Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Self-taught cook Giovanna Castorina is preparing to launch a series of cooking classes, giving residents the opportunity to create restaurant-calibre meals from their own kitchens. Photo credit: Jacob Casha.
Burdekin local Giovanna Castorina has been turning simple ingredients into mouth-watering Italian dishes for years.
Now, she’s letting locals in on her secret.
The self-taught cook behind Giovanna’s Cucina in Home Hill is preparing to launch a series of cooking classes, giving residents the opportunity to create restaurant-calibre meals from their own kitchens.
Born out of regular requests from Facebook followers eager to learn her tricks, Giovanna will teach each class herself, imparting the culinary flair that has seen her business become a local favourite.
“A lot of people have been asking for it over the last couple of years,” she said.
“Every time I put something on my [social media] stories of what I’m cooking at home, everyone always messages and says, ‘can I have the recipe!’”
Classes will be hosted at her shop on Home Hill’s Eighth Avenue, offering a more intimate and hands-on experience to classes of six to eight people.
Each session will feature a rotating theme, with ideas ranging from fresh pasta and Italian feasts to midweek meals, slow-cooker dishes, beginner essentials—perfect for uni students—and a ‘husbands who cook’ class.
Giovanna says the goal is to share unique, cost-effective cooking ideas that can be easily adopted in the kitchen at home.
“Times are tough at the moment, and people aren’t going out to eat as much. They want to cook at home—but at the same time, finding ideas, or even just the know-how, can be tough,” she said.
“I want people to go home and try something they’ve never tried before, whether it’s crème brûlée, fresh pasta, or even just a midweek dinner that they never would’ve thought to do otherwise.”
Participants will prepare a three- to four-course meal, including an entrée, main and dessert, before sitting down to enjoy the creations and taking the recipes home.
Giovanna says each class will offer a fun, social experience, with private sessions also available for a ladies’ night out, workplace team-building session, or simply trying something new with friends.
The classes will be open to anyone aged 15 and over, with no prior cooking experience required.
Stay tuned to Giovanna’s Cucina’s Facebook page for further updates.
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