News

Tony Tan and Fleming's lead workshops at the Learning Centre

There’s nothing like a beautiful tree laden with fruit in summer and autumn. Fruit trees need careful pruning during the colder months to ensure a bountiful crop when the sun is shining. Titch from Fleming's joined us in the Learning Centre garden for a hands-on workshop on the ways to prune fruit trees.

On the same day the Learning Centre kitchen was abuzz with activity with well-known chef Tony Tan leading a workshop on how to make  dim sum and yum cha.. The group created a Chinese feast consisting of:

• Sui mai – steamed pork dumplings
• Har gow – prawn dumplings
• Char siu bao – BBQ pork buns
• Guotie – meat and garlic chive pot stickers
• Gai ha gau – chicken and prawn windmill dumplings

The sticky buns (char sui bao) were everyone’s favourite. The texture and lightness of the buns was sensational, especially when combined with the tasty barbeque pork filling. Tony demonstrated a few different ways to cook the buns which were very interesting.

Out in the Learning Centre garden the participants were busy pruning away at the fruit trees under the expert guidance of Titch from Fleming's. Titch was a great presenter, very relaxed, approachable and able to answer all sorts of questions about the art of pruning fruit trees for bumper crops. He demystified the whole process, clearly showing the group the techniques required to prune well by using the direction of the buds to shape the tree.

We received some great feedback from the fruit tree pruning participants:

• ‘I am so happy now that I know it’s not hard…I don’t have to be afraid I can just prune any way that I want.’
• ‘Seeing an expert at work is a great way to learn.’

Titch also spoke about many varieties of trees and the conditions they require to thrive. The day ended on a high note when Titch generously provided each participant with a tree of choice from Fleming's.  With plenty of handouts it made for a great way to end the workshop, everyone was really pleased and motivated to go home and starting pruning!

Find out about our upcoming public workshops here.