at home and is a sure-fire way to increase your gut health. Good gut health translates to less stress, a healthier immune system and even improved brain function. Smash a kombucha with breakfast instead of orange juice, and you’ll be on your way to "Employee of the Month" before you’ve even finished the first glass!

Enjoy the team building benefits of Melbourne cooking classes

We've established that learning how to cook delicious and nutritious meals is great for work performance but it can also be a fun way to bond with your colleagues. Thanks to our top cooking schools in Melbourne, you can get hands-on in these fun team building activities all while spending some time getting to know your workmates better, and maybe even their favourite foods too!

No matter which cuisine you choose for your group, there really is no going wrong. From hand-making Vietnamese spring rolls to whipping up the best street food Argentina has to offer, your team can learn some practical new skills for home and spend a few hours relaxing with colleagues. What a way to boost workplace wellbeing!

Shoutout to all our vegan cooking classes

Looking for plant-based cooking classes in Melbourne? We’ve got you covered! These workshops are ideal for not just people on a vegetarian/vegan diet, but for individuals who are time-poor but seeking healthy meal alternatives! Try out Heavenly Morsel's vegan Indian cooking class and create mouth-watering dishes from stuffed okra fry to vegan Palak Paneer. If spice isn't your thing, discover how to make some killer plant-based pizzas with Steph Schall in Hawthorn. You'll be ready to say goodbye to take-out after just a few hours with this class!

Switching to a vegan diet has been shown to improve kidney function and lower blood sugar, resulting in increased energy levels so you can wake up for work with a spring in your step and a legume for lunch!

One class that is ideal for saving money and making your food go further is this sourdough basics baking class! For just over $100, you’ll learn how to make beautiful fresh bread, and you’ll leave with everything you need to bake your own loaf the following day! Sourdough will also have you feeling healthier and more energised as - much like kombucha - the fermentation process that creates sourdough means it’s packed with probiotics that will aid in good gut health. Gut health has been linked to lower stress levels, reduced anxiety and improved cardiovascular function, so you can’t go wrong!

And for the workdays where you just need a bit of soul-soothing food as a pick-me-up, try out the plant-based comfort food cooking class and learn how to cook everything from 'cheesy' vegan lasagne to a choc chip cookie skillet. While it might not be the healthiest option, sometimes you just need a hug from the inside.

With so many great cooking classes in Melbourne to choose from, finding one that matches your budget and your lifestyle has never been easier! So get your work-life balance actually working for you without breaking the bank, and set yourself up to not only eat delicious food at home but to work smarter and more efficiently when it comes to time for the office.

Find out why Melbourne couples cooking classes also make perfect date night ideas here.