Best Breakfast Spots Adelaide hills

When a menu speaks to me…it’s like coming home. And with a name like Sticky Rice Cooking School it’s not hard to work out what food language we speak. So when I first set eyes on the menu at FRED Eatery I felt a massive hallelujah moment!

HAPPINESS IN A BOWL!
Barbecued pork belly, kimchi, chilli caramel, omelette with peanut & mint salad.

INDIAN EGGS
Lightly spiced scrambled free range eggs with roti, roasted cumin and snow pea tendril salad.

HOT & SOUR NOODLE BROTH
Poached chicken and a spinach, coriander salad.

STICKY BLACK CHICKEN
Yellow Thai curry dressing, coconut & lime leaf rice, Asian greens, pickled carrot & peanut salad.

CRISPY MASTERSTOCK PORK BELLY BURGER
Lightly pickled slaw, fried shallots, spiced coriander, Sriracha & lime aioli and a brioche bun.

need I say more?….well yes.. I will.

I recently went for a run with a friend, stopped for a cup of tea at FRED’S, got tempted by a delicious Persian tart with almonds and pistachios and had to run the long way home!

FRED Eatery is located in Aldgate Village in the Adelaide Hills so that’s about 22 mins from the CBD. Their approach is to provide fresh, vibrant comfort food, utilising locally sourced produce, in a welcoming contemporary setting. And it’s not just Asian fare people : It’s just me that skips over anything that is not.

FRED Eatery has basically been kicking goals since first opening over 4 years ago, getting 5 star reviews, keeping its menu interesting, its customers hooked and featuring heavily in Top Foodie Lists in South Australia. And that, my friends, is because it rocks!

Believe it or not there is no FRED behind the counter so I am tempted to ask who is FRED?
Is he a Chef, an Artist, an Interior Stylist or a Coffee Guru? Maybe he is all these things, because all of these qualities are reflected superbly in this eclectic café which simple states it serves all day breakfasts, casual lunches, sweet treats and our own house blend coffee! That’s a bit understated in my opinion.

In addition to daytime, you should know that they also do fantastic Friday dinners with even more surprises on the special boards and can cater for up to 100 guests either at your place or theirs.
They also regularly host Art Exhibitions and have a changing display of inspiring artefacts adorning the walls and mezzanine lounge, library space and private dining areas.

So yes, they do give me ‘Happiness in a Bowl’ but more than that the place and its people are as warm and welcoming as you could ever want from a home from home.

So you should go there and spend time with Fred… whoever he is.

Visit Adelaide Hills Hahndorf Hill Winery Sticky Rice Cooking School Beerenberg FRED Eatery Stanley Bridge Tavern Cocos Hair and Day Spa Bird In Hand Winery The Lane Vineyard Red Cacao Chocolatier Udder Delights Lot 100 – Adelaide Hills Locavore Adelaide Hills

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December 17, 2019

Day Spas Adelaide hills

Set in a 120 year old stone home in the heart of Stirling, Cocos Hair and Day Spa is changing lives for the better.

That may sound dramatic but when you think about the lift in your mood and self esteem that you get, when you have a new hairstyle and colour, when you love what you see in the mirror, when you suddenly have more Insta posts to share, then I don’t think you can disagree.

My life changes for the better when I am physically and mentally rejuvenated and my body loves me when I give it some TLC payback for all the hard work that it does for me.
It’s hard to find something else in life (other than illicit substances I assume) that can transform you mentally and physically in such a short space of time. Coffee and chocolate spring to mind of course but even the kids’ haircuts include frothy hot chocolate and a cute little biscuit on the side at this establishment.

Coco’s Day Spa can lift that mood just a little higher than most. They specialise in indulgent spa services, can customise your massage, top with champagne and strawberries and finish with Red Cacao Chocolate and you have yourself a recipe made in heaven. Take it from me you will sip and savour these sumptuous treats while your body composes a gratitude list for you.

You’ll find Cocos Hair and Day Spa in the heart of Stirling which is only 1.5km from the Sticky Rice Villas, thus perfect to include in your luxury escape to the Hills.

