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David Hay's love of fine food saw the introduction of Residential Cooking Schools both mid-week and on week-ends to Thorn Park Country House.

Using only freshest local produce of the highest quality, these humorous and entertaining classes make cooking fun, and of course you get to eat it  too!

Whether you enjoy Thai, Pastas or A La Carte, David will show you how to make food fun.  If you or a group of friends would like to do a cooking school, we can often arrange "special" schools for your preferences.

Contact Thorn Park about your special love in food and we will endeavour to please.

CALENDER OF EVENTS
March 2007 - March 2008

March 2007

Bundaleer Music Weekend

April 2007

Easter Long Weekend

May 2007

June 2007

July 2007

August 2007

September 2007

October 2007

November 2007

December 2007

January 2008

February 2008

March 2008

Special Events for 2007 - 2008

Residential Cooking Schools:

We offer a selection of residential cooking schools throughout the year. Our first classes were held nearly fifteen years ago and we have run an annual series of residential cooking schools ever since. Whether it is some of our favourite guest chefs, or David at the helm, the atmosphere is fun and light-hearted. The food style is fresh, simple and easy to prepare. The classes continue to be a combination of handson and demonstration with a maximum of ten participants. This year we have also included a very special weekend with Adelaide chef and author extraordinaire, Ann Oliver. Over one weekend she will prepare a sumptuous dinner on Saturday night and then conduct a demonstration cooking school the next day, followed by a relaxing luncheon. Stephanie Toole’s Mount Horrocks wines will be a feature of this weekend as well.  We also offer David’s ‘a la carte’ Cooking Schools - If you have a small group of friends, and would like to do a cooking course, we are often able to arrange a “special” school just for you. All we need is a minimum of four guests, and if we are able to fit one in, we will develop a program to suit you and your friends.  Phone David on 08 8843 4304

April 27^th – 29^th Weekend Cooking school

Vietnam revisited with David Hay 

Since travelling there in 2002, David can’t get enough of the flavours, textures and colours of this exciting and lesser-known cuisine. Related to Chinese cuisine, but using fish sauce (nuoc mam) instead of the more heavy Soya sauce, Vietnamese food is also influenced by Laos, Thailand and the French.  

Cost $575.00 per person (double/twin share)

May 29^th – 31^st Mid Week Cooking School

Contemporary Mediterranean food with David Hay  

Having spent time on the islands off the coast of Sicily and also some of the Greek islands, as well as mainland Italy and Greece, David has developed menus that utilise traditional recipes in a more contemporary way.

 Cost $550.00 per person (double/twin share) 

June 22^nd – 24^th Guest Chef Cooking School Weekend

Connie Rotolo from Bottega Rotolo  

Making her annual pilgrimage to Clare, Connie (and Fonz) returns again to Thorn Park to pass on her favourite recipes. From Adelaide’s leading purveyor of Italian produce, Bottega Rotolo, on Osmond Terrace, Norwood, Connie is a national treasure! David just loves to cook with her and her knowledge of ingredients can only be described as awe-inspiring.

Cost: $595.00 per person, double/twin share

June 29th – July 1^st Ann Oliver and Mt Horrocks Wines

Ann Oliver from The Independent Weekly & Galaxy Guides 

Undoubtedly South Australia’s Queen of the kitchen, Ann Oliver needs no introduction. This weekend will be the highlight of this year’s calendar.

Join us for a weekend of extraordinary food and wine. David will cook Friday evening and this will be followed by Ann’s dinner on Saturday night matched with current and older vintage wines from Stephanie Toole’s Mount Horrocks wines. On Sunday Ann will conduct a cooking class in the Barn using local produce. The day will end with a luncheon washed down with more Mount Horrocks wines. You are able to join us for some or all of the weekend. 

The options: (all prices per person, double/twin share)

• Accommodation Friday & Saturday, cooking school & lunch $675.00
• Accommodation Sunday, cooking school, lunch & dinner $325.00
• Cooking School and Luncheon only $99.00

All meals include wines & bookings are limited. 

