Cooking Experience McLaren Vale

You start by churning your own butter from scratch. Cream, a jar and a bit of shaking, and you have your own butter and buttermilk.
Then the gnocchi. Potato, flour and egg, worked lightly. We show you how much flour is enough, how the dough should feel, and how to roll, cut and ridge each piece so the sauce has something to hold on to.
Your gnocchi goes into the pan with your own butter, cooked to a nutty brown with sage crisped in the foam. Then everyone sits down at the long table and eats what they made, with a glass of something local.
Your ticket covers
All ingredients and equipment
Your gnocchi, cooked and eaten at the long table
A Hastwell & Lightfoot wine tasting
Dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice. Please arrive a few minutes early to settle in before the class begins.
Event Address: Hastwell & Lightfoot, 301 Foggo Road, McLaren Vale, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, 5171
Fleurieu Food and Wine is owned and operated by Jackie and John Mazzocato, locals with a love of all things food and wine! Jackie and John are a carefully curated pairing. John has over 40 years of experience in the wine industry, and Jackie has a passion for cooking and vast experience in recipe development and curation. With a wealth of good humour and expert knowledge, the tasting events they run are truly special, and approachable for anyone. Carefully selected pairings with layered flavours and house made accompaniments, your palates will be awakened and your tastebuds delighted!

The Ultimate Dumpling Making Experience is a hands-on cooking class designed for food lovers who want to learn how to make dumplings from scratch using proper technique and repeatable methods they can confidently recreate at home.
The experience begins with an introduction to dumpling styles and dough fundamentals. Guests learn about different types of dumplings, wrapper thickness, dough texture and how small adjustments in technique can dramatically improve the final result.
Guests are guided step by step through making dumpling dough, rolling wrappers and preparing flavour-packed fillings. You will learn how to handle dough correctly, achieve the right balance between filling and wrapper, and fold dumplings so they hold their shape and cook evenly.
Held at Hastwell & Lightfoot in McLaren Vale, the class is relaxed, social and highly practical, with plenty of time to cook, learn and ask questions throughout the session.
Once folded, guests learn how to cook dumplings properly using a range of techniques including steaming, boiling and pan-frying. Cooking methods, timing and heat control are covered in detail to ensure juicy fillings, tender wrappers and crisp bases where required.
Flavour balance and dipping sauce principles are explained during the class, with a sample sauce prepared and served at the end to demonstrate how dumplings should be finished and enjoyed.
The experience concludes with a shared tasting of the dumplings made during the class, enjoyed together in a relaxed and social setting. What You’ll Learn
• Dumpling dough and wrapper fundamentals
• Filling preparation and flavour balance
• Folding and shaping techniques
• Cooking methods including steaming, boiling and pan-frying
• Heat control and timing for perfect results
• Common dumpling mistakes and how to avoid them
• How to finish and serve dumplings properly What’s Included
• Fully hands-on dumpling making class
• Dumplings made and cooked during the session
• Demonstration and tasting of a dipping sauce
• All ingredients and equipment supplied
• Shared tasting at the end of the class
• Recipe booklet to take home
• Aprons provided
Whether you are new to dumpling making or looking to refine your technique, The Ultimate Dumpling Making Experience is a practical, fun and confidence-building class that delivers real skills, great food and a memorable day out. Important Information
Dietary requirements can be accommodated with prior notice.
This class involves hands-on cooking.
Please arrive a few minutes early to settle in before the class begins. Location
Hastwell & Lightfoot
301 Foggo Road, McLaren Vale SA 5171


Hastwell & Lightfoot is a family-owned cellar door in McLaren Vale, with views across the vines and a relaxed, light-filled space that suits hands-on cooking and a long shared table.