When you walk in the door you will get an immediate feeling of love, it’s a warmth that wraps around you and sort of invites you to stay.
If you head up the gorgeous wooden staircase you will find their luxurious Day Spa with warm towels and hot body wraps, bubbling hydro spa and candle lit ambience just waiting for you …or two. The lighting is soft, the voices are soothing and the treatments are next level.

This is special and I mean special, so you too can change someone’s life for the better. You could buy them a Cocos Hair and Day Spa gift voucher for Christmas and wrap it up with a big warm hug.

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December 17, 2019

Cooking and Staying in the Adelaide Hills

Over the last week, we have been highlighting the many fabulous experiences that are so close to us at Sticky Rice Cooking School so that you get a chance to start planning that Hills escape.

We would love to get you started by introducing our Zen Villa which is our largest of the 3 villas. Plus a cooking class with Peel St Restaurant Chef Phil Helyard on 19th April 2020.

This prize package is what we call our Short Cook and Stay package worth $640 but when you purchase one of our Gift Vouchers you can put any dollar amount, class amount or package on it for your loved ones.

We think they will love it any which way you chose!

The Zen villa has a feel of decadence and romance with its moody decor, a stand alone bath in an open plan bedroom and an indoor shower under the branches of ancient pine trees.

Used by our prestigious guest chefs ( including Tetsuya) this suite has its own north facing sunny courtyard housing a top of the range BBQ and a Jag kitchen with 3.5m island bench.

In the lounge, the sheer indulgence of black leather sofas are complimented by sleek black and white décor.
Huge spherical pendant lights create mood and drama and evoke a wow factor response.

In the bedroom, flowing sheer curtains create intimacy around the king sized bed, while the eye is drawn immediately to the elegant stand alone slipper bath with its over head pendant lighting. Adjoining the bedroom the en suite’s large format Italian tiles accentuate the size of the indoor / outdoor bathroom.

Like all our villas, the Zen Villa has relaxed outdoor seating , underfloor heating and remote control block out blinds.
It also has the additional convenience of a laundry with washer and dryer and is perfect for our longer stay guests.

Zen Villa is a design statement offering a spacious 2 roomed 70m2 of indoor living area , a private walled outdoor courtyard. Floor to ceiling glass allowing views of the garden and connection to the outdoor living spaces.

It’s award winning architecture in the Adelaide Hills and best of all its 20 steps to the cooking school!

If you like this restaurant inspired menu for the day then this could be the best prize for you.

Vietnamese grilled beef with lemongrass and chilli sauce.

Chargrilled Squid w green chilli nahm jim, bean sprouts, mint, coriander, fried garlic,shallots and chilli.

Thai Red curry duck, lychee and pineapple.

Crispy fried fish fillet w chilli jam coconut cream and green papaya salad.

You will be led through all the preparation and cooking by Peel Street Chef Phil Helyard. You’ll be pounding galangal and creating your own Gia Vi and learning from a true professional you will pick up so much more than just reading a recipe at home.

Its a 4 hour cooking and dining experience for 2 people.
Our Cook and Stay packages also includes a bottle of wine on arrival in your villa, breakfast provisions and a take home Sticky Rice apron and recipes so you can cook it all again at home.

If you love the sound of this package, then put it on your gift list this Christmas and stick it up the chimney so Santa knows!

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December 17, 2019

Beerenberg and Sticky Rice Villas

Sticky Rice Villas is neighbours with this iconic Adelaide Hills business, so we suggest you pop in and see them while staying with us.

The Beerenberg story reads like a story book…
“Almost 200 years ago, our ancestors, George and Anna Paech and their young family embarked on a courageous journey from their home in German-speaking Prussia to South Australia, a land they knew little about, on the other side of the world.

They were willing to take the risk because they dreamed of a happy life here, free to farm and build prosperous and healthy lives for themselves and for future generations.
They were fortunate to settle on land in the Adelaide Hills, which offered nutrient rich soil with gentle north-facing slopes, perfect for growing fruit and vegetables.
They worked hard over the years, seeing themselves as stewards of the land, whilst cultivating their craft of food production.

