ClassBento money-back guarantee
Our mission is to improve mental wellbeing through our workshops and experiences. We curate our teachers and hosts carefully to ensure that they are of high quality.
That's why we provide a money-back guarantee*: If you're unsatisfied with this experience, just leave it at least 20 minutes before it ends, and tell us (the ClassBento team) the reason for your dissatisfaction within 4 hours of that time, and we'll provide you with a refund.
Fun Activities and Workshops in Sydney
Jewellery Making Class: Make a Silver Ring
4.9 (364)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Sydney & Chatswood
$160
Clay and Sip Pottery Class for Date Night and All Occasions
5.0 (948)
Runs regularly
Artarmon
$90 Now $65 - $80
Cocktail and Dumpling Making Class
4.9 (1,744)
Runs regularly
Potts Point
$99 - $115
Tufting Class for Beginners: Make a Tufted Rug
4.9 (600)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Chatswood & Sydney
$100 - $200
Pottery Wheel Throwing Class: Make a Ceramic Piece
4.7 (586)
7 years in business
Runs regularly
Burwood
$59
Tufting Workshop for Beginners
5.0 (314)
Runs regularly
Haymarket
$110 - $190
Glass Blowing Class for Beginners: Taster
5.0 (780)
Runs regularly
Marrickville
$182 - $265
Perfume Making Class
5.0 (205)
Runs regularly
Sydney
$148
Beginner's Kintsugi Workshop
5.0 (1,624)
8 years in business
Runs regularly
Sydney
$135
Silver or Gold Ring Making Workshop
4.8 (40)
12k followers
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$199 - $549
French Croissant Baking Class
5.0 (481)
14 years in business
Runs regularly
Maroubra
$220 - $240
Perfume Making Class: Make Your Own Signature Scent
4.9 (864)
12 years in business
Runs regularly
Marrickville
$150
Perfume Making Workshop
5.0 (113)
7 years in business
Runs regularly
Alexandria
$128
Introductory Wheel Throwing Workshop for Beginners
4.9 (57)
Runs regularly
Petersham
$105 - $119
Gold or Silver Ring Making Class
4.9 (98)
Runs regularly
Enmore
$275 - $499
Beginner Friendly 999 Silver Clay Ring Making Workshop
4.9 (110)
Runs regularly
Sydney
/ Mobile
$155 - $175
Resin Art Class: Cheeseboard and Coasters
4.9 (673)
Runs regularly
Drummoyne
/ Mobile
$125 - $130
Scent and Story Perfume Making Workshop
5.0 (39)
Runs regularly
Newtown
$40 - $249
Dumpling Making Class
4.6 (384)
Runs regularly
Potts Point
$65 - $69
Paint-A-Pot Workshop: Create Your Own Hand-Painted Ceramic
5.0 (28)
Runs regularly
Manly
$37
Dessert Candle Making Workshop
5.0 (224)
2 years in business
Runs regularly
Glebe
$118
Turkish Lamp Mosaic Class in Sydney
4.9 (1,575)
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$89 - $139
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Class
4.9 (87)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Castle Hill
$89 - $229
Messy Splatter Painting Experience
4.8 (65)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Chatswood
$60
Burrata and Bocconcini Making Class with Bubbles
4.9 (273)
12 years in business
Runs regularly
Rosebery
$99 - $135
Beginner Friendly Coaster Tufting Workshop
5.0 (68)
Runs regularly
Haymarket
$85
Wheel Throwing Pottery Class
5.0 (457)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Crows Nest
$99
Hand Building Workshop: Clay, Paint and Hands
5.0 (156)
2 years in business
Runs regularly
Annandale
$80 - $90
Neon Paint and Sip Workshop
4.8 (160)
Runs regularly
Chatswood
$59
Cocktail Candle Making Workshop
4.9 (62)
Runs regularly
Haymarket
/ Mobile
$92
Beginner Friendly Tufting 101 Workshop
5.0 (96)
4 years in business
Runs regularly
Chippendale
/ Mobile
$130 - $330
Floral Trinket Tray Resin Art Workshop
5.0 (61)
Runs regularly
Haymarket
/ Mobile
$85
Barista and Coffee Art Class
4.9 (132)
31 years in business
Runs regularly
Surry Hills
$160
Stained Glass Suncatcher Making Class
5.0 (238)
4 years in business
Runs regularly
Dulwich Hill
$165 - $175
Sourdough Baking Master Class
5.0 (45)
Only 2 dates left
Rouse Hill
$250
Taba Squishy Making Class
5.0 (19)
3k followers
Runs regularly
Drummoyne
$72 - $80
Bonsai Class for Beginners
5.0 (136)
Runs regularly
Redfern
$195
Greenhouse Terrarium Workshop
5.0 (413)
Runs regularly
Redfern
$115 - $185
Perfume Making Workshop
5.0 (35)
2 years in business
Runs regularly
Glebe
$138
Ceramic Paint and Sip Workshop
4.9 (66)
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$89
Tufting 101 Class: Create Your Own Custom Rug
5.0 (85)
Runs regularly
North Strathfield
