I am so proud to present this cuisine which stems from my heritage of Latvia, a Baltic state in Northern Europe. Latvians celebrate life with song, dance, the earth with its trees, flowers and produce and of course, most importantly, sharing food around the table (which in Latvia can last for many hours!) Hot and cold, savoury and sweet - demonstrated and served, including a selection from the Aukstais galds which is a buffet table, similar to a smorgasbord. Also featuring Piragi which are traditional celebrationary yeast savouries.   We will be sharing the table for 2.5 hours.

Who doesn’t love the magic of Christmas? With my firm belief of creating an occasion, I will provide recipes and presentations for a magical Christmas meal, using seasonal produce and some jazzy touches. Do something different this year!

This class will provide your child with inspiration, knowledge and hands-on experience of cooking dishes for friends and family. They will be advised on product knowledge, safety and hygiene, basic cooking skills, the importance of healthy food and the first steps of entertaining.  Age groups: 10-14 years and 15-17. Please note that the menu for both age group classes will be the same.

Students to bring an apron and non-slip shoes.

The next tour of Morocco is scheduled for May 2011.

A 13 day tour exploring the beauty and flavours of this vast and colourful country. The route will cover a broad spectrum of Morocco, including the colourful coastal city of Rabat, the fertile lands of Meknes, the medieval city of Fes, the beauty of the Sahara desert including one night in a Bedouin tent, the heights of the Atlas Mountains, the amazing city of Marrakesh (shopping!) and finishing in Casablanca. I would ideally like to go as a group of 6-8 and at this stage, am holding a meeting at 27 Boomerang Street, Turramurra on Friday 12^th March 7.30pm to discuss details so that travel plans can begin.  Please contact me if you would like to attend the meeting or if you are interested in the Tour but unable to attend.

Join me on a tour of exotic produce outlets in Lakemba, Bankstown and Auburn.  Your journey will take you to ‘Lebanon’, ‘Arabia’, ‘Vietnam’ and ‘Turkey’ – all in one day! Visit an Arabic Nut Roaster, a Lebanese baker, Vietnamese markets, a Turkish family and their famous Turkish Delight business and more. Tour cost is $98 which includes bus transport, samples throughout the day, lunch with wine, a Turkish dessert and another insight into Sydney life.

You will have opportunities to buy bulk items such as olive oil, nuts and pulses, as well as bringing home pide bread, olives, cheese, biscuits, vegetables, meat and hand-made sweets to share at home.

A 14 seater bus will depart from Turramurra at 9.10am and will return at approx 4.30pm.

In a hurry but still love to sit down at the end of the day with a glass of wine and a delicious home cooked meal?  In this class, you will be presented with lip-smacking meals which require just a little preparation and then some time in a pot while you go about your day.  Complimentary flavours and seasonal ingredients are the key to this menu as well as a few rules of the pot.

For best results in your cooking, you need sharp knives. Bring along your knives and have them professionally sharpened at competitive rates while you have a cuppa and a browse through the Jazz Shop. 

Knife sharpening services will be here 10am to 12noon and the shop will continue to be open until 2pm. 

Please wrap your knives in a towel and include your name, phone number and number of knives.         

If unable to attend, you are welcome to drop off knives the day before and collect them at your convenience.

27th April to 1st May, 2010   (4 nights)

The first of my interstate foodie tours and what better way to start than with my old stomping ground – Adelaide.

As a child, I remember my parents walking me through the Adelaide Central Markets. The markets were so enticing with wafts of fresh bread, freshly smoked Continental smallgoods, ripe peaches and hot nuts. They are still enticing and are my favourite Australian markets.  You will be guided through, tasting along the way. Another highlight of the tour is a trip to Barossa Valley with private wine tastings and a cooking class at Maggie Beer’s kitchen. Also a tour through the picturesque Adelaide Hills which is home to many producers of fruit, cheese and wine and the old German town of Hahndorf.

There is plenty to see and do in Adelaide. Experience the unique bluestone architecture, the pandas at the Adelaide Zoo, the designer pubs, shopping in Rundle Mall, the tram, innovative restaurants using local produce and lots of friendly people.

South Australia is the Festival State. I have scheduled the tour to coincide with ‘Tasting Australia’ tasting-australia.com.au creating the opportunity for you to extend your stay to participate.

This is a personalised boutique tour aimed at providing fabulous flavours, comfort and an introduction to much that Adelaide has to offer. The cost includes 4 nights accommodation at the beautiful Medina Grand Apartments which are part of the old Treasury building and centrally located, 2 meals a day (breakfast of market goodies and gourmet lunch or dinner), private bus tours and river tour, cooking class and a whole lot of good food, good wine and fun.

Cost per person with a private 1 bedr apartment      $1,950

Cost per person sharing 2 bedr apartment (sep. bedroom)  $1,850

Cost per person sharing 1 bedr apartment i.e. twin beds or 1 queen bed   $1,550

Tour cost does not include air fares, travel insurance, drinks other than 'Welcome Drinks' and wine tastings, and any costs of a personal nature.

Please note that costs are calculated on a group of 6 or more people and that the tour may not proceed if minimum numbers are not met. *NOTE: Tour definitely proceeding with 8 people currently booked.

Please feel free to contact me for more details.

Travel with me to ‘Little Asia’ in Cabramatta where you will be guided through laneways and arcades of fresh produce, Asian cookware, trinkets, sweets and a dizzying number of restaurants. We will be discussing the difference between various Asian green vegetables as well as sampling exotic fruits and a Vietnamese lunch that will take you straight to Hanoi.

I will be presenting a menu inspired by my visit to Vietnam. Dishes will be my own interpretations of flavours experienced from Ho Chi Minh in the south to Hanoi in the north. Vietnamese cuisine has been influenced by the Chinese, Thai, Indian and French cuisines, so expect some exciting combinations of fresh flavours, twists from authentic dishes and some presentations to woo (or wow!) your guests.

If you have ever travelled to Venice, it is highly likely that you became romantically lost in a seemingly endless maze of canals and bridges. We will become lost in the aromatic world of Venetian cuisine, experiencing Kitchen Jazz dishes created using traditional flavours and techniques.  You will be taking home a piece of Venice on your taste buds!

I am so excited about my trip to Bali this year. I look forward to sharing the cuisine which has a history of influences from China, India, the Middle East and Europe, namely Spain and Portugal and of course, the Dutch colonisation. This class will include recipes based on my taste experiences of the fresh and fragrant flavours of Bali and Indonesia.  Can you taste it now?.... fresh herbs, coconut, spices, nuts, meats and salads. Plan your summer entertaining and include some beautiful presentations.

These classes will be aimed at the 18-25 age group with both demonstration and hands-on experience. Instruction will be given on cooking techniques, product knowledge, safety and hygiene and confidence to cook up a nutritious meal using fresh produce. No more excuses for junk food – and they will be able to cook a family meal!

Students to bring an apron and non-slip shoes.