In 1970, our parents, Grant and Carol, made the decision to concentrate on growing strawberries. Grant infused the traditional farming practices that had been handed down to him through the generations and his deep knowledge of the land with new technology and techniques to produce the most spectacular tasting berries. He had inherited a commitment to excellence and spent many decades perfecting the art of strawberry growing, which he then handed down to his son, Robert, who now grows all of our strawberries.

The first batch of strawberry jam in 1971 was the start of Beerenberg as we know it today, a thriving family-owned farm, tourist destination and manufacturer of the best tasting jams, chutneys, sauces and dressings.
Six generations later, we, the Paech family, still 100% own, farm and live on the property, which is now known as The Beerenberg Family Farm. “

Visit Adelaide Hills Hahndorf Hill WineryS Sticky Rice Cooking School Beerenberg FRED Eatery Stanley Bridge Tavern Cocos Hair and Day Spa Bird In Hand Winery The Lane Vineyard Red Cacao Chocolatier Udder Delights Lot 100 – Adelaide Hills Locavore Adelaide Hills

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December 17, 2019December 17, 2019

Day Trips in the Adelaide Hills

The Lane Vineyard, near Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills, is where the Edwards family traditions of continuity, care and contemporary wines, in an ancient landscape begin.

It’s 400 metres above sea level and its cooler climate is ideal for growing grapes destined to become wines of distinction. They produce 24,000 cases per year and have some of the most amazing wines in their collection. We have served these wines at the cooking classes and they are definitely food friendly.

The Lane Vineyard take sustainability seriously and the grapes are hand picked or carefully machine harvested in the cool hours of night and delivered a distance of as little as 10 metres to the winery door. There are no food miles here.
They have adopted a range of cleaner production practices in the winery to improve the quality of the wastewater including utilising an ozone generator to sterilize barrels and tanks rather than using caustic chemicals. This results in ‘cleaner’ wastewater that is treated on-site in an aerobic system, polished, then returned to the vineyard as irrigation water.

They are actively reducing energy emissions through a state of the art cooling system and energy efficient lighting throughout the winery, dining and tasting room. They bottle and package wine using recyclable materials and are constantly looking for ways
to reduce supply chain waste.

For the visitor the place is picture perfect. The cellar door and expansive deck looks out over stunning vistas of their vineyards.

Their restaurant, led by Chef James Brinklow, has been hatted two years in a row and this year was voted Best Vineyard Restaurant by the Australian public. Wow!

This is my absolute ‘go to’ for great food in the Hills and the vineyard setting, service and clean contemporary décor of the restaurant is just perfect. Its just 15 mins from us at Sticky Rice Cooking School.

There are many excuses to visit the lane Vineyard throughout the year with their rolling calendar of events and special offers which are always posted on their Facebook page.

For instance from now until Christmas Eve they are offering complimentary Estate Tastings to all Tasting Room visitors. Each month they also give away a mixed case of Lane wines valued at $300 to a member of their ‘friend of the Lane’ club and their Crush event on 25th and 26th Jan 2020 is fabulously entitled Hamptons in the Hills. You can enjoy tasty seasonal fare while you lounge to music on the scenic terrace or participate in lawn games nestled between our Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc vines.

The Gathering experience is when you get to experience the luxurious pleasure when chef and vigneron are in harmony. Yes please maestro!

Take a seat and enjoy a heightened discovery of The Lane’s flagship Occasion and Heritage wines thoughtfully complemented by creations from the chef.

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December 8, 2019December 8, 2019

12 Top Adelaide Hills experiences that collaborated with Christmas Gifts

Day 1.

