Home Chef with Pork & Game Foundations

Overview:

Develop expertise in handling, preparing, and cooking pork and game meats with precision. Learn essential techniques to enhance flavor, tenderness, and presentation.

Objectives:

• Identify different cuts of pork and game meats and their optimal cooking methods.
• Master techniques such as slow-cooking, smoking, and braising for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Understand proper seasoning and flavor pairings unique to game meats.

Outcomes:

• Participants will confidently prepare and cook pork and game meats with professional techniques.
• Gain knowledge of ethical sourcing and responsible preparation practices.

Assessment Criteria:

• Successfully cook a dish featuring pork or game meat using a chosen technique.
• Demonstrate proper seasoning, plating, and presentation skills.

What to Expect:

• Hands-On Cooking: Active participation in preparing dishes.

• Small Class Sizes: Personalized learning experiences.

• Cultural Storytelling: Learn the history and traditions behind each cuisine.

• Group Dining: Enjoy the dishes you’ve created with your classmates.

• Purpose-Built Kitchen Studio: Experience cooking in a modern, spacious environment designed for optimal learning.

Key Features of the Program:

1. Hands-On Workshops: Participants actively prepare dishes under the guidance of expert chefs.

2. Cultural Storytelling: Each session includes stories of Melbourne’s multicultural communities and their influence on the city’s culinary identity.

3. Locally Sourced Ingredients: Highlight Victorian produce and multicultural traders from Victoria Street.

4. Networking Opportunities: Encourage community building and connections among participants.

5. Take-Home Recipes: Provide a professionally designed recipe booklet.

6. State-of-the-Art Facilities: Cook in our purpose-built kitchen studio, designed for comfort and efficiency.

Daily Schedule:

Class Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• 10:00 AM: Meet the chef at Otao Kitchen to begin your cooking class.

• 10:15 AM: The chef highlights today’s special cuisines and presents the day’s menu. Prepare to roll up your sleeves for hands-on preparation of a glorious meal in our purpose-built kitchen studio.

• 2:00 PM: Enjoy the fruits of your labor with an epic feast you’ve created, complemented by local wine.

• 3:00 PM: Conclude the day with a full stomach, a recipe book, and unforgettable memories to share with your family and friends.

Enrol Now: Visit our website or contact us to reserve your spot in the next available module!

10 Dishes to Learn in Home Chef with Pork & Game Foundations

1. Slow-Cooked Pork Belly with Crispy Skin – Master the perfect combination of tender, juicy meat and crispy crackling through slow roasting.
2. Smoked Venison with Juniper Berry Sauce – Learn how to smoke venison to enhance its rich, natural flavors.
3. Classic Cochinita Pibil (Mexican Slow-Cooked Pork) – Yucatán-style pork marinated in achiote and citrus, then slow-roasted.
4. Kangaroo Fillet with Native Pepperberry Sauce – Cook lean kangaroo meat to perfection with bold Australian flavors.
5. Pork and Fennel Sausages – Learn the art of sausage-making, balancing fat content and seasoning for the perfect texture.
6. Barbecued Wild Duck with Plum Glaze – Roast and glaze game bird meat with a sweet and savory fruit-based sauce.
7. Pork Tonkotsu Ramen – A rich and creamy Japanese broth made from pork bones, served with slow-braised pork belly.
8. Grilled Wild Venison Steaks – Learn proper seasoning and grilling techniques for lean and flavorful venison.
9. Braised Pork Cheeks in Red Wine Sauce – A melt-in-your-mouth dish highlighting slow braising techniques for maximum tenderness.
10. Sticky Chinese BBQ Pork (Char Siu) – Master the famous Cantonese-style roasted pork with a sweet and smoky glaze.

These dishes ensure hands-on experience with a variety of cuts, cooking techniques, and flavor pairings essential to mastering pork and game meats.

Home Chef Program Overview

Melbourne is a world-class culinary destination, renowned for its rich food culture shaped by diverse communities over decades. The city’s gastronomic diversity offers a tapestry of flavors, unique specialties, and authentic recipes that tell the stories of generations. Here at Otao Kitchen, we believe that food isn’t just to be admired—it’s meant to be experienced, savored, and mastered!

The Otao Kitchen Home Chef Development Program is designed for food lovers who aspire to take their cooking skills to the next level. Whether you’re a home cook, an aspiring chef, or simply passionate about food, our program provides an immersive and flexible learning experience. Participants can join at any stage or select specific modules that align with their culinary interests. This hands-on course integrates in-person chef-led training with access to a digital learning platform, featuring step-by-step recipes, instructional videos, and supplementary resources.

Our Intensive Full Cooking Program offers a deep dive into Melbourne’s rich culinary traditions. Each full-day, in-person training session is led by expert chefs and is supplemented by ongoing digital learning. Participants engage in guided demonstrations, hands-on practice, and structured assessments to track their progress. Additionally, every module begins with a one-hour foundational session on food safety, knife techniques, and essential cooking methods to ensure a strong culinary foundation.