$180 Now $160
Ocean Candle Making Workshop
4.9 (54)
Runs regularly
Haymarket
/ Mobile
$85 - $95
Full-day Oil Painting Workshop: Realistic Still Life in Oils
5.0 (55)
Only 2 dates left
Surry Hills
$185
Paint and Sip Class: Choose Your Own Artwork
4.9 (315)
Runs regularly
Chatswood
$55 - $59
Permanent Jewellery Experience: Forever Bracelet and Charms
4.9 (16)
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$129 - $179
Pressed Flower Frame Art Class
4.8 (28)
Runs regularly
Sydney
/ Mobile
$110 Now $92
The Art of Indian Cooking Masterclass
5.0 (142)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Rozelle
/ Mobile
$210
Gnocchi, Ricotta and Rosé Class
5.0 (58)
12 years in business
Runs regularly
Rosebery
$109 - $157
Make Your Own Terrarium Workshop
5.0 (135)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Petersham
/ Mobile
$70 - $100
Turkish Mosaic Lamp Class
4.8 (111)
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$69 - $149
Festa Italiano Cooking Class and Experience
4.5 (63)
Runs regularly
Potts Point
$99
Double-wicked Luxury Candle Making and Sip Class
5.0 (63)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Redfern
$110
Resin Art Class: Cheeseboards
5.0 (342)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Leichhardt
$130 - $150
Japanese Street Food Cooking Class
4.9 (235)
Runs regularly
Neutral Bay
$150
Modern Raden Workshop: A Japanese-Inspired Shell Inlay Craft
5.0 (36)
Runs regularly
Sydney
$130
Kokedama Workshop
4.9 (35)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Petersham
/ Mobile
$56 - $80
Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving Class
5.0 (29)
Runs regularly
Ultimo
$165 - $195
Hand Building Pottery Class
5.0 (36)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Crows Nest
$95
Cocktail Making Class with a Feast
4.8 (251)
Runs regularly
Potts Point
$99
Pizza Dough and Calzone Cooking Class
5.0 (28)
19 years in business
Runs regularly
Ryde
$125
Beginner Fresh Flower Arrangement Workshop
4.9 (40)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Crows Nest
$99 - $119
Resin Jewellery Making Class
5.0 (43)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Leichhardt
$160
Vegan Dessert Making Class: Ggot Tteok
5.0 (41)
4k followers
Runs regularly
Darlinghurst
$140 - $155
Beginner Soap Making Class with Natural Clays
4.9 (57)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Redfern
$99
Introduction to Perfume-making Class
4.9 (46)
12 years in business
Only 2 dates left
Marrickville
$89
Pottery Workshop: Make Your Own Unique Mug
4.9 (130)
6 years in business
Runs regularly
Surry Hills
/ Mobile
$90 - $124
Watercolour Painting Workshop
5.0 (50)
8 years in business
Runs regularly
Balmain East
$165
iPhone Photography Course
4.9 (115)
Runs regularly
Rushcutters Bay
$105
Resin Art Class: Trinket Tray and Coaster
4.9 (149)
3 years in business
Runs regularly
Leichhardt
$120
Smartphone Photography Class
5.0 (150)
18 years in business
Runs regularly
The Rocks
$99 - $109
Monet and Moscato Class
4.9 (90)
Runs regularly
Cremorne
/ Mobile
$65
Watercolour and Illustration Workshop
5.0 (44)
8 years in business
Runs regularly
Alexandria
$140 - $145
Looking for more options? Please message us or call us on 0488 839 505, and we'll quickly organise a class for your group
Discover more
More Sydney activities ideas
5 Cosy Indoor Date Ideas in Sydney You'll Want to Try
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9 Best Pottery Classes in Sydney You'll Love
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Winter Activities in Sydney Worth Leaving the House For
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Creative 21st Birthday Ideas in Sydney for Your Son or Daughter
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Everything You'll Learn at Sewing Courses Sydney
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Best Pottery Classes in Sydney to Try This Winter
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Ultimate Party Ideas in Sydney
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8 Environmentally Friendly Workshops in Sydney and Beyond
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Your Guide to the Best Local Pottery Studios in Sydney
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Find the perfect place to get started with clay at our local pottery studios in Sydney and who knows, you might have found a new hobby or passion in 2026!
