Welcome to
Tamara’s Kitchen
THE NEW HOME OF BOATSHEDCHEESEMAKING
Our Story
Tamara has been involved in Melbourne’s vibrant food scene for over 30 years, specialising in cooking classes from her Tooronga Road school since 1985, authoring several cookbooks and appearing weekly on Melbourne radio’s “Grape Expectations” wine and food show each Sunday.
Tamara’s first food love was bread-making and since 1989, Tamara has taught thousands of her students how to make delicious bread as well as cakes, risotto and so much more. Her love of food has taken her to France where she has taught and then escorted gourmet ‘foodies’ to France to learn more about the food and lifestyle of this popular destination.
After the French stint, Tamara began a journey into cheesemaking and founded “BoatShed Cheese” – an artisan producer of hand made cheese on the Mornington Peninsula. During Covid, Tamara revived her passion for sourdough bread and delivered weekly sourdough boxes to delight her students who could not attend ‘face to face’ classes.
In addition to a new cookbook, Tamara has re-invigorated her Melbourne cooking school on the Mornington Peninsula and will soon be partnering with Peninsula Fresh Seafood under the new name “Peninsula Gourmet Cooking School”. Using the best local produce to showcase her easy, fuss free and approachable style of cooking, classes are held on evenings and weekends in a brand new purpose-built facility in Dromana. All classes include a folder with notes and recipes, local wines to taste, generous tastings of the food prepared or lunch depending on the class topic. Choose from cheesemaking, sourdough bread making or a range of seafood classes.
The small classes of 12 participants are convivial and welcoming and everyone has a front row seat. Tamara’s classes can also be purchased as a gift voucher for the food lover in your life!
Cooking Classes
Tamara is well known for creating easy, approachable recipes to share with her students and it’s kept them coming back time and time again.
Culinary Adventures
An unforgettable experience! Come and taste the world on one of our upcoming tours.
Gifts
Looking for the perfect gift? Why not select one of Tamara’s cookbooks, or for the gift that keeps on giving – a cooking class voucher!
Testimonials
What People are Saying
I have already booked my next trip!!
“My first trip overseas without children or husband and what an absolutely wonderful and unforgettable experience it was, due in no small part to Tamara of Boatshed Cheese. Her expertise, patience, guidance, and recommendations, and the little extra touches she planned for us every step of the way, combined to make this one of the most enjoyable travel experiences of my life. I would heartily recommend Tamara of Boatshed Cheese to anyone contemplating a gourmet tour.“
Sarah, Melbourne
Adventure of a lifetime!
“…the perfect trip away for anyone interested in food and cooking and Tamara was always there to coordinate everything for us. I have learnt so much, and made new friends along the way. Tamara, thank you for the food adventure of a lifetime!”
Sue English-Donkers, Melbourne
A dream come true!
“…the most fantastic culinary adventure I have experienced! I cannot express strongly enough, how much I recommend Tamara and the expert team she has put together to plan our Culinary Journey through the finest regions of France. This trip was a dream come true and I look forward to the next!”
Laura, USA
Stay in touch
Find out more about all the different cooking classes and stay up to date with new classes and adventures by signing up here.