We are very excited to kick off our 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways with an iconic Adelaide Hills business that has the biggest heart and the nicest people working there. I met Larry, Marc and Dee from Hahndorf Hill Winery when I first opened Sticky Rice Cooking School 11 years ago. I basically went knocking at their cellar door to introduce myself as a new local business owner and to discuss how we could perhaps collaborate and support each other. I received the warmest welcome and kindest words of encouragement which, for a new kid on the block, was so very much needed and appreciated. We soon starting serving their beautiful food friendly wines at our cooking classes and including their rare chocolate finds in our Cook and Stay packages. We then had the pleasure of collaborating on a Crush event with them at their place where we catered for their dinner guests and spent a hilarious night enjoying the entertainment of the stand-up comedian. In the true style of a small boutique business Larry and Marc worked the floor with us and we all pitched in with the washing up. Needless to say I love my job and love working with these big hearted humans!

At Hahndorf Hill Winery they are on a journey to introduce into Australia the wonderful, food-friendly grape varieties of Austria.

Their boutique vineyard is located at the edge of the historic, German-heritage village of Hahndorf in the beautiful Adelaide Hills of South Australia.

Here they are growing and pioneering the Austrian grape varieties of Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner, Zweigelt and St Laurent. They also produce the cool-climate classics for which the Adelaide Hills wine region is renowned – Pinot Grigio, Shiraz and fresh, dry Rosé.

The ChocoVino experience at Hahndorf Hill Winery matches their boutique wines to the world’s most acclaimed chocolate and they are giving our winner a $50 voucher for this fabulous experience.

Their ChocoVino experience has been included in CNN’s ‘Top 10 global adventures for chocoholics’, and it also ranks in the ‘Top 10 food and wine touring options’ of South Australia. Qantas magazine and Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine have also rated ChocoVino as one of Australia’s best cellar door experiences.

ChocoVino is based on the concept of terroir, and it allows you to take your tastebuds on a journey of discovery while learning about gourmet chocolate and fine wine in a fun and informative way.

You can taste superb chocolate from top chocolate houses in Australia and France, which source their cacao beans from prized plantations around the world including home-grown Australian cacao.

https://www.hahndorfhillwinery.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/HahndorfHillWinery

To enter for a chance to wine. Tag Hahndorf Hill Winery and tell them what you love about them and share this post.

Winners will be announced 23rd Dec 2019 and you can enter every day for the 12 days of Christmas.

December 3, 2019December 3, 2019

Christmas Giveaways

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Our last competition gave the winner a 2 night luxury stay in our Balinese Villa and now we have even more…

We have just announced our social media Christmas Competition and are so excited to have collaborated with other iconic Adelaide Hills operators so that we can give away a fabulous Hills experience every day for 12 days.

All the details are on our facebook page/event and you can enter as many times as you like over the 12 days.

We are kicking things off on 9th December with a very special giveaway..

We have Udder Delights, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Fred Eatery, Stanley Bridge Tavern, Lot 100, Cocos Hair and Day Spa, The Lane Vineyard, Bird In Hand Winery and of course Sticky Rice Cooking School all ready to go.

To get involved head over to to our face book page.

Facebook page and Competition details

Indian Banquet Cooking Class

We are pleased to announce the return of Chef Brian Smith to the Sticky Rice kitchen on 8th February 2020 when he will be holding a special cooking event focusing on Indian cuisine.

Indian food is so delicious and can be extremely healthy however few of us can actually nail the flavours, decipher the spices or succeed with this cuisine at home.

Brian Smith, a chef of over 40 years, has lived and traveled extensively in India and what he doesn’t know about his subject is frankly not worth knowing.

You can join him for a 1 off class on Saturday 8th February 10am-2pm including lunch.

Indian Banquet Class Menu and Tickets

next time ..we are creating a perfect Christmas recipe list for you and will share all the recipes in our next newsletter 16th December. Until then..good luck in the competition everyone and Happy Christmas from the Adelaide Hills xx

