Willow Vale Cooking School has opened its doors; set on eight acres in the Gold Coast Hinterland, in a beautiful 130-year-old heritage Queenslander and surrounded by luscious green hills. The school is owned and run by Bruno and Catherine Loubet, who returned to Australia from the UK, at the end of 2017, to pursue their dream of opening a bespoke cooking school.
Bruno spent more than 40 years running kitchens in London, France, and Australia working with world-renowned chefs. Becoming a legend in his own right, he received Michelin stars, published three cookbooks and has made several television appearances throughout his career. Bruno’s cooking style is rooted in his beliefs towards a more sustainable lifestyle and inspired by his experiences growing up in France, where, from a young age, he learned to grow his own produce and tend to his animals. This combined with the couples extensive travel experiences has shaped the vision for Willow Vale Cooking School.
Bruno is a passionate gardener and has created an extensive vegetable garden based on the principles of Hulger Kulture. The workshops are planned around the garden calendar and tailored to the seasonal vegetables, reinforcing Bruno and Catherine’s beliefs around living a more sustainable lifestyle. In each intimate workshop, Bruno will cook in front of guests while offering tips and tricks of the trade. Students will have the opportunity to get involved by helping Bruno or stand back and enjoy if they prefer.
Guests will then be seated for a lunch hosted by Catherine and Bruno to feast on the delicious dishes made during the workshop. Willow Vale Cooking School will also send students home with a goodie bag which includes recipes from the class, a Willow Vale apron, Willow Vale Cooking School honey, and homemade infusions.
