Bookings for Advertised Events
To book into an advertised event, select an event by looking at events available listed on What's On.

Send a request via email to essencefoodstudio@bigpond.com to see if there are still places available. You will be notified within 24 hours regarding availability.

Bookings for Private Groups (minimum 20)
If you wish to make a booking for a private group, look at the list of events available listed below. Then contact Essence Food Studio by phone on (03) 9742 3068 or email us on essencefoodstudio@bigpond.com to work out a date that would suit.

Generally, you would need a minimum of 20 for a private group.

List of events available at Essence Food Studio and Werribee Park for Private Groups

• Events at Essence Food Studio Minimum 20 maximum 24
  
  
• Events at Werribee Park Mansion Minimum 20 maximum 26
  
  
• Events at Werribee Park Historic Farm Minimum 20 maximum 30
  

Events Available

► Asian and Middle Eastern Cuisine

1. Exotic Thai Learn the art of combining the exciting taste sensations that are unique to Thailand – hot, sour, salty and sweet. One of our most popular events.
   
   
2. Indonesian Favourites from Bart’s Heritage From the famed ‘spiced islands’. Enjoy foods that Bart grew up with and a great awakening for your tastebuds!
   
   
3. Vietnamese (Good Moooooorning Vietnam!) Watch, learn and taste as Bart combines the very best and freshest vegetables and spices, all associated with Vietnamese cuisine.
   
   
4. The Spice of Life Amazing spice flavours (low in chilli), tasty and vivacious!  Bart presents a range of stunning recipes from the East coast of Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East.  This is Bart’s favourite spice night and one not to be missed!!!
   
   
5. Mystical Moroccan Enjoy the foods which best reflect the spirit of North African flavours. Wood roasted Chermoula salmon, Moroccan spiced chicken, kataifi pastry nests and more.
   
   
6. Northern Indian Feast The distinct blending of flavours, subtle spicing and wonderful fragrant aromas are sure to make this a very special evening for all. Spicy lamb kebabs with lime, Samoosa with date chutney and exotic Xacutti chicken.
   
   :: back to top ::
   
   ► Seasonal
   
   
7. Spring BBQ Feast A celebration of new season foods including wood fired oven baked frittata and succulent lamb with black olive butter. Master the chef’s techniques of using the Ima Forne wood fired oven, flame grilling and pan searing.
   
   
8. Summer Celebrations Barbecues, picnics, parties!! Make all those summer gatherings special using recipes that are fast, simple full of flavour and stunning! Herbed goat’s cheese tart, barbecued Chermoula lamb racks and summer cherry and berry clafoutis.
   
   
9. The Autumn Indulgence Bart harvests the finest foods from Victoria’s autumn crop and presents a selection of wonderful recipes for that very special occasion. Pumpkin soup with cumin and ginger, oven roasted lamb loins with Chorizo and olives, lemon curd in almond muesli pastry.
   
   
10. A winter’s Feast Serve up a heart warming meal. Lightly herbed celeriac and pancetta soup, parmesan chicken with sour dough mustard crust, fresh pasta and basil cream sauce, soft centred chocolate soufflé puddings.
    
    
11. Modern Christmas Feast Soak up the Christmas spirit at Essence. Learn how to create a luscious Christmas spread with the minimum of fuss. Smoked salmon on citrus potato, summer salad, Kahlua glazed turkey, soft centred chocolate pudding.
    
    
12. Jingle bells, luscious smells feasting all the way…With Christmas just around the corner this will be a very special evening. Bart prepares a full Christmas dinner with plenty of magic and surprises in store for all.
    
    
13. Outdoor Christmas Feast To celebrate the beginning of Summer and the festive season, Bart will demonstrate how to create a stunning Christmas feast that can be cooked outside using both the BBQ and woodfired oven.
    
    :: back to top ::
    
    ► Seafood
    
    
14. Sensational Seafood Learn innovate ways to prepare, flavour, grill and present Australia’s finest seafoods. This is a must for all seafood lovers!
    
    
15. Jewels of the Sea Learn how to prepare sizzling scallops in the shell, Asian style prawns, chilli mussels with gremolata and crispy skin snapper.
    