Learn How to Sew in Sydney for Beginners
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Our sewing classes in Sydney are the perfect place to learn sewing for beginners, whether it’s dusting off your old sewing machine or picking up a new hobby.
7 Benefits to Trying Out a Photography Course in Sydney (2026)
By Kellie Maloney
See your city through a whole new lens and reap the benefits of photography courses in Sydney!
5 Things You Didn't Know You Could do in Rosebery
By Kellie Maloney
From rolling out ricotta ravioli to painting porcelain ceramics, what it lacks in size, the leafy Sydney suburb of Rosebery makes up for in experiences.From rolling out ricotta ravioli to painting porcelain ceramics, what it lacks in size, the leafy Sydney suburb of Rosebery makes up for in experiences. Get a taste of this charming area with five hidden local activities. ...
Different Types of Pottery Classes in Sydney
By John Tabari
Searching for pottery classes in Sydney? From wheel throwing to clay hand building, find out which ceramic class is perfect for you!
5 Creative Hens Party Activities Sydney Has to Offer
By Tiffany Fung
Turn your hens party in Sydney into a colour-filled celebration your besties will never forget, with fun activities from pottery and painting to cocktail making.
Cultural Cooking Classes in Sydney You Need to Know About
By Jana Lepojevic
Dish up overflowing bowls of rustic Italian pasta or roll delicious sushi at cooking classes in Sydney, and learn about their different cultures through food.
Top Dance Classes in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
If you've been daydreaming about stepping into a dance studio and unleashing your inner dancer, now is the perfect time to make it a reality!If you've been daydreaming about stepping into a dance studio and unleashing your inner dancer, now is the perfect time to make it a reality! Whether you're looking to improve your fitness, meet new people, or simply have a great time, dancing has something special to offer. Get ready to discover the joy and freedom of moving to the beat. There are so many Sydney dance classes for first timers to try, from beginners courses to more intermediate and advanced level classes. There are even fun dance classes for kids. So, if you’re just starting out, it’s only going to get more exciting and fun from here! If you're a little unsure about dipping your toes into the world of dance or haven't yet discovered which dance style speaks to you, we've got your back! In this guide, we will walk you through all the different types of dance classes that you can sign up for this year. From ballet to salsa, hip-hop to contemporary, there's something for everyone. We want you to explore your options and find the class that truly ignites your passion. Check out some of these courses: • Beginner’s Dance Class with Rhiannon Blanche This one hour class will teach you the basics of Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical or Contemporary Dance, but don’t be intimidated. Rhiannon has a gift for making dance fun for all ages. The class can accommodate up to 18 students, and it’s recommended that you wear tight, flexible clothes and appropriate footwear (socks, ballet shoes, or Jazz shoes). The class is in Curl Curl, but Rhiannon can also travel up fo 30km to meet you where you’re most comfortable! • Rumba Fit Dance Class If you’re looking for something more akin to an extreme workout class, head on over to Alexandria for a fun Rumba class. Rumba is a style of Colombian dance that pulls from Champeta, Reggaeton, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Africano, and Samba, and if you don’t know what any of those are, don’t worry about it. Just know that it’s upbeat, fast-paced, and lots and lots of fun. The class will start out with slowed-down instruction and then you’ll get a chance to show your stuff and work up a sweat. This one-hour class is available upon request or when classes are posted. • Bollywood Dance Class with Garima Rawat If you’ve every watched a Bollywood film, you probably thought about how cool it would be to learn the dance moves. And now, in just one hour, you can! Garima will show you the steps and have you dancing along to Bollywood music in no time! Head on over to Dulwich Hill to start enjoying Bollywood films in a new way! • Kpop Private Dance Class with Mitchel Yee Kpop is taking over the world with its captivating music and great dance moves. This one-on-one hour-long class is amazing for anyone from beginners to the more advanced who want to learn how to join the kpop craze. All that you need to do is show up with a water bottle, towel, and comfortable clothes because it will definitely be a workout. Mitchel generally holds his classes in Campsie but is willing to travel. Don’t miss out on this great workshop! • Open Hiphop Dance Lessons with Jeffery Hu Hiphop may feel like one of those things that you’re either good at or not, but Jeffery is an expert at proving that idea wrong. His engaging and pressure-free hour-long workshops allow students to find their own movement through the traditional steps of hiphop. No prior experience required. This class takes place in Campsie or within 7km. • Beginner Ballet, Tap and Contemporary Dance Workshop with Issy Wright Issy is all about helping you learn the foundations of dance in a wonderful, engaging class. From tap, lyrical, ballet or contemporary, you’ll learn the modern techniques of dance so that your dancing is always improving. This one and a half hour class takes place in North Sydney. • Basic Steps for Latin Rhythms Dance Class with Fanny Moreno Head on over to Epping to spend an hour and a half learning how to dance to Latin music with Fanny. It’s a great, friendly atmosphere where you’ll learn the basic steps to a variety of Latin-based dance styles. Classes are generally small, with no more than 5 students. • Salsa Dance Class with Connection Studios Last but not least, you’ll definitely want to check out this high-energy dance class with Connection Studios in Surry Hills. This class can get quite large, with up to 30 people, and that’s because it is two hours of pure fun. With all of these wonderful dance options available, there’s no better time to find your inner rhythm. You’ll have fun, you’ll get a good workout, and you’ll meet great people. Enjoy! ...
