What Are the Difference Between Cooking Classes and Sunday Workshops?
In short, the Cooking Class (Class) is usually a 9-week duration cooking class, whereas the Sunday Workshop (Workshop) is usually a one-off 5-hour workshop. Both are practical.
In Cooking Classes (Classes), except cooking demonstration in the first week, students will be learning all food and recipes by himself or herself. Students are required to bring most of the ingredients to the class (the list of ingredients will be given to students the week before).
Sunday Workshops (Workshops) are focused on specific areas and some are more like a quick one-off class. Still practical, and students are working in small groups. The school will supply all required ingredients.
Who can participate in classes and workshops?
Anyone who is interested in our classes and workshops are welcome to attend our class and workshop. Since we are a cooking school, we do ask for a minimum age of 15 years old for our general Cooking Classes and Sunday Workshops, except special classes and/or workshop designed for teenagers or even younger children.
For our beverages classes (and Food and Wine Matching Dinner), minimum legal drinking age (18 years old) is required. (ID proof may be requested).
There's no upper-age limit.
Commencement of Classes and Workshops and Timetable for Next Term:
We list all the time and dates of each class clearly on our class or workshop description. If you find a mistake in listing, please let us know. We will have the following term's timetable available before the end of current term.
Duration of Classes and Workshops:
Most Cooking Classes run for 2 1/4 hours each week for 9 weeks, however depending on the recipes. Some weeks may be shorter and some weeks may be slightly longer.
Cake Decorating Classes run for 2 1/2 hours for 8 weeks.
Native Australian Demonstration and Lunch is 4 hours.
Most Sunday Workshops are 5 hours duration (AM or PM)
Teenagers Holiday Workshops are 2 ½ hours daily (Monday-Friday or Saturday)
Special classes or workshops time are clearly indicated description.
Enrolment and Payment:
You can enrol by telephone, or fax, or mail to us with the enrolment form.
We can take your enrolment over the phone. Simply call us on (02) 9518 1066. Or fill out the enrolment form, then fax (02) 9560 2443 or mail to us.
Unless otherwise agreed by us, the place in the class or workshop will only be reserved for up to 7 days unless the payment is cleared. (We had quite a few people reserving places and never showed up.)
Payment Methods:
We accept payment made by cash, cheque, major credit cards (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, and China UnionPay), and EFTPOS.
If you wish to pay by credit card (American Express, Diners Club, JCB, MasterCard or Visa), we can take your booking over the phone, or you can fax/mail us the enrolment form, or pay it in person.
If you wish to pay by cheque, you can post the enrolment together with the cheque (payable to “PICS”), or visit us and pay in person.
If you wish to pay by cash or EFTPOS or China UnionPay (CUP), you will need to visit the school to make the payment to secure your place before the commencement of the class/workshop. Please do not post cash money or leave cash in the school letterbox.
Dishonoured payment will incur administrative fee of $20.00 (for bank charges).
Since 2010, we have waived all credit card surcharges. It costs you no extra to earn your rewards points with us. (Points earned through your rewards credit card issuing institute.)
Cancellation of Classes or Workshops:
The school reserves the right to cancel a course (or vary the duration of a course). Class or Workshop will run when the minimum number of students is reached. Classes or Workshops may be cancelled or postponed for any reasons beyond our control. If the school has to cancel a course, refund of the fee, free transfer to another classes, or alternative option will be offered.
Transferring Cooking Classes or Sunday Workshops:
In exceptional case, the school may agree in a “next term transfer”. Transfer fee of $50.00 (for Cooking Classes) or $40.00 (for Sunday Workshops) applies. Money is credited towards the class at time of enrolment so no refund will be given if you change your mind or due to personal circumstances.
Child Care:
For safety reasons, children cannot accompany students to the class. Occasional childcare is available at 4 locations near the school (address and telephone details will be provided upon request).
Class or Workshop Certificates:
After completing at least 80% of Class or Workshop, student may request for certificate for the Class or Workshop. Administration fee of $5.00 applies ($6.50 if posting is required).
Insurance (Disclaimer):
PICS hold full insurance, but cannot accept responsibility for misadventure or loss to person or property. If you feel that you need to, you may contract personal liability insurance for the duration of your selected course(s). For your safety and comfort we strongly recommend that you wear closed flat non-slip shoes in our kitchen.
Gift Certificates:
Gift Certificates are available for all of our Classes or Workshops. We also provide Gift Certificates for restaurant meals. The value of the gift (eventually select the class or workshop) should be decided in advance, or allow the recipient to choose their class(es) or workshop(s) or dinner. We mail out purchased Gift Certificates free of charge.
These certificates are not redeemable for cash in any circumstances.
Retail Range available at the school:
School bib apron (with pocket): $ 15
Assorted soft drink $ 1.20
Breakages & Equipment Malfunction:
In order to have equipment fixed or replaced rapidly, please report any malfunction to your teacher. To avoid any disadvantage to other class students, it’s strictly forbidden to ”borrow” and take any school equipment out of the school’s premises.
General School Rules:
For everyone's enjoyment and hygiene, the school is a strictly non-smoking place. The school has a BYO policy (beer or alcohol). For your own safety, it’s recommended that you drink in moderation. (Taxi can be ordered if needed.) For health and safety reasons, being drunk or disorderly behavior is not tolerated at the school, and we will ask you to leave school premises quietly. For a better future, we recycle paper, glass, plastic, aluminium cans and tins can.
Multiple Cooking Classes Discount:
If the student is enrolling for more than one cooking classes in the same school term, the student is entitle for 20% off second (or any subsequent) Cooking Class(es) of the lower (or equal) fee one. No discounts applies to Sunday Workshops or Practical Hospitality Classes.
Senior Discount:
Senior students with Seniors Card are qualified to claim a 10% off discount on enrolment fees (for card holders). This senior discount applies to Cooking Classes and Sunday Workshops. If a senior student is enrolling for more than one class, the senior discount only applies to the first class, and the second (or third etc) class(es) will receive Multiple Cooking Classes Discount (20% off) as mentioned above, the senior discount does not apply.
Exclusion: Seniors Card discount does not apply to Practical Hospitality Classes.
Please refer to Getting to the School page. If you are driving and relying on a GPS navigation device, please see the special notes for GPS navigation device users.