    
16. Seafood BBQ Learn how to prepare and cook our freshest seafood on the barbecue for those special occasions. Sizzling prawns and scallops, seared crispy fish with summer salsas! Wild Berry puddings with hazelnut semi freddo.
    
    
17. Seafood Treasures Crispy spiced calamari, barbecued prawns with chilli, lime and soy, grilled barramundi with oriental crust and black bean vinaigrette, lime and coconut tart with Carman’s muesli sweet crust.
    
    :: back to top ::
    
    ► Mediterranean
    
    
18. Coffee Culture Bart cooks up a delicious meal while you learn ‘coffee art’ from an expert – beans, frothing, plungers and coffee machines in action. Finish with Lindt chocolate and great Coffexx coffee. For all the coffee lovers!
    
    
19. Italian Dinner Party Uncomplicated classics from North and South Italy. Stunning antipasto, the lightest gnocchi with fresh pesto sauce, gremolata coated garfish with panzanella, liqueuered tiramisu. Simply stunning!
    
    
20. Mediterranean Magic Take yourself on a culinary journey sampling the delights from Italy, Greece, Spain and Turkey. One of our most popular events.
    
    
21. Mediterranean BBQ Learn the simple art of perfecting foods such as flame-grilled salmon with rosemary and garlic and barbecued cheddar polenta wedges with herbed flat mushrooms, marinated lamb kebabs with lemon and oregano.
    
    
22. Fire in the oven! Bart demonstrates the many methods of cookery from the outdoor Ima Forni wood fired oven from Florence. Three courses of Mediterranean style foods, all cooked in the outdoor oven.
    
    :: back to top ::
    
    ► Something Special
    
    
23. Starters and finger foods/Let’s Get into Party Mode! Forget the ‘sit down dinner’ create a wonderful selection of easy stylish foods to serve your friends at those much loved stand up gatherings.
    
    
24. Gorgeous Pastries Discover how easily you can make perfect shortcrust, sweet paste and shortbread. Golden tarte tatin, veal & sage pot pie, lemon curd tart, shortbreads & coffee.
    
    
25. Vegetarian Banquet Bart shows you how to create stunning vegetarian courses with superb flavours all designed to impress your family and guests.
    
    
26. The Perfect Pantry Bart lists the best ingredients to stock in your pantry to create stunning courses with the minimum of fuss, Spanish tapas, seasonal soups, Mediterranean risottos and fool proof desserts.
    
    
27. Belgium Beers and Smoking BBQs Learn the art of selection, marinading, basting and grilling our freshest fish, succulent beef fillet and the best herbed mushrooms. All matched with Belgium’s best beers (e.g. Shimay Blue, Duvel, St Beroit) wines also available.
    
    
28. Cooking Up a Storm Stunning but easy! Fresh Tassie oysters with Japanese dressing, roast spicy salmon with crisp prosciutto, baby spinach and roesti potatoes, seared veal fillet with chamomile braised fennel and passionfruit almond tart with lemon curd.
    
    
29. Chef’s Table is loaded with Bart's favourite market produce.  A leek, sage and cheddar tartlet, slow braised free range chicken with red wine and thyme, and delicious whisky roasted strawberries with rhubarb and meringue splinters.
    
    
30. "A Wee dram with the McBeeks!” Traditional Scottish fare. Bart is cooking from Alaine’s heritage and will be sourcing out some of the best recipes from the age old Scottish tradition. Lighthouse bring music, song and Scottish hilarity
    
    
31. ‘Love is in the Air’ Valentine’s Day Special. Enjoy a romantic evening at Essence. Bart will demonstrate stunning yet simple ‘love food creations for this special occasion. Each lady will receive a selection of Lindt chocolates and flowers.
    
    
32. The Secret Herb Garden Prepare to be inspired as Bart harvests his unique herb boxes and creates wonderful fresh winter recipes. Poached salmon with salsa verde and snow peas, wood fired lamb with Chimichurri and pears poached with lemon balm and tarragon.
    
    
33. Best of British Comedy Enjoy a fun filled night with live performances of hilarious Monty Python skits. Bart presents a modern version of British fare - Wensleydale cheese tarts, slow braised beef & Guinness under golden puff pastry, Bakewell tart with classic English custard and gin soaked berries.
    