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By Tiffany Fung
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By ClassBento Team
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Creative After Work Activities in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
After work drinks at the pub are great, but in an exciting young city like Sydney, there's lots more to do and explore in the evening hours especiallyAfter work drinks at the pub are great, but in an exciting young city like Sydney, there's lots more to do and explore in the evening hours especially if you're in need of rainy day activities in Sydney. Thanks to our local artists, who are willing to share their passion and expertise, we've got a huge variety of secret and less known things to do in Sydney this weekend. Creative workshops are lots of fun, relaxing, and can help you take a real mental break from the stresses of work and beyond, as well as encouraging you to maintain a better balance against digital addictions (aka a great way to start/stay on digital detox). Do something social - go out with some friends or your other half, or take the opportunity to build relationships with some colleagues or clients. Why not meet some like-minded friends-to-be (and maybe even a potential special someone)? Avoid getting stuck and wasting time in peak hour traffic. Take some time for yourself and zen out, and by the time you're done, all those commuters will be gone and you'll have a much smoother and easier time home. #travelhacks Our teachers are flexible and love to teach, so you're welcome to Request an after-hours workshop. Whether you're in Redfern, Marrickville, Rozelle or elsewhere, we'll have a creative class close to you. And if you'd like to spend some time after your usual work hours teaching and getting some additional income, we'd love to hear from you. Here are some of our favourites: Make a Kokedama or terrarium, in a beautiful Redfern floristry Draw a portrait, perhaps of someone you know (or keep it safe and do something more neutral), under the guidance of a professional illustrator Indulge in cheese, wine... and art of course, in a cozy Rozelle studio. Laugh, chat and create, with a talented artist Learn to make proper coffee in a barista or espresso class, or even jazz it up with a latte art class, with a world champion barista. Get physical and learn to juggle in one of Sydney's beautiful parks (perfect for those longer summer evenings). Take a photography class and develop both your technical skills as well as your artistic approach, with an experienced photographer (smartphones or DSLRs both welcome), in the gorgeous surroundings of The Rocks. It's a perfect time to hone your low-light / night photography skills in particular. ...
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Cocktail Classes in Sydney for Every Special Occasion
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5 Unique Drawing Classes in Sydney to Explore Your Creativity
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Learn to Cook Traditional Japanese Food in Sydney
By Julia Carr-Catzel
‘We are truly happy. We would like to continue passing on Japanese food culture to the generations to come and work harder to let people overseas‘We are truly happy. We would like to continue passing on Japanese food culture to the generations to come and work harder to let people overseas appreciate the benefits of washoku’ revelled the Japanese President Shinzo Abe, in late 2013. Japanese cuisine or ‘washoku’ had just earned a place on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, seated between nations: France and Mexico, lauded for their culturally significant cuisines. In a country renowned for its harmonious relationship to food, the recognition arrived at a time when vast amounts of food waste suggested otherwise. Specifically, a whopping eight million tons of it. President of the National Assembly on the Preservation and Continuation of Washoku Culture, Isao Kumakura, attributed the waste to the seductive charm of convenience. The Japanese appeared to be swept up in soaring productivity of the 21st century, the fast-paced days saw the home delivery of noodle-dishes and bento box lunches, fad-food diets and restaurant distributed meals replacing home-cooked. This detachment from food, ruined the very foundation of washoku: valuing food and avoiding waste. The pace of progress has not slowed for anyone, least of all Japan, since 2013, though the movements of bodies such as the National Assembly, alongside grassroots action, have certainly helped revive the endangered washoku. Implementation of parent-child classes in diverse dietary education, provision of local dishes in school lunches and community events and the establishment of symposiums on Japan’s dietary culture, have encouraged locals to rediscover their identity. Rediscovering Washoku Over the course of history, the cultural influence of nations embarking upon Japanese shores has resulted in numerous culinary transformations. The arrival of European missionaries during the 16th century saw locals combine Spanish and Portuguese frying techniques. An experimentation with Chinese methods of cooking during this time resulted in tempura: a deep-fried dish typically focused on seafood and vegetables, popular in modern Japan. Japanese chefs incorporated increasingly more meat into their dishes, reflective of Western-style cooking during the 19th century. Soon enough, beef, deep-fried pork cutlets and curry dominated the food scene. Underlying it all: the traditional Japanese cuisine: washoku, valuing simplicity and health. Surrounded by seas where warm and cold currents converge, Japan is home to four thousand species of fish, including squid, octopus, and eel. Sea vegetables line the shores and well developed rice fields saw the birth of a culture of cultivation, dating two thousand years. A combination