Take your culinary skills to the next level with SIMON JOHNSON Cooking School – with a mix of demonstration classes, educational evenings and a producer-dinners, for the discerning home cook.
An Eastern European Experience with Anastasia Zolotarev
Saturday 21st June
10 am – 12 pm
Simon Johnson, 24a Ralph Street, Alexandria
$140 per person
Embark on a culinary journey through Eastern Europe in this immersive cooking class with Anastasia Zolotarev, celebrating recipes from her debut cookbook ‘Sour Cherries & Sunflowers’. Over the course of this delicious and informative session, you’ll discover traditional techniques, unique ingredients, and regional stories behind three stunning dishes. Everyone will be served tasting plates of each dish, paired with the best wines from the SIMON JOHNSON Wine Store.
Appetiser/Entrée
Mushroom Mayo Dip on Buttery Toasted Rye
Main
Herb-crusted Salmon with Potatoes, Fish Roe, and Cream
Dessert
Sour Cherry Kefir Pie
ABOUT
Anastasia Zolotarev is an Eastern European-Australian recipe developer, food writer and creative in Sydney. Passionate about connecting food with community, she hosts intimate supper clubs and workshops where she teaches home cooks how to make piroshky, honey cake and other signature Eastern European recipes. She also runs sell-out fundraisers and initiatives to support Ukrainian organisations and charities.
Anastasia worked in marketing for a large events and hospitality company in Sydney where she was inspired to pursue her passion for food, so in 2016 she decided to partake in Masterchef Australia. Since then, Anastasia has worked in several restaurants around Sydney including Firedoor, Quay and Bells at Killcare, and created food content regularly for brands such as Harris Farm and Hello Fresh. In 2025 Anastasia published her first recipe book ‘Sour Cherries & Sunflowers : A Taste of Home |Recipes from Eastern Europe and Beyond’.
Copyright images – Quadrille, Penguin Random House
Photography – Karen Fisher
Primo Estate Harvest Dinner with Matteo Grilli
Thursday 14 August
6 pm – 8.30 pm
Simon Johnson, 24A Ralph Street, Alexandria
$175 per person
Join Matteo Grilli, General Manager of Primo Estate and son of founder Joe Grilli, for an unforgettable evening celebrating La Dolce Vita – the sweet life – filled with fresh seasonal fare, exceptional wine, and the very first extra virgin olive oil of the 2025 harvest.
Enjoy a three-course Italian Feast, curated by Chef Meena Throngkumpola.
Starter: Kingfish Sashimi with Grapefruit, Ginger & JOSEPH First Run Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Wines: 2025 Primo Estate La Biondina & 2025 Primo Estate Fiano
Main Course: Roast Bannockburn Chicken with Truffled Jus, Heirloom Carrots & Celeriac
Wines: 2023 ‘Il Briccone’ Shiraz Sangiovese & 2023 ‘Zamberlan’ Cabernet Sangiovese
Dessert: Sherry Cherry Chocolate Trifle with Olive Oil Sponge & Candied Pistachio
Wine: NV JOSEPH The Fronti Fortified (a dessert-style tawny)
Evening will include an Olive Oil Masterclass, presented by Matteo Grilli – where you’ll discover the craft and character behind the first pressing of the 2025 season’s crop.
Complimentary Gift – each guest will receive a bottle of the JOSEPH First Run Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2025 to take home.
This is a true celebration of family, flavour and the first fruits of the harvest — our dinner promises to be a memorable evening of fine food, shared stories, and the simple pleasures of life well lived.
The Art of Indian Cooking with Bhavna Shivalkar
Saturday 20th September
10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Simon Johnson, 24a Ralph Street, Alexandria
$140 per person
Join Simon Johnson for a flavour-packed cooking class where you’ll explore the art of Indian home cooking using fresh, seasonal vegetables. This class is perfect for food lovers keen to deepen their understanding of Indian cuisine, build confidence with spices, and take home tips for cooking vibrant, satisfying meals. Attendees will enjoy a demonstration-based class with interactive, hands-on elements, so you can get involved while still having time to sit back and absorb the process. What you’ll experience:
- A short history of the featured dishes
- “Spices 1,2,3” – an essential guide to Indian spices and where to source them
- How to confidently recreate these dishes at home
- Time-saving kitchen tips for midweek meals
On the Menu:
- Dal Fry
- Mushroom Korma
- Chicken Kadhai
- Lemon & Peanut fried rice
- Cucumber Raita
- Mangalore Buns (Deep fried banana breads)
Tasting plates of each dish will be served, carefully paired with fine wines from our SIMON JOHNSON Wine Store to enhance every flavour. The class is suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and those who are gluten-intolerant. Come along and discover how easy and enjoyable Indian cooking can be—packed with flavour, fun, and inspiration.
ABOUT
Bhavna Kalra Shivalkar is a Mumbai-born, Sydney-based entrepreneur with 12 years of experience in the food industry, focusing on Indian cuisine and cultural immersion. Bhavna is the founder and CEO of The Modern Desi Co, an Indian food venture in Australia that merges traditional culinary techniques with modern business strategies.
Bhavna is known for designing distinctive Indian cooking classes and food tours that provide cultural insights and challenge misconceptions about Indian food. Bhavna’s focus is to break stereotypes about Indian cooking, by conducting ‘Cooking Classes’, ‘Food Tours of Little India’ and is an Indian Cultural Collaborator for ’Powerhouse Museum’.
Shivalkar is on a mission to teach people that there is more to Indian food than Butter chicken and Rogan Josh. Her cooking classes showcase her love for food and are infused with storytelling and memories so you can understand and appreciate where the ingredients came from and how easy it is to whip up an Indian meal any day of the week.
Pasta Making Masterclass – Master Fresh Homemade Pasta
Saturday 27th September
10 am – 12 pm
Simon Johnson, 24a Ralph Street, Alexandria
$99 per person
Step into the world of authentic Italian cooking led by a professional chef with this hands-on, two-hour pasta-making masterclass. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to perfect your skills, this class will guide you through the process of making fresh, homemade pasta from scratch.
What You’ll Experience:
Tagliatelle and Ravioli served with a light tomato sugo and torn basil – a simple, fresh dish that highlights the beauty of homemade pasta.
Tortellini stuffed with pumpkin & blue cheese, served with burnt butter & sage – a bold, autumnal dish with rich, savoury warmth.
Expect expert guidance, hands-on practice, and plenty of tips to help you recreate these dishes at home.
All attendees will have the chance to taste their own culinary creations, paired with a selection of the finest wines from our wine store.
All ingredients and equipment provided – just bring your enthusiasm!
