Cooking Workshops – Homegrown Kitchen Shop

Cooking Workshops Around New Zealand

I’ve been sharing my passion for cooking and eating well for over 20 years. Combining my training as a chef with nutrition knowledge and practical cooking tips to create engaging cooking workshops. My teaching journey began with small classes in my home and quickly grew to evening classes around Nelson. In 2006, I developed and taught a Cooking and Nutrition course at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT), drawing on my Certificate in Adult Education to make learning enjoyable and accessible.

My workshops focus on flavourful, everyday recipes using nourishing ingredients, with an emphasis on traditional techniques like sourdough bread, fermentation, and home preserving. Over the past two decades, I’ve taught thousands of participants across Aotearoa, from Whangārei to Queenstown. I now run regular classes in Nelson and travel to main centres around New Zealand each year.

Upcoming events and booking links are listed below. Workshops often fill quickly, so I recommend booking early. Registrations open first to my email list – subscribe HERE to be notified.

2026 Cooking Workshops

Term One

NELSON – Preserving the Harvest – Wednesday 11 February 2026 – 6:30–8:30 pm – Sold Out
NELSON – Art of Sourdough – Wednesday 25 February 2026 – 6:30–8:30 pm – Sold Out
ONLINE (Zoom) – Preserving & Fermentation – Wednesday 11th March – 7:00–9:00 pm Details and Book here

Term Two & Three

NELSON – Art of Sourdough – Wednesday 22nd April (new date) – 6:30–8:45 pm
Details and book here
CANTERBURY – 2 x Sourdough Classes – Saturday 23rd May – bookings open April, details and register interest here
NELSON – Everyday Sourdough – Wednesday evening, June – 6:30–8:45 pm – date to be confirmed, details and register interest here
WELLINGTON – 2 x Sourdough Classes – Saturday daytime, August – date to be confirmed, details and register interest here
ONLINE (Zoom) – Learn Sourdough – Saturday 2.00–4:15pm, August – date to be confirmed, details and register interest here

More 2026 workshops to be confirmed for Blenheim, Auckland, and other locations. I am also available for private small-group workshops or demonstrations at larger events – get in touch here.

Previous 2025 Cooking Workshops

Term One

NELSON – Preserving the Harvest – Wednesday 19 February 2025 – Sold Out
Register interest for 2026
ONLINE (Zoom) – Preserving & Fermentation – Wednesday 5 March – 7:00–9:00 pm – Sold Out
Register interest for 2026
NELSON – Art of Sourdough – Wednesday 2 April – Sold Out

Term Two

AUCKLAND – Art of Sourdough – Saturday 17 May – 10:00–12:00 pm – Sold Out
Register interest for 2026
AUCKLAND – Sourdough & Ferments – Saturday 17 May – 2:00–4:00 pm – Sold Out
NELSON – Art of Sourdough – Wednesday 28 May – 6:30–8:30 pm – Sold Out
ONLINE (Zoom) – Learn Sourdough – Saturday 14 June – 2.00 –4.00 pm – Sold Out
Register interest for next class

Term Three & Four

NELSON – Sourdough & Ferments – Wednesday 23 July – 6:30–8:30 pm – Sold Out
BLENHEIM – Two Sourdough & Ferments Classes – Sunday 24 August – Sold out
More details and register interest for 2026
NELSON – Art of Sourdough – Wednesday 15th October – 6:30–8:30 pm – Sold Out
NELSON – Everyday Sourdough – Wednesday 12th November – 6:30–8:30 pm
More details and book here

Join my Events newsletter HERE to be kept up to date with cooking workshops around Aotearoa New Zealand.

More Details About My Cooking Workshops

The workshops are demonstration-style, with plenty of interaction with the ingredients & food.
Enjoy food tastings and take home a detailed recipe folder. Bring a pen to jot down extra notes and tips.
Classes often book out quickly – I recommend reserving your place early. If a workshop is full, please contact me to be added to the waiting list.
As these workshops are limited in size, I’m unable to offer refunds or credits for cancellations. Please double-check the date when booking. If you’re unable to attend, you’re welcome to send someone in your place.
I am happy to arrange a payment plan if required – please email me.

Feedback

“Nicola delivers a clear message about eating well, with many revelations!… I like her simplicity & practical approach to cooking healthy food. Very helpful – I’m referring to the recipes all the time.”

“An excellent course, Nicola’s enthusiasm for her subject and encouragement was awesome.”

“The nutrition information added to a straightforward cooking class – it was more than I expected.”

“The course was excellent, up to date, and enthusiastically presented.”