Details

Welcome to the ultimate kitchen and garden learning experience: an entire day filled with hands-on workshops, discussions and skill sessions. This training is designed to enhance Kitchen and Garden Specialists' knowledge and skills, to help you plan, prepare and deliver successful, engaging and enjoyable kitchen and garden classes in your schools. Sessions are based on Kitchen Garden Program activities, and are led by passionate and established facilitators who are leaders in their fields of expertise. 

Our aim is that  you come away from the day with increased knowledge and skills in areas specific to the kitchen and/or garden, along with the ability to transfer this knowledge and skills to your students. Participants will enjoy sharing experiences and ideas, and learning from other Specialists, while also gaining some insight into neighbouring schools within the region.

This year we have an amazing line-up. Simon Bryant will be in the kitchen examining various lentil varieties and their uses in his workshop Dahl Three Ways, while Gareth Grierson from Red Door Bakery complements the theme with a workshop focused on flat breads and loaves. Meanwhile also in the kitchen, Amanda Whitrod, Kitchen Specialist at Woodend Primary School, will be teaching various practical ways to preserve garden gluts – a really key skill in the Kitchen Garden Program.

In the garden we welcome Lolo Houbein, author of the key garden resource One Magic Square, who will lead the group through practical planting techniques using her square metre concept. At the same time, Dr Harry Harrison will run his session on fruit-tree pruning techniques, while Monina Gilbey, garden designer at Green Gecko Studios and one of our most experienced Garden Specialists, will run a practical session that concentrates on the garden class and her tips for success.

The afternoon sessions are a mix of more general group sessions, designed to help you with key elements of the Kitchen Garden Program in your school.

We encourage you take the time to look at the sessions on offer, and book as early as you can, as places in each workshop are limited.

All attendees will join toegther for the first session of the day, so please arrive promptly for 8:50am start. The day will close with wine and cheese, and an opportunity to network and relax after a fun and busy day. 

Additional Details

Please choose workshops according to your own skills preferences and your role at your school - it is highly recommended that Garden Specialists attend garden workshops and Kitchen Specialists attend kitchen workshops. Please come dressed appropriately for hands-on sessions - all attendees are asked to wear covered shoes for safety, and if choosing garden workshops please note that unless the weather is inclement we will be outdoors and you should dress appropriately for the weather.