    
34. “The Hawaiian Great Escape” Slip on the grass skirt, a Hawaiian shirt and a Lei, then indulge in a sumptuous Pacific Feast. Hawaiian layered crab gateaux with minted prawns and bloody mary shots, crisp roasted blue eye with a spicy coconut broth and a ginger, shaved coconut and coriander salad. Macadamia and pineapple ice-slice with autumn berries and pistachio fairy floss, Aloha!
    
    
35. Celebrity chef Gabriel Gatè* Come and join national television chef presenter Gabriel Gatè as he fires up the Essence kitchen and presents a range of dishes from his French heritage (dependent upon availability).
    
    
36. Bart’s Perfect Picnic Delicious things to “make and take”, on your special picnic outing, whatever the weather! Red braised pork belly, tarragon chicken with prosciutto and olives, rich double chocolate tart… yummy.
    
    
37. The Outdoor Kitchen enjoy the sensational delights of barbecued calamari served with fresh ginger mayonnaise. Master the skills of producing the perfect woodfired pizza using our Italian Ima Forni oven and finish with grilled summer figs with orange and honey vanilla semi freddo.
    
    :: back to top ::
    
    ► Events Performed at Werribee Park
    
    
38. Ghostly Gourmet Adventure Join Bart and the team in the Werribee Mansion kitchen as he fires up the old stoves and creates 19th century fare with a modern twist. Then enjoy the spooky comedy “What Was That?” performed in the Werribee Park Mansion.
    
    
39. ‘What Was That?’ This scary comedy play, is based on the true story of the Chirnside family who lived in the Werribee Park Mansion. Follow the actors throughout the house with the story unfolding as you move from room to room. Finish the night with sparkling wine and gourmet cheese platters in the upstairs saloon.
    
    
40. ‘Down to Earth’ a mixture of history, mystery and fun. Set in 1862, This unique play is performed in the historic farm buildings at Werribee Park. As guests you are welcomed as new workers to the farm. The ancient creature Black Anny, has been terrorising the farm so whilst you are having fun with your hosts, Joe and Esther, you have to keep on the look out for strange things happen.
    
    
41. ‘Down to Earth' dinner package with Shadowfax Winery For groups of 20-28, enjoy a rustic wood fired pizza, antipasto and delicious wines at Shadowfax winery followed by a performance of ‘Down to Earth’. Pre show dinner available at Shadowfax available. Contact Shadowfax on 97314420 to find out dates available.
    
    
42. 'Reckless in the Mansion’ The ultimate night of entertainment. Enjoy a feast in the Werribee Park Mansion kitchen as Bart fires up the old stoves. End the evening in the grand dining room to enjoy actor, David Reed performing the highly acclaimed play ‘Reckless’ by Victoria’s Christina Hindhaugh, based on the Australian poet, Adam. Lindsay Gordan. Includes original live music by Lighthouse. Dependent upon availability of David Reed.
    
    :: back to top ::
    
    ► Special Events with Theatre and/or Comedy
    
    Best of British Comedy Enjoy a fun filled night with live performances of hilarious Monty Python skits. Bart presents a modern version of British fare - Wensleydale cheese tarts, slow braised beef & Guinness under golden puff pastry, Bakewell tart with classic English custard and gin soaked berries.
    
    A Touch of Shakespeare Choose a food theme from above and to that we invite Kevin Hopkins (Australian Shakespeare Company) to perform a few of the best moments from Shakespeare and (with Lighthouse) music from Much Ado the Musical and more...

► Also:

• ‘What Was That?’ – (see Werribee Park Events above)

• The Ghostly Gourmet Adventure (see Werribee Park Events above)

• Reckless in the Mansion (see Werribee Park Events above)

• Down to Earth (See Werribee Park Events above)

* Gabriel Gatè visits Essence Food Studio five (5) times per year and may be
  available for private events.

:: back to top ::

Payment Options

[1] Credit card details (can be processed over phone).

[2] Direct deposit.
     Bank: ANZ; Account Name: Essence Food Studio; BSB 012-263;
     Account Number 3523 68888. Please quote the receipt number for our reference.

[3] Post a cheque to Essence Food Studio,7 Filippin Court, Werribee, Victoria 3030

Once payment is received, a confirmation will be sent via email. Please click here for more information on our Refund/Cancellation policy.

:: back to top ::