of Japan’s natural elements, constitute the basis of washoku. Sitting down for a traditional meal typically resembles: a bowl of rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, fish or meat. Noodles often replace rice as a staple food, including udon, soba and ramen. Only the freshest and seasonal ingredients are served, in minimalist presentation. Japanese chefs aim to harness the natural flavour and texture of each ingredient, most commonly fish, requiring knife mastery specific to Japanese culinary arts. As children, locals are taught to balance plain-tasting rice with stronger side-tasting dishes, consuming a morsel of rice after each bite of side dish, savouring the taste and texture of every ingredient and achieve a balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Umami is the core, essential element in washoku, translated from Japanese to ‘pleasant savoury taste’ coined by chemist: Kikunae Ikeda, back in 1908. Japanese cooking uses minimal ingredients, umami provides the flavour base for most dishes. The flavour is richest in fermented condiments such as ‘dashi’, a rich stock made from kelp, miso (fermented soybean paste) and soy sauce. Of the numerous styles of Japanese cooking, chakaiseki (also spelt as kaiseki): cuisine of the tea ceremony meal, honzen ryori: elaborate style of banquet cooking and kaiseki ryori: traditional multi-course dinner, Shojin ryori: the temple food of Zen Buddhists, values traditional cuisine in a deeply introspective approach, reflective of the Buddhist gratitude to nature, promoting harmony of mind, body and soul. Temple Food of Zen Buddhists Dating back to prehistoric times, the Japanese’ indigenous worldview has found profound religious meaning in its surrounding natural environment. Founder of Soto Zen, Japanese monk: Dogen Zenshi, asserted the belief that non-sentient beings shared the human ability to engage in discourse with the Buddhist Dharma, and were therefore not exempt from enlightenment. Dogen’s philosophical values extend to shojin ryori, one of many Japanese cuisines, though maintains the largest influence on food in the country. A common mantra of Zen Buddhism, spreading through 13th century Japan, was the belief in foods to provide balance, alignment to body, mind and spirit. Buddhist monks indulged in soybean-based foods, seasonal vegetables and wild mountain plants. Forbidden to slaughter animals for consumption, monks abstained from meat, fish or any animal product, believed to cloud the spirit and interfere with meditation. The ‘rule of five’ underlies shojin ryori meals, based on achieving nutritional balance and placing the body in balance with the seasons, by incorporating five colours and flavours into each meal. Common seasonal vegetables include: cucumber and tomato for refreshment in Summertime and root vegetables to warm the body in Winter. Buddhist monks preserve all components of local vegetables, including the tops and skins off carrots, radish leaves, out of respect for the natural environment. Knife Mastery Unique to Japanese cuisine is its cultural eating rituals and habits. Japanese chefs, who train for years, wield their artistic hands to create vigilantly prepared dishes, appealing to the senses as well as palate. Perhaps more reflective of an art form, than cooking, highly-skilled Japanese chefs dedicate laborious hours to rolling sushi with a bamboo rolling mats, grating daikon, grinding fresh sesame seeds, wielding clay cooking pots and simmering delicate fish with a wooden-drop lid (otoshi-buta). Mastering multiple knife techniques, chefs choose from an array of knives and cut entirely by hand: delicate slices of sashimi, wispy strands of daikon, flowers out of carrots and fish, beef and chicken into bite-sized pieces to be handled by chopsticks. Raw, simmered, fried, steamed, roasted or grilled, Japanese cuisine is presented on the plate with the utmost precision, the result of strenuous dedication, echoing a philosophy gratitudinous of the environment. Japanese Cuisine in Sydney Over the past few decades, Japanese cuisine has found a face in the international market. A boom in Japanese restaurants overseas, has attracting diverse audiences to sushi and noodle bars, to reap the benefits of the natural, nutritional dishes. Unfortunately, however, some of its authenticity has been lost along the journey. At the helm of Japanese eateries both small and large, chefs are often not of Japanese descent or properly trained in Japanese cuisine, and lean towards dishes that more closely resemble Chinese food, or take shortcuts and simply serve MSG-filled food. For an authentic Japanese culinary experience, Sydney-siders can opt for a professional-led class with ClassBento. Embark upon an appreciation of Japanese culture, begin a journey of health improvement, and choose from a range of classes with Yoshiko Takeuchi, who boasts over ten years cooking experience. Yoshiko has frequented some of Sydney’s top kitchens, specialising in Japanese vegetarian and vegan recipes, in a mission to promote a healthy and enriching lifestyle. Start with a beginner's course, or jump straight into in a Superfood Gyoza or Power of Miso cooking class. Learn how to make healthy alternatives to gyoza, miso and sushi minus the msg and deep-frying practices found in some restaurants. Form mounds of sushi rice, create nigiri and nori rolls whilst sipping on Japanese tea with other Japanese-food enthusiasts. Make tofu from soybeans, tempura or matcha green tea salt. Embrace the Buddhist lifestyle in a Shojin Ryori Vegetarian cooking class by Setsuko Yanagisawa and make mushroom tempura, lotus roots dishes, and much more, while relaxing your mind and spirit with tea and sake. Introduce yourself to a diverse range of Japanese ingredients, refine your skills and cleanse your body. Interested in making traditional Japanese sweets? Learn to make Japanese sweets in Sydney! ...
