The month of Christmas began with appropriately themed cooking classes run throughout our district, and finished with fabulous family gatherings…
Cooking classes for kids were all about Christmas treats,
and for the adults there was a meal that was budget friendly, various Christmas dishes from around the world and, of course, the Christmas hamper.
I found the original recipe for this dish when searching for an alternative salad that showcased beetroot. I love the simplicity of this salad, and we were a little surprised when it was served as part of a session showcasing Christmas dishes from around the world, that it proved to be an excellent accompaniment for a Eurasion Christmas curry – who would have thought! It is a fabulous salad for a buffet, or just to serve as a side to cold cooked meats.
If you have a moment, I would love to hear your thoughts on what you see on
this page – just pop a note in the comments box below.
With many thanks and kindness,
Julie.
A few years ago, for my birthday, I asked Gary to find me a little desk, I initially wanted to have it on the front porch, where I liked to sit on warm mornings. He went in search of, and found, a cute, old, school desk, it was a little tall and painted mission brown, but I still loved it. He immediately cut a wee portion off the legs to make it the correct height, it was put in place, still brown, but it fitted and really didn’t look out of place, but I never really used it.
My little brown desk on the front porch…
A few months ago I decided that I wanted to move it into the kitchen, a place where I could make notes as I worked on recipes, or other kitchen jobs. We found some paint in the shed, and Gary got to work sanding it back and giving it a paint of antique white. It looks fabulous! It has a little bottle that sits snugly in the ink well hole, where I can place a single flower from the garden. It makes me smile.
Date: Thursday 4 December 2025
Time: 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Venue: Segue – Stratford’s Neighborhood House & Arts Café
Cost: $55.00 per person plus Eventbrite Fee (Cost includes recipes and all ingredients, plus a light lunch on the day.)
Bookings: via Eventbrite click here
Max Participants: 4 participants
Date: Sunday 7 December 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Venue: Segue – Stratford’s Neighborhood House & Arts Café
Cost: $55.00 per person plus Eventbrite Fee (Cost includes recipes and all ingredients, plus a light lunch on the day.)
Bookings: via Eventbrite click here
Max Participants: 4 participants
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Venue: LIbrary meeting rooms next door to Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre (PNC)
Cost: $60.00
Bookings: Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre (PNC) phone: 5156 0214 or email: info@pnc.vic.edu.au
Max Participants: 8 participants
Sample Menu
Gingerbread (GF)
Mum’s Dundee Cake (GF)
Chocolate Bark
Red Capsicum Chutney
Apricot & Lavender Jam
Finishing Salt
Rhubarb, Orange & Vanilla Syrup
Meal in a Jar – Dal
(All food will be gluten free)
Just imagine the delight of that someone special, when you present them
with a hamper of delicious homemade treats for Christmas.
This year we’re making a fruit cake from my mum’s recipe book, my favourite jam, sweet treats, a meal in a jar with instructions for the recipient, a chutney, and more…
During this session you will work together to make a variety of components that will be used to assemble beautiful Christmas Hampers, one for each person, to take home and gift to someone special, or maybe keep for yourself, to enjoy.
A little more detail…
On the day:
※ Participants will be provided with ingredients, instructions and guidance as they prepare the various s dishes on the day.
※ We will finish the session with a light meal prepared on the day, showcasing some of the ingredients that will make up your hamper.
※ All food will be gluten free.
What you will take home:
※ Your own Christmas Hamper.
※ Notes and recipes for the dishes made on the day.
※ A share of any leftovers from the lunch (containers provided).
※ Maybe a new friendship with other’s who attend on the day.
Session Duration:
The session will run for approximately 4 hours.
More Information:
I prefer not to call this a cooking class, but more of a hands-on cooking and knowledge sharing session, where those attending learn and share from my experience. I am not a trained chef, just taught and guided by my experiences, and driven by my love of cooking, sharing, and celebrating with food.
Health and Safety
※ If you have any dietary restrictions, please contact me prior to booking as I like to make sure that everyone can enjoy the food prepared on the day.
※ Closed shoes must be worn on the day.
Learn ||| Cook ||| Eat ||| Chat
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me using the form below.
Date: Wednesday 10 December 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Venue: Briagolong Community House
Cost: $55.00 per person (Cost includes recipes and all ingredients, plus a light lunch on the day.)
Bookings: Follow this link, or phone Briagolong Community House (03) 5145 5425
Max Participants: 6 participants
Date: Thursday 11 December 2025 (SOLD OUT!)
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Venue: Briagolong Community House
Cost: $55.00 per person (Cost includes recipes and all ingredients, plus a light lunch on the day.)
Bookings: Follow this link, or phone Briagolong Community House (03) 5145 5425
Max Participants: 6 participants
(All food will be gluten free)
Terrine de saumon (France)
Krokiety (Poland)
Kari Debal (Malaysia)
Kroketten (Holand)
Rosolli (Finland)
Kourabiedes (Greece)
Bûche de Noël (France)
(All food will be gluten free)
Discover Christmas recipes from around the world, and learn of the traditions behind each as we cook. Many of these recipes have been passed on to me by very dear friends, and they’ve kindly written of their family traditions so that I can share them with you. Some of the recipes may be familiar to you, while there are some that may surprise as well. There’s even a recipe that’s cooked the day after Christmas, using leftover roast meat and veg!
On the day you will work together to prepare a variety of festive dishes which will be shared as we sit, relax, eat, chat and share thoughts on what we’ve just cooked and maybe what we’re planning to cook this Christmas.
On the day:
※ Participants will be provided with ingredients, instructions and guidance as they prepare the various delicious dishes on the day.
※ We will finish the session enjoying the delicious meal prepared on the day, as we sit, eat, chat and relax.
※ All food will be gluten free.
What you will take home:
※ Notes and recipes for the dishes made on the day.
※ A share of any leftovers from the lunch (containers provided).
※ Your own Christmas Hamper to gift to someone near and dear, or not!
※ Maybe a new friendship with other’s who attend on the day.
Session Duration:
The session will run for approximately 4 hours.
More Information:
I prefer not to call this a cooking class, but more of a hands-on cooking and knowledge sharing session, where those attending learn and share from my experience. I am not a trained chef, just taught and guided by my experiences, and driven by my love of cooking, sharing, and celebrating with food.
Health and Safety
※ If you have any dietary restrictions, please contact me prior to booking as I like to make sure that everyone can enjoy the food prepared on the day.
※ Closed shoes must be worn on the day.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me using the form below.