 July 20^th – 22^nd Cooking School Weekend

Winter Menus with David Hay 

Food for Winter; some slow cooked dishes, some quick and easy numbers too! This will be a very eclectic class with lots of great dishes and wonderful flavours. There will be some outstanding regional produce to showcase as well. 

Cost $575.00 per person (double/twin share) 

 August 17^th – 19^th Weekend Cooking School

Sicily and the Aeolian Islands – David Hay 

After their holiday in Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and Southern Italy, David has returned with even greater love for the wonderful flavours and simplicity of this part of the Mediterranean’s cuisine. He met with cooks and chefs and has collected a lot of recipes that have inspired him to develop his own version of some of the dishes he sampled.

 Cost $575.00 per person (double/twin share) 

 September 14^th – 16^th Guest Chef Cooking School Weekend

Rosa Matto’s Italian Cuisine 

Rosa is an enthusiastic exponent of her Italian heritage and cuisine on both radio and television. Her joyful love of Italian food and sharing of her knowledge with others has led to her own very successful cooking school in Adelaide.  Rosa is a caterer extraordinaire and her blending of Australian produce with traditional Italian recipes has produced many outstanding meals.  

Cost $595.00 per person, double/twin share

October 2^nd – 4^th mid Week Cooking School

Great flavours for Spring with David Hay  

Time to come out of Winter hibernation, rattle the pans, and celebrate Spring in the kitchen.  Lighter food styles and new season’s produce, simple recipes and lots of wine! 

Cost $550.00 per person (double/twin share)

November 23^rd – 25^th Weekend Cooking School

Summer! with David Hay 

… Well a couple of days short but it’s nearly Summer! Fresh flavours, interesting recipes and no stress; it’s just the thing for Summer entertaining.  

Cost $575.00 per person (double/twin share) 

 January 29^th – 31^st Mid week Cooking School

Casual and Alfresco Dining with David Hay  

Our hectic lifestyles often mean that we have very little time for formal entertaining or cooking. Food that is easy to prepare, looks great and does not require hours in the kitchen is what many people are looking for. With Summer in the air, dining under the stars, by the pool or in the garden, it is suited to simpler food styles. All washed down with great Clare Valley wines. 

 Cost $550.00 per person (double/twin share) 

February 29^th - March 2^nd Guest Chef Cooking School Weekend

Rosa Matto’s Summer Italian Cuisine 

Rosa’s Summer classes are always a sell out, mainly because most students received the cooking class as a Christmas present! The food will be fresh colourful and simple. We dine outside, cook a lot, eat a lot, drink a lot and best of all, laugh a lot.  

Cost $575.00 per person, double/twin share  

 March 28^th – 30^th Mid week Cooking School

Contemporary Mediterranean food with David Hay  

Having spent time on the islands off the coast of Sicily and also some of the Greek islands, as well as mainland Italy and Greece, David has developed menus that utilise traditional recipes in a more contemporary way.

 Cost $550.00 per person (double/twin share)

All Year Round                                           

David’s “A La Carte” Cooking Schools 

If you have a small group of friends, and would like to do a cooking course, we are often able to arrange a “special” school just for you. All we need is a minimum of four guests, and if we are able to fit one in, we will develop a program to suit you and your friends.  Phone David on 08 8843 4304 

Cooking Schools:
Two nights accommodation, all meals, some wines with dinner, notes & materials or recipes and tuition.

 Sole occupancy
For guests requiring sole occupancy of a room, a surcharge of $75.00 per night is added.

 Cancellation
Cooking Schools are subject to a minimum number of participants, in the unlikely situation that we do not receive sufficient bookings we may cancel the event. Should this happen any deposits collected will be refunded.

 Deposit
A deposit of $25.00 per person is required to confirm a booking; deposits are not refundable unless the place is re-booked.