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Learn to Make Japanese Sweets in Sydney
By ClassBento Team
A typical Japanese bakery will have wagashi. In fact, they won’t just have wagashi. Most likely, they will have many, many types of the bite-sizedA typical Japanese bakery will have wagashi. In fact, they won’t just have wagashi. Most likely, they will have many, many types of the bite-sized sweet Japanese treats. As you peruse your options, it will be difficult to pinpoint just one tantalizing option: there are small, soft green balls, dense, chocolate-like squares, intricately molded hard candies, and more, all delicious and delicate and exciting. Learn how to make them from scratch at Japanese cooking classes in Sydney. After deliberating for a long time between the wide selection, you may just have to sample more than one. Don’t worry if you don’t find your favourite treat on your first pass. Japanese sweets are available at virtually every Japanese establishment in Australia, including restaurants, department stores, food carts, and convenience stores (1). Make sure that you have an open mind and a cup of green tea with you as you begin your wagashi journey. To understand wagashi, you must first learn the ancient art of tea ceremony. You’ve probably heard of Japanese Tea Ceremony, a practice that automatically conjures up images of delicate tea sets, the precise and talented movements of a tea master, and the serene greenery of a tea garden. Historians have written a great deal about this highly structured and difficult-to-learn cultural practice, from its introduction to Japan in the 700’s to today’s tea ceremony revival in younger generations. Everyone can agree that tea ceremony holds a special place in Japan’s national identity, invoking pride in citizens and absolute awe in tourists. What you may not have heard, but will be excited to learn, is that tea ceremony has a sweet secret: Wagashi, or Japanese sweets. This facet of tea culture deals specifically with the sweet accompaniments to green tea, made up mostly of sweet bean pastes and rice flour. They come in an endless variety of colors, shapes, tastes and textures, and have become a cultural staple in their own right. Dessert-lovers and cultural enthusiasts alike are anxious to sign up for Japanese confectionery classes, in which students learn the preparation method and serving technique of the tasty morsels. Try making your own sweet treats with ClassBento's friendly and expert teachers, or dive deeper into a workshop that focuses on Japanese arts and culture. Once you’ve signed up for your beginner’s course, you may want to brush up on your Japanese tea history before your first class. Here are a few key things to remember about this special practice: • In the 14th century, tea ceremony was created by Zen Buddhists as a religious practice emphasizing the four integral notions of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility (2). Because of this, tea ceremony is a fundamentally spiritual practice and has retained sacred status for seven centuries. • The most important name associated with tea ceremony is Sen Rikyu (3), a tea master who set the standard for tea ceremony by codifying the entire process, from the technical process, to the utensils, to the setting. He is credited with developing the notions of wabi (a commitment to simple, everyday living) and sabi (an aesthetic tendency towards the old and worn.) The overall intention is to find beauty in ordinary objects. • Tea masters dedicate their entire lives to perfecting their craft, and a full tea ceremony can last up for four hours, with multiple renditions of green tea, a meal, sake tasting, and wagashi (4). Now that you have a foundational knowledge of the main show, let’s pivot to one of the key players of the ceremony: wagashi. Wagashi can be broken down into three separate categories - togashi, tenjin and nanban-gashi - each with its own taste and cultural history(5). • Togashi is the rarest form of Japanese confectionery and is made from the kneading of wheat flour or bean paste into various shapes. It is then deep-fried and has a long tradition of being served at aristocratic banquets. • Tenjin is the type most closely associated with tea ceremony as it was introduced with by the zen buddhists who popularized the custom. It is characterized by jellied and bun-like sweets, although traditional versions were more savory than sweet. • Nanban-gashi was radically different from other forms of wagashi when it was introduced by Portuguese immigrants in 1543. Unlike its savory relatives, this unique form utilized sweet ingredients and eggs, which were previously uncommon on the islands. If such distinctions are not enough, wagashi gets more complicated - and more exciting! For, the creation of Japanese sweets are not simply shaping sweetened bean paste into random shapes. Instead, each wagashi creates a balance of the senses which enhances its role as part of the Zen Buddhist’s tea ceremony(6): • Sight - each wagashi is perfectly crafted to be aesthetically pleasing and thought provoking • Taste - wagashi is a showcase of its natural ingredients, allowing the person tasting the treat to admire traditional Japanese