Details

Specialist Professional Development is the ultimate kitchen and garden learning experience: an entire day filled with hands-on workshops, discussions and skill sessions. The 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.

In the garden we welcome Neil Delmage, co-author of books including From Coast to Country: Waterwise Garden Designs for Australian Living, who will lead the group through practical waterwise techniques for edibles – a vital skill in the strong Western Australian climate. Also in the garden, Wendy Van Dort, sustainability and organic gardening expert as well as Garden Specialist at Elwood PS, will run her sessions An Introduction to Permaculture and Organic Principles of Gardening. And finally, we are also really honoured to welcome the entire team from Beyond Gardens to present on Bush Tucker, Fruit Trees and School Gardens.

In the kitchen two of Western Australia's most experienced and innovative chefs, Don Hancey and Peter Manifis, will be creating a feast in Seafood and Seasonal Vegetables (look out for the purple carrots and silver perch), while one of our most experienced and enthusiastic Kitchen Specialists, Giovanna Ghelardini from Elwood PS, will work with her group to create a series of delicious and technical recipes in Handmade Pasta.

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. They include a session on Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers, another on Hands-on Knife Skills and a third on School Gardens with the Beyond Gardens team.

All attendees will come together for the first session of the day, so please arrive promptly for the 9am start. The day will finish with wine and cheese, and an opportunity to network and relax with the whole group after a fun and busy day. 

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.

As a special bonus Neil Delmage will be giving a copy of his latest book A Natural State: The Gardens of Neil and Jenny Delmage to every attendee. Book quickly to ensure your place on the training day and your copy of this fabulous book!