About this tour
When Charlie from our team did this private cooking class at their Hawke's Bay accommodation, Joe—a Michelin-trained chef who took out Chef of the Year honours back in 2013—showed up ready to cook. He runs the class in your own kitchen, teaching you his take on gastronomic fusion while prepping a full meal you'll eat together. It's three hours of hands-on time in a relaxed, social setup with proper wine and beer on hand. Joe's worked kitchens across the UK and brings that technical depth but ditches the pretence; he's genuinely keen to share regional flavours and cook alongside you rather than lecture from the sidelines.
Highlights
- Chef of the Year credentials without the ego or fancy-restaurant gatekeeping
- Cook in your own kitchen—no commute, no restaurant noise, totally private
- Full meal included and you actually eat what you've made together
- Joe sources local Hawke's Bay ingredients and explains his regional approach
- Cleanup handled post-service, so you're not stuck with the dishes
- Alcohol included; wine and beer paired naturally into the experience
- Wheelchair accessible throughout, prams and service animals welcome
What to expect
Joe arrives at your place and runs you through a menu he's tailored—fusion-style cooking that draws on his Oriental and European training. You're not standing back watching a demo; you're chopping, tasting, adjusting seasoning alongside him. The pace is unhurried; three hours means you've got time to actually learn technique rather than just clock-watch. He'll talk you through why he's doing something a certain way, what the region grows well, how flavours work together. Around halfway through, you'll sit down together with what you've cooked, pour a drink, and eat properly—this isn't a rushed tasting but a real meal shared with someone who actually cares about feeding people well.
The vibe is surprisingly relaxed for a chef of his calibre. He's not barking orders or treating your kitchen like a test kitchen; he's genuinely interested in where you're from, what you cook at home, what you're after. By the end, someone else has cleaned up and you've got muscle memory for a few dishes you can actually replicate at home.
What travellers say
- Legitimate chef credentials with zero pretension or formality
- Private, personalised experience in your own space
- Learn real technique, not just watch-and-nod cooking demos
- Full meal included with wine and beer throughout
- Joe actively tailors the session to your interests and skill level
- Proper cleanup post-service means you relax, not wash up
- Relies on your accommodation having functional cooking equipment
- Three hours moves fast if you're very ambitious with dishes
- Requires coordination to book time when Joe's available locally
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Joe's CV is genuinely impressive—this isn't a hobbyist squeezing in side gigs. His training in high-end kitchens shines through, but he keeps things accessible and fun rather than intimidating. You'll walk away with proper technique and a real understanding of Hawke's Bay produce. Small group (just you and Joe, unless you've invited friends) means the whole experience is tailored to your level and interests. Everything's included: groceries, drinks, cleanup. It's a genuinely smart way to eat well and learn something on a trip.
You need to supply a reasonably equipped kitchen—this happens at your accommodation, so if you're in a bach with minimal cookware, it might feel cramped. Three hours is solid but not unlimited; if you've got very ambitious menu ideas, you might run tight. Weather in Hawke's Bay can be changeable, though this is an indoor gig so it's not a dealbreaker. Accessibility is well covered—wheelchair users, people with prams, service animals are all catered for.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.