crops such as beans and grains • Texture – the sweets come in a vast variety of textures, from soft to crispy to light to dense • Scent - a key aspect is subtlety - in fragrance, especially. Each morsel compliments the other scents of the ceremony, like the all-important green tea • Sound - wagashi invoke an auditory response as a result of its unique and significant labels. Many refer to natural elements or traditional poetic works When sifting through all of the information, you may feel a little bit overwhelmed. This is normal; tea ceremony and Japanese sweets boast of long and meaningful histories that are difficult for foreigners to understand. But wagashi can be a beautiful and accessible hobby, in which students learn about and gain an appreciation for an incredibly complex culture while also exploring the creative process of wagashi-making. As a student of wagashi, you can benefit just by learning the basics, or you can fully lean into the practice, tapping into an extensive and well-established tradition of sweet-making. Learn about the amazing health benefits of matcha here. References: (1) japan-guide.com (2) mightyleaf.com (3) britannica.com (4) shibuiswords.com (5) kikkoman.com (6) toraya-group.co.jp ...
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Learn How to Make Macarons in Sydney
By John Tabari
Learn how to make macarons at fun baking classes in Sydney. French or Parisian Macaron What people often refer to as a ‘Parisian’Learn how to make macarons at fun baking classes in Sydney. French or Parisian Macaron What people often refer to as a ‘Parisian’ or ‘French’ macaron is the traditional recipe. That is, two meringue biscuits on top of one another with a sweet filling. Usually ganache, buttercream, smooth cream or caramel. They are easy to make but you must adhere closely to the recipe, otherwise they could end up with an undesirable appearance or texture. To make any variation of the macaron, you should first acquaint yourself with the basic recipe or alternatively if you dare you could book a class with MakMak's macaron making class in sydney If not then read on! How to make macaron shells: Whisk egg whites until they form meringue. You will know you’re at this point when you lift the whisk out of the bowl and it leaves stiff peaks. Add any food colouring or flavour at this point. Process almonds in a blender until smooth. You can also combine powdered sugar in the blender too. Sift this mixture well to get rid of any clumps. Fold the sifted almond granules and powdered sugar into the meringue. Continue to fold until you achieve a shaving foam consistency. Using a piping bag, pipe the mixture in the desired size onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Leave around an inch between each shell. Tap the baking sheets firmly a couple of times to release any air bubbles. Leave to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes until the shells form a skin. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 325 F until they have risen and set. Let them cool before adding the filling. How to make a macaron buttercream filling: Cream butter until it’s smooth. Then mix in powdered sugar, vanilla and milk until fluffy. Using a piping bag, pipe the filling onto one shell and gently compress both shells together. Various fillings You may want to change up your fillings depending on the flavour of the macaron whether sweet, savoury or a fruity flavour. For instance for a savoury macaron a common substitution for buttercream is cream cheese, which you can also make from scratch. You could get really experimental and see how smooth peanut butter or lemon curd work. Anything that has a thick, pasty consistency could work. But be sure to steer clear of ingredients with high moisture contents such as whipped cream or ice cream, as these will dissolve the shells. Make sure you’re gentle when adding a filling; they are delicate and pressing too hard could crush them. Different Shapes If you think that you’re a pretty skilled baker, or have mastered the simple macaron, try experimenting with different shapes. MakMak’s CEO Carlos the “Mak” daddy of macrons can give you your first steps in creating some amazing macarons with his macaron making class. If you’re game you could make animals, flowers or even other food shapes with macarons. Similarly, another Toronto baker, Christopher Siu creates macaron characters, including some faces you might recognise. To make these macarons, follow the basic recipe. When it comes to piping out the mixture, you would need to pipe it into the desired shape. To achieve the desired colour, add food colouring in while you’re folding the dry ingredients into the egg whites. Be careful though, these treats may end up being too adorable to eat. Taste test more of the best baking classes in Sydney here. Bonus: Macaroons People often confuse macarons and macaroons, thinking that they’re the same thing. In fact, if you google ‘macaroon’ you will still see results for macarons. But macaroons are a coconut based sweet, which is chewy on the inside with a crisp exterior. They are quite different from the traditional French macaron. The Anglicised pronunciation of ‘macaron’ often lends to the confusion. Start by mixing sweetened condensed milk, shaved coconut flakes and vanilla extract until well combined. Then whisk egg whites and salt, the way you would to get meringue. Add the two mixtures together and fold. Scoop small dollops of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking tray. Then bake at 325 F for 25 minutes. For some extra sweetness, dip the bottom of the macaroons in melted chocolate and then refrigerate for 10 minutes. Let the chocolate set and enjoy. Macaron Troubleshooting Tips Anyone who has attempted to make macarons will know that they don’t always turn out well. In fact, they often turn out less than perfect, since the margin for error could occur at any time throughout the baking process. Here’s what to look for if your macarons aren’t quite up to the Ladurée standard: Peaks on the shell. This can happen when the dry ingredients were not sifted enough or the batter was under-mixed. Cracked shell. This happens when the batter is overmixed. Uneven Shell. The batter is too liquidy or under-beaten. Too Crispy. The shells were left in the oven too long. ...
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Last Saturday, ClassBento's expert soap making teacher, Elena Martarello, hosted a group of 30 students at Sydney's Caroma Flagship storeLast Saturday, ClassBento's expert soap making teacher, Elena Martarello, hosted a group of 30 students at Sydney's Caroma Flagship store for a soap making class in Sydney. The guests were hospitality students from South East Asia, and were in Sydney briefly to learn and enjoy, and soap making fit well into the wellbeing theme of their trip. The Caroma Flagship store offered a beautiful light-filled and open space for the group to mingle and discover. They were supplied with professional soap making equipment and ingredients, from the basics like safety goggles to pretty frills like dried flowers to decorate their soaps with. Today, they would be making nourishing and moisturising soaps, using only premium natural ingredients like organic coconut oil and mica. After hearing about the principles and techniques used in making soap, and seeing demonstrations, the students enjoyed digging in and applying their skills in a hands-on manner. It was a great chance for the students to bond and develop their teamwork skills, as they were split into 10 small groups of 3. Perhaps building interpersonal relationships that will last them far into the future. The finished product was allowed to set and solidify, and it was good stuff! The amount that the students learned and applied in just 2 hours was impressive. The students also received a useful and practical guide to soap making, for them to experiment with later. They loved the entire activity! Inspired? Check out Elena's soap making class. Perfect for beginners. Indulge in a craft, take someone out for a special occasion, or enjoy it as a group, whether a corporate team building exercise, a creative hens party idea, a birthday celebration, or anything in between. Until next time, The ClassBento team ...
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Looking for an inspiring school excursion ideas in Sydney? Whether you're organising an event for high school students or even primary schoolLooking for an inspiring school excursion ideas in Sydney? Whether you're organising an event for high school students or even primary school learners, ClassBento has a class that makes learning fun. Give them a different perspective and broaden their horizons. Cultivate a love of learning in them. Our teachers are flexible, and happy to customise classes to suit your group – that could mean travelling to your venue, reducing the length of the class or customising its content, and tweaking pricing to suit your budget. And as a nice bonus – the adults (e.g. the accompanying teachers) will have a great time too. Every participant will get to keep whatever they make – perhaps a nice gift for the parents! Here are our favourite 5 ideas, ones that we wished we had as excursions when we were younger! Soap making or candle making – the kids will be too busy enjoying themselves to notice that they’re actually getting a valuable lesson in chemistry. Let them express their artistic selves as they select fragrances and the ingredients for their handmade products Terrarium making or Kokedama making – get closer to nature and learn about plants and gardens. The younger ones will love getting their hands stuck into the dirt and soil, and playing with the pebbles and other decorations to decorate their mini gardens – they’ll be exploring their creative side while doing so Screen printing – learn about how photo emulsions work, in a fun screen printing class. The kids can create their own designs, and use those to personalise totes, t-shirts, and more Pottery – don’t have pottery equipment at your school? Let our teachers show how one of mankind’s oldest inventions has evolved and remains relevant today Japanese calligraphy – learn about Japanese culture, and how to wield a traditional Japanese brush. Create beautiful and artistic characters Didn’t see any that ticks your boxes? Have a look at our full range of classes here ...
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