Cooking Classes

My Tauranga cooking classes have a strong focus on wood fired, out door cookery, especially in the warmer summer months.

Your class, your content and date

Grab a group of friends or work colleagues and get in touch.

Could be a work do, or a thank you to staff or a group of friends who want to gather together around some food

Contents and dates to suit yourselves.

Wonderful ways with seafood
Tapas style sharing plates
Summer salads
What’s in season in the garden
Relish and chutney

Book now

wood fired fun in 2025

Cooking with wood

Cooking using a wood fire and a charcoal grill
A selection of protein cooked simply and naturally
Preparing and cooking seasonal Vegetables

January 18th 2pm
January 19th 10am
January 25th 2pm
January 26th 10am
February 8th 2pm
February 9th 2pm
March 1st 2pm

$120 per person

Recipes supplied and food created is devoured
Classes approx 4 hours

Book now

one pot wonders

the simplicity of creating one pot meals
Tips and tricks for quick creative meals
Eating simply and well

November 9th 2pm
November 10th 10am
November 16th 2pm
November 17th 10am
November 30th 2pm

$110 per person

Recipes supplied and food created is devoured
Classes approx 4 hours

Book now

Celebration season

A time to remember and say thank you
Tips and tricks for the festive season
Simple satisfying fun festive food

December 3rd and 4th 10am
December 5th and 6th 3pm
December 10th and 11th 10am
December 12th and 13th 3pm
December 17th and 18th 10am
December 19th and 20th 3pm

$150 per person

Recipes supplied and food created is devoured
Morning classes have a celebration lunch
Afternoon classes have celebration dinner
4 person minimum

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FERMENTING AT TE PAHI

Introduction to salt and fermenting
Fermented vegetables
How to make vinegar
The first Sunday of every month

September 1st 10am
October 6th 10am
November 3rd 10am
December 1st 10am
2025
February 2nd 10am
March 2nd 10am

$110 per person

Recipes supplied and food created is devoured
Classes approx 4 hours

Book now

“We had a wicked time at James’ wood-fired cooking class!! We loved wandering around his garden, picking fresh produce, and learning the best ways to use a pizza oven and smoker. He shared many great tips on how to whip up delicious meals and we came away with lots of new recipes. James himself is an amazing guy and we 100% recommend booking a cooking class with Te Pahi!!”

Brydie and Joseph

I was gifted a voucher from my ex work colleagues at Waimakariri District Council for a cooking class with James Broad of Te Pahi. Some time had passed since receiving the voucher and James was really great about being able to use the voucher for an upcoming class. Being someone who dabbles a bit in cooking I was really looking forward to the class and I was not disappointed. The class covered a whole menu including gathering produce from James’s vast garden.

These ingredients were used in a variety of dishes with James guiding the class members in preparation of the produce and then encouraging us to each make part of the meal. I really like learning by doing and this was a great way to learn things about the various menu items. I am now pretty good at making flatbreads which was one of the items on our menu.

At the end of the class all class members sat together and ate the meal we had all helped create. I found the class really good with James being really knowledgeable and encouraging answering all manner of questions from the class members. I highly recommended these classes.

Kees Swanink

A group of 8 of us attended Te Pahi as a social club event in April.

We all had a variety of cooking abilities ranging from very little, to a couple of real foodies.

The entire experience was planned extremely well, very informative, relaxed, interactive, and genuinely fun.

Our host is an absolute man of passion that is a master of his craft.

The afternoon we spent was thoroughly enjoyed and the meal and leftovers were too 😊

Deborah R.

“James is executive chef at Ridge Country Retreat where he cooks for international Guests, wedding groups for up to 120 persons, corporate clients (where he also takes cooking classes) and for health and wellbeing guests who have special food requirements. James is a team leader and has a wonderful way with people of all ages. He is passionate about food and that shows in his presentation”

Jo – Ridge Country Retreat, Tauranga NZ

Had a great day at Te Pahi covering seasonal summer salads. great class, informative, fun and well put together. Thanks James

Pete and June