Some Special Dates to Remember

 March 23^rd – 25^th Bundaleer Music Weekend 

This will be the forth Bundaleer weekend and promises to be even more exciting than the last three (if that’s possible). Set in Australia’s oldest plantation forest, the weekend’s highlight is the Saturday twilight concert with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and tenors Teddy Rhodes and Simon O’Neil. More information on the weekend is available on www.bunderleerweekend.com.au

 Cost $595.00 per person (double/twin share) including two nights accommodation & weekend tickets to all events

May 4^th – 6^th Clare Valley Gourmet Weekend and Burra Antique Fair

The Clare Gourmet weekend is now in its 23^rd year – it’s truly ‘come of age’! Try all the new wines on Saturday or sip and eat your way around most of the valley’s wineries on Sunday. Our Gourmet Weekend package includes two nights accommodation with dinner and breakfast daily. 

Cost $525.00 per person (double/twin share)

June 8^th – 11^th Queen’s Birthday long weekend 

Come and spend three nights in the Clare Valley and curl up by the fire with a good book, hire a bike and ride the Riesling trail or visit the wineries and see how the vintage is progressing   

Cost $675.00 per person (double/twin share – three nights)

September 28^th – October 1^st Labour Day long Weekend 

The last chance to have a luxurious rest before the onset of the silly season - spend three nights in the Clare Valley, dine on Thorn Park’s  great food and try some of the newly released wines.   

Cost $675.00 per person (double/twin share – three nights)

December 24^th – 26^th Christmas at Thorn Park

 Thorn Park has created a tradition for a Christmas of peace and tranquillity. Memorable food, gentle companionship and a feeling of goodwill prevail. Our Christmas package includes two nights accommodation, traditional Christmas Eve dinner; superb luncheon Christmas Day followed by a casual evening meal and breakfast the next morning.  

Cost $595.00 per person, double/twin share.

December 31^st 2007 – January 2^nd 2008 New Year at Thorn Park 

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Thorn Park and be ready for a night of fun, food and frivolity. Party Hats and Glamour clothes! Our New Year package includes two nights accommodation, sensational New Year’s Eve Dinner; followed by a casual meal on New Year’s Night and brunch next morning.  

Cost: $550.00 per person, double/twin share.

March 10^th – 13^th 2006 Adelaide Cup long weekend 

The Adelaide Cup long weekend moves from May to March, so what better idea than to come spend time in the Clare valley during vintage. It’s early autumn, the weather should be stunning. Enjoy three nights accommodation with dinners and breakfasts daily. 

Cost $595.00 per person (double/twin share – three nights)

January 18^th – 20^th 2008 A Day on the Green at Annie’s Lane

Quelltaler vineyards at Watervale 

Following on the sell out success in 2005 & 2007, ‘A Day on the Green’ returns to Annie’s Lane at Quelltaler for another afternoon and evening of music. Package includes two nights accommodation, dinner on Friday night & breakfast both mornings 

Cost $450.00 per person (double/twin share)

February 21^st - 23^rd 2008 Shakespeare on the Lawns       

                                                (Thursday & Friday Nights)         

February 23^rd – 25^th 2008 Shakespeare on the Lawns    

                                                      (Saturday & Sunday Nights)

The Lawns at Sevenhill Cellars  

Join us for the Essential Theatre Company’s sunset performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on the lawns at Sevenhill Cellars. We have arranged for our guests to join in the fun, with tickets to the performance with refreshments and supper back at Thorn Park after the performance. The package includes two nights accommodation, dinner both nights & breakfast both mornings.

Please note that the first package is Thursday & Friday nights and the Second package is Saturday & Sunday nights 

Cost $550.00 per person, double/twin share

Sole occupancy
For guests requiring sole occupancy of a room, a surcharge of $75.00 per night is added. 

Cancellation
Special Event weekends & Cooking Schools are subject to a minimum number of participants, in the unlikely situation that we do not receive sufficient bookings we may cancel the event. Should this happen any deposits collected will be refunded.

 Deposit
A deposit of $250.00 per person is required to confirm a booking; deposits are not refundable unless the place is re-booked.