Sharing a meal with friends is one of today’s most popular social activities. Now we've taken it a step further with our new Saturday night Quick’n’Delicious classes - a chance to combine a cooking lesson with a social Saturday night out. Kick off with seafood canapés and a glass of wine before whipping up three quick and delicious seafood dishes perfect for casual entertaining, then relax over dinner with another glass of wine. And to make it more like a dinner party, book a bench of six people for this class and only pay for five.

The cult of the celebrity chef continues to grow, and we know you want a chance to really connect with them, to pick their brains. We've also had requests for smaller classes, where you can cook in pairs, and we know that you're keen to try a range of wines with your meal. So we've introduced special dinner party classes hosted by leading chefs with a wine expert matching a different wine to each course. These classes have a more intimate format, with just 20 guests cooking in pairs under the chef’s guidance to prepare a three-course menu (including dessert!). Then you'll sit down at one long table with the chef and sommelier to enjoy the meal and discuss the food and wine. Coming up, Damien Pignolet hosts a French dinner party on 11 May with wine by Paul Boothby of Fine Wine Partners, and Alessandro Pavoni hosts an Italian dinner party on 19 June with wine by Giorgio De Maria of wine bar 121BC.

The School, now in its 22nd year, continues to attract a who’s who of the Australian food scene, with a line up including Ross Lusted (The Bridge Room); Chris Manfield (Universal); Brent Savage (Bentley Restaurant & Bar); Giovanni Pilu (Pilu at Freshwater); Justin North (Bécasse); Richard Ptacnik (Otto); Dan Hong (Ms.G’s); Dietmar Sawyere (Berowra Waters Inn); Stefano Manfredi & Gabriele Taddeucci (Osteria Balla); Stephen Hodges (Fishface); Ajoy Joshi (Nilgiri’s); Matthew Kemp (Montpellier Public House); David Thompson (nahm London & Bangkok); Warren Turnbull (Restaurant Assiette & District Dining); Matt Moran (Aria); Lyndey Milan (with Greek food and wine from her new book Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece); Frank Camorra (MoVida) and Phil Wood (Rockpool).

Little wonder that come May, the School’s gift certificates are the go-to Mothers Day gift for the Mum who has everything. Especially if you tell her you’ll be doing the class with her … giving a gift money can’t buy – a shared experience. They can be purchased and printed online or ordered over the phone.

And if you do book a class or order a gift certificate online you’ll go into the draw to win a a 4-rack Bradley Original Smoker with accessories, briquettes and 3 sides of Regal King Salmon, valued at $1060. (click here for details).