Meet the Chef – Michael Van de Elzen

Come join Girls on the Road’s small group #meetthechef Auckland workshop is a full day cooking class with the amazing chef Michael Van de Elzen – whether you’re a home cook or a master chef, this class is an amazing food experience. This day is all about food.

Meet at SkyCity Hotel around 8.00am, and we’re off out to enjoy a day under Michael’s tutorage at his “Good from Scratch” cookery school based at Muriwai on Auckland’s beautiful, rugged and wild west coast.

Today we take in all aspects of the farm, gardens and kitchen, taking your time to enjoy the sights and sounds of our rural location. On arrival we are greeted with a moreish slice or cake, accompanied by a hot drink to enjoy while gathered around the school’s vast macrocarpa table. Housekeeping is explained and Michael introduces the day’s menu.

Find your spot at the main table and pop on your Girls on the Road apron, then some will start kneading the ingredients for the wholemeal bread. This is placed into individual pans and set either by the fire or in a sunny spot, then allowed to ferment. It will be baked in the wood-fired pizza oven later in the day.

Heading outdoors, we take in all that the farm has to offer, including the huge kitchen gardens and a citrus orchard. Meet the chooks, sheep, cows and hopefully some native birds too. Gardener, Adrianne will then take the us through a full cycle of our gardens, collecting vegetables for the day’s menu which can include fruit from the orchard, vegetables from the gardens, herbs, edible flowers and even freshly laid eggs from the chickens.

Then it’s time for the real work as we are split into groups, allowing each group to prepare different components of the day’s menu (much like a professional kitchen). This is very fluid, and movement around the room is encouraged.  During the cooking portion of the day, Michael will be guiding us through the recipes and demonstrating handy tips and tricks – these could include butchery, baking and technical tips.

Stop to enjoy a break and a taste of freshly baked bread, along with some cheeses and relishes.

Time to plate! The prepared meals will be plated and served down the centre of the main table and we take our time and enjoy the fruits of our labour.  Of course accompanied by a selection of soda, local wines, cider or craft beers.  Here we sit back and enjoy each other’s company and the beautiful views down Taiapa Valley. There is time to relax and look through the market shelves filled with local artisan produce, where you have the opportunity to buy some “Good from Scratch” pickles, jams, relishes, cookbooks, smoked small goods and even honey from the farm.

Around 4.00pm we depart and return back to Sky City to be dropped off.

NOTE: 

All prices quoted are NZD. 

Please ensure you read and complete the Registration, Booking Terms & Conditions which includes general refund and COVID-19 refund policy which outlines that in circumstances where the cancellation of a tour or event is due to a Covid-enforced travel restriction, and we are unable to operate the event as planned, or the ability to travel is affected, we will issue a refund, less any unrecoverable costs OR you may wish to transfer to another Girls on the Road Again tou or event.

In response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic for your safety, that of your fellow passengers and those leading leading Girls on the Road Again’s awesome tours, we require all passengers to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before travelling. 

Limited to a maximum of 11 – payment of the fee for the day’s workshop secures your place.