Free To Feed

Wonderful class with Anh learning Vietnamese cooking. The atmosphere was very friendly and communal and the food was just fabulous. Really enjoyed hearing stories and sharing the meal!

Had a great time participating in a Colombian cooking class at Free to Feed in Northcote, with the very vibrant Verana as our guide & teacher. The evening was a special experience of coming together with others, sharing stories, food and wine, learning about vulnerable journeys to Australia, and exposure to a specific cooking culture (many experiences and cultures to choose from!) 💛

Ukrainian Chef Oksana is truly a culinary magician!
Her borscht was incredibly delicious, bursting with flavor and warmth.
The varenyky she prepared were a treat for the taste buds, perfectly cooked and filled with savory potatoes and topped with fried onions. The uzvar was a delightful and refreshing beverage that perfectly complemented the meal. The eggplant rolls were a gastronomic masterpiece, packed with amazing flavors. And can't forget about the cake, it was absolutely amazing, leaving me in awe. Every bite transported me to Ukraine, creating a truly authentic dining experience. Not only was the food incredible, but the atmosphere felt like being at home. I even took some photos to show my friends :-)
Chef Oksana is an exceptional chef who truly knows how to create a memorable culinary journey. Thank you, Chef Oksana, for the delicious and heartwarming experience!"
Natalia

Thank you Free to Feed! Thank you Oksana! 😀

I am writing to you today to share my overwhelming delight and profound appreciation for the culinary journey we embarked upon.On the enchanting evening of June 29th, me and my family were fortunate enough to be part of a truly remarkable event: Chef Cook Oksana's Ukrainian feast.

From the very moment we gathered around the table, Oksana's masterful creations took us on a nostalgic trip to the heart of Ukraine. The varenyky with potatoes and cheese were an absolute revelation. As I savored each bite, the delicate dough enveloped the luscious filling. It was as if Oksana had discovered the secret to capturing the essence of joy in every morsel.

But it was not only the varenyky that stole our hearts; the sour cabbage, a dish of incredible depth and authenticity, brought back memories of my own mother's cooking. Oksana's version managed to transport me back to my Ukrainian home, where every bite was an embrace of comfort and love. The perfect balance of tanginess and earthy notes left us yearning for just one more bite, as we indulged in this timeless classic.

Oksana's talent and passion for her craft were evident in every dish she prepared. The attention to detail, the dedication to preserving tradition, and the unmistakable love poured into each creation was truly awe-inspiring. It was evident that she poured her heart and soul into every culinary masterpiece she presented, and we were the fortunate beneficiaries of her expertise.

I wanted to take a moment to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Oksana for sharing her remarkable skills with us. Her talent and culinary artistry have left an indelible mark on our taste buds and hearts. The evening was a testament to the power of food in bringing people together, evoking cherished memories, and creating new ones.

Once again, thank you, Oksana, for an unforgettable feast. Your creations were nothing short of extraordinary, and we are immensely grateful to have experienced them firsthand. We eagerly look forward to your future endeavors and the opportunity to savor your culinary delights once more.

With warmest regards,

Nadiia

We had such a fabulous evening cooking a delicious Pakistani biryani (plus sides and dessert) with Kanwal. The workshop completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment we walked into the beautiful cooking space on High Street, we were met with warmth and curiosity -- and a gorgeous Rose Petal Cordial + chickpea Papri Chatt. From there the evening just flowed...Kanwal is a fabulous host, seemingly effortlessly balancing teaching/cooking/storytelling/teasing. She made everyone so comfortable while simultaneously introducing us to the beauty of Pakistani cuisine. The assistants were also so helpful and welcoming, and everything was so incredibly organized...within an hour of arriving we'd cooked a feast, and had so much fun while doing so. I got the class as a birthday gift for my husband and accompanied him on it- he loves to cook, I don't, and it worked so well for both of us. Really a wonderful evening and a fabulous way to learn about food and culture--thank you, Kanwal and Free to Feed!

This is the second time I have been here. Both times were amazing, but this time was even better. The staff running it were absolutely beautiful. They were very knowledgeable about the ingredients and cooking techniques, but also shared their stories which were very interesting. They took the time to answer our questions and made sure everyone was included. I was a bit worried about the length of time allocated for the class but it flew by very quickly. I was not ready to go at the end. We were all kept busy and engaged in their stories.

The food we cooked was delicious, nothing like I have ever tasted before, simple ingredients using a range of preparation methods. Catering for my friends vegan needs was not an issue at all. Once all cooked we all sat down to a large family meal with the staff which was really nice. The ladies put on some traditional music and did a dance for us all.

The premises were clean and they cleaned everything as they go. The guests do not have to clean up, but it is always good manners to help. We were all given a goody bag to go and there was a range of merchandise you could buy. But this was never pushed.

I cannot wait to come back to Melbourne again to do another one of these classes. Thank you Huda, Rowan and Azita for the amazing experience :)

We had the most invigorating, fun and wholesome experience in Huda's Palestinian Experience. It goes without saying the food we helped put together was amazing but we also went away feeling full in spirit (as well as our stomachs!) and inspired to spread the joy of food with our communities.

We went to Free to Feed today AM session. We were in Huda’s Palestinian cooking group. Huda, Rowan and Azita were fantastic. Huda shared her story with us while she taught us her Teta’s recipes. They were so welcoming, friendly and accommodating. Todays menu included a chicken dish and we had a vegan friend with us. Huda was so lovely that she made her a vegan friendly version of the dish.
Highly recommend this experience to all.

A free to feed cooking experience is so unique in every way. It is so special to experience authentic cooking techniques and more importantly hear the stories behind each dish.
I went to Shadi’s class and he is so warm and wonderful . His passion for cooking comes across in everything he does, down to the attention he puts into the presentation of his dishes and how he teaches. By far the best hummus and rice I have had. The smoky rice was so unique! Thank you Shadi for sharing your story, recipes and little cooking tips.

We had previously attended a cooking class with FreeToFeed and thoroughly enjoyed the experience so when it came to choosing a venue for our wedding, we couldn’t think of a more apt place.

The venue is beautiful! We went with the feasting menu and drink options and were spoilt with choices for both. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the food.

The planning logistics and communication with the Bek and the team was seamless.
Highly recommend both the cooking classes and the venue for events!

A lovely vegan cooking class led by charismatic Persian ladies.

Had such a great experience with Free to Feed. Food for our event was so scrumptious, and the staff was lovely and helpful. We picked up after ordering online for a party at home and everyone was impressed with the quality. Can’t wait to try one of their special event feasts on-site!

I cannot speak more highly about this incredible organisation. I attended two of their cooking classes in Northcote (Akram's Persian class and Huda's Palestinian class) and both were so enjoyable and delicious. I also attended a Ukrainian winter feast at their Fitzroy North venue which was a heartwarming occasion. Based on this I decided to host my birthday party at the venue. The team offered me a range of catering options, and the communication was excellent in the lead-up to make sure they had a clear sense of what my requirements were. On the day, Ryan and the staff were utter professionals and helped the event go seamlessly so that I could just enjoy myself. Many people complimented the beautiful and spacious art deco venue. Most importantly, the food on the night was diverse, well-presented, generously portioned and, most importantly, absolutely scrumptious. I'm so glad that this organisation was a part of my special day and I would recommend their event space for all kinds of functions.

Thank you for an amazing experience ! Highly recommended - gorgeous people, food and such a beautiful venue. Verena such a vibrant, warm, welcoming host - beautiful and giving
Great way to spend an evening. Loved it - we will be back !!

This was an excellent experience for my work team. A great way to bond over our love of food and doing something that we would not normally do together.

Shanhnaz was an amazing host and teacher. Would highly recommend

My partner and I went to Shadi’s cooking experience and had a wonderful time. Firstly it was Shadi’s birthday and he humbly shared his night with us essentially cooking for 12 people. Eddie, the host was very engaging and his positive energy shon through while Shardi shared his talent, experience and passion for food. Thanks to the whole team, including Nadi the back stage support, for a beautiful date night for us

My husband and I were gifted a Free to Feed cooking class as a wedding present. We booked in for Verena's Colombian class and LOVED it. The food was amazing, a lovely warm atmosphere was created and we thoroughly enjoyed laughing and chatting with the other guests. Verena and Delta were great hosts. We have already recommended the experience to our friends and family!

Vegan Persian with Shahnaz was a beautiful and delicious experience. A cultivation of connection through food and stories, getting at the core of what makes us all human. Would recommend to anyone, a great gift

A great experience learning from Laila about Afghan cooking. Delicious food, super tasty, and lots of it. Would highly recommend this to friends who love food or for those who love cooking. Keen to try another cuisine featured on Free to Feed’s list!

I’ve attended a cooking class with Free to Feed but we recently got my brother’s birthday dinner catered. The food was DELICIOUS and beautifully presented. Can’t recommend more highly!