November 25, 2019December 3, 2019

Competition Time

Need a pre Christmas break? We would love you to come and stay with us in the luxury of our Balinese Villa for 2 nights and enjoy some of the wonderful activities that the Adelaide Hills has to offer.
Did you know that not only do we have 50 cellar doors in the region, we have day spas, bike hire and walking trails, markets, orchards, pick your own cherry and strawberry farms, gourmet food producers and inspiring cooking classes. We have stunning scenery, wildlife parks, a zoo, Mount Lofty Botanical gardens, wetlands, Belair National Park, tennis courts, yoga studios, golf courses, art galleries, museums, guided walking and bike tours, chocolate makers, cheese makers, zip lining and abseiling and even our own fringe festival!
The Sticky Rice Villas are smack bang in the middle of all this, so if you deserve a break, then come and stay with us and start to explore. Our mid week multiple night stay is worth $320 per night and we are giving away a 2 night stay for 2 people. All you have to do is tag a business in the Adelaide Hills that you would like to visit as part of your mini break and share this post. Remember to tag the actual facebook business name so they know you love them.
Winner will be drawn at random and announced on 30th November 2019. Stay dates 9th and 10th December 2019.

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November 20, 2019

Newsletter Nov 21st- Competition Time

Dear Food Lovers,

In this news update we are giving you all a chance to win a luxury escape in the Adelaide Hills and a 2 night stay in our Bali Villa.

PLUS

We have just announced a brand new Indian Class which will take you on an exotic culinary journey with Chef Brian Smith who is back in the kitchen for a one off class on February 8th.

PLUS

Final tickets are on sale for the Soi38 Master Class – Last month Chef Terry Intrarakhamhaeng just won Winner of Best Thai Restaurant at the National Savour Awards for Excellence 2019 and we are giving you the chance to do a hands on cooking class with this guy! 1 class only Sunday 9th Feb.

PLUS

We have some availability still to run a private class for you leading up to Christmas if you are still thinking of a corporate or family event. We can do this as a demonstration or hands on class or even just cater for you in our private dining room which seats 30. email any enquiries or give us a call 8339 1314 admin@stickyricecookingschool.com.au

THANK YOU PEEL STREET

Despite the 40 degree heat our degustation Dinner with Peel Street Chef Jordan Theodoros was such a great night and we thank everyone for coming.

For these events we transform our dining room into an intimate restaurant setting for 30 people and each dish then becomes a cooking demonstration class while you sit back and watch and sip your matching wines. We invited Ben Warren from Som wine merchants to educate us on the best wines to match the food and Jordan’s food once again spoke volumes about his talent.

Our next dinner event is in 3 weeks with Africola Chef Duncan Welgemoed and Hentley Farm wines and we can’t wait to do it all again! Here are some pics of last night.

We have a 2 night break just waiting for you in our Bali Villa and it could be yours for free.
Check back into our Facebook page this Friday 22nd Nov and enter our pre Christmas competition and you could be spending a much needed 2 night break in our very own Bali Villa.
Here are some great ideas for your stay.

Spend the day exploring part of the scenic Heysen trail or hike Mount George both of which are on our doorstop, then come home to the villa and have a long soak in our Balinese tub.

Visit a few of the 50 cellar doors in the region and bring home some cheese and wine to enjoy under the stars in your very own ambient lit Bali Hut.

Take a 15 min drive to the historic township of Hahndorf where you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon strolling through the main streets and then picking your own strawberries at Beerenberg Farm. Plan a picnic high tea for the afternoon at the Mount Lofty Botanic gardens 5 mins from the Bali Villa. Pick up a few gourmet foods along the way and come home to enjoy your top of the range kitchen.

Take a short walk to Stirling and have a coffee and chocolate treat at Red Cacao Chocolatier. Bring some home to enjoy while lounging in front of the TV on the enormous Balinese day bed.

Plan lunch with friends at the Mount Lofty Ranges Vineyard or the The Lane Vineyard for stunning vistas and award winning cuisine. Invite your friends back to the Villa for teas, coffee and chat.

Book a private master class for two with us at the cooking school and enjoy having expert tuition from a professional chef all to yourselves. We offer a 3 course lunch class and you chose the menu! Enjoy the matching wines without the need to drive home!

Pamper yourself at Cocos Hair and Day Spa in Stirling or book a private couples massage in the Villa. We can also organise Champagne and chocs or a gourmet platter to accompany this!

Head out for breakfast at FRED Eatery in neighboring Aldgate and on the way back pop into