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16 comments

1. 16 Matt
   Jul 28th, 2008 at 9:45 pm

   I was recently given a voucher to the Wild Oak cooking school. Being a qualified chef, i was interested in the quality of the produce and the skill of the instructor. Ben’s experience is evident the moment you enter the class. It is clear, that he has picked up numerous skills from his travels and time in various, well respected kitchens. The produce was first rate and his lesson plan was well thought out to keep us all entertained through-out the class.

   I would recommend the Wild Oak cooking school to both novice chefs and also industry professional’s alike.
   Cheers

2. 15 Danica
   Jul 27th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

   The Wild Oak cooking school has played an integral part in rescuing my cooking skills from certain death. I attended the pasta workshop and was extremely impressed. Not only was Ben able to successfully teach me the the skills required to prepare pasta from scratch ( a miracle in itself!), but his class was aimed at people with defferent levels of experience. Instructions were easy to follow and group sizes allowed for sufficient individual as well as group activity steps. All in all a great experience! I now own a pasta machine and have since cooked sumptuous ricotta ravioli for my family! YUM

3. 14 Melissa Adeson
   Jul 21st, 2008 at 12:38 pm

   Not only is Wild Oak a fantastic place to eat, Ben the head chef and owner, is now ready and willing to teach all his tricks in a fantastic setting. It really is simple to make fantastic food, and with Ben’s tuition I can now make it at home no worries at all. Great for all levels from the baked beans only types to those who don’t collapse their soufflé. highly recomended.

4. 13 sam
   Jul 20th, 2008 at 8:31 pm

   the cooking school is a must do activity when in the dandenongs.
   i have been to many of them and i am yet to be disapointed. there is a class for all skill levels and interests. it is a very relaxed atmosphere (especially on thursdays !!) which makes it easier when i recreate the dishes at home. ben is very passionate about his food and this comes out in the many questions i ask (i am yet to stump him) thanks ben !!

5. 12 Hannah
   Jul 20th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

   The Wild Oak is one of the most amazing and delicious places ever great staff and a must eat!

6. 11 Michelle H
   Jul 20th, 2008 at 2:28 am

   Wild Oak is a wonderful place, whether is be for the friendly staff or the great food! Over the years i have come to love the place and people involved with the Wild Oak restaurant! I recommend that everyone should visit at least once!

7. 10 Kirsten
   Jul 18th, 2008 at 10:42 am

   The Wild Oak Cooking School is an innovative concept and extremely worthwhile. Ben makes cooking fun and has a natural teaching ability. He gave me a huge confidence boost.
   I only used to be able to heat up baked beans and make Toad in the hole.
   Now my partner can’t believe his eyes when he sees a real meal when he gets home from work!
   It has certainly brought a new dimension to our relationship!
   Thanks Wild Oak and most of all thanks Ben, you have truly changed my outlook on cooking! Not to mention a satisfied home life.

8. 9 rebecca
   Jul 17th, 2008 at 9:39 pm

   The team at Wild Oak are awesome, the food is brilliant and the atmosphere is gorgeous. Guaranteed you’l have a great night and your taste buds will be wanting more and more. Make sure you don’t miss the famous sticky date pudd mmmmmm……

9. 8 Lou Hesterman
   Jul 17th, 2008 at 7:36 pm

   Ben is a wonderful Chef, the Wild Oak Staff are friendly and know their food and wines, the Cooking School Ben is establishing rivals the Knapper Valley Cooking School in the US that has taken the Knapper Valley food and wineries to international status. Ben is passionate and very knowledgable about the Dandenong Ranges, as well as his expertise in food and wine, and I highly recommend the Wild Oak to all discerning food and wine buffs. 5 stars!

10. 7 Bill Martin
    Jul 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am

    It’s like finding a little bit of France in the Dandenongs( albeit with an Australian flavour). The cooking school is informative and fun with the opportunity to learn tips and techniques at the evening sessions and put them into practice on Saturdays. Chef Ben’s enthusiam and professinalism are infectious.

    As for the restuarant it is our favourite place in the Hills and a place that compares well with the upper echelons of Melbourne dining.

11. 6 melissa
    Jul 17th, 2008 at 9:50 am

    I had a great time! would recommend the Wild Oak cooking classes to anyone, you do have to be quick as the classes are small but i’m sure they can be run again. Ben makes learning to cook fun! It’s great value, and some time out for me!

12. 5 Leanne Chuter
    Jul 17th, 2008 at 9:20 am

    This is a resturant we have been going to for about 8 or so years. We were really impressed with the atmosphere and food so have just kept returning. At that stage Ben took over the resturant and we have since got to know he and Melissa quite well. We had my husbands 50th birthday at the resturant with about 25 guests and were really well looked after. Everyone that attended were very impressed with the quality of the food. I tell as many people as i can about this place because i know they’ll enjoy it as much as we do.

13. 4 Lee A
    Jul 17th, 2008 at 8:51 am

    Bens personality and wit are as intoxicating as the food and wine he serves in his classes a great night out in a beautiful setting and great value for money too

14. 3 Lisa Harding
    Jul 17th, 2008 at 8:32 am

    My husband and I had dinner at The Wild Oak a month ago and had the most beautiful dinner and evening. It was romantic, the food was great and the service friendly but not intrusive. Highly reccommend a visit. My husband and I are still talking about our evening there!
    Thanks, Lisa Harding

15. 2 Steve Foster
    Jul 16th, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    What a great class, i have been to several now and my skills and appreciation for cooking has grown in leaps and bounds. i have bought a gift voucher for my mothers birthday and she loved it too. Ben is charismatic, funny and very very insightful. its like being inside your favorite cooking show

16. 1 Jilly
    Jul 15th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    Wild Oak cooking school was simply fabulous! I have been on a Thursday fun with food and learned to make pasta from scratch - I now own a pasta machine! I then went onto A Saturday ‘tricks pof the trade’ class and learned to cook a fabulous four course Frnch dinner to impress. Ben, the teacher / head Chef was very patient, everything was ‘hands on’ and I never felt I was ‘doing it wrong’ I learned heaps. But best of all we ate the lunch with a glass of French Champagne in The Wild Oak restaurant and made new friends. Great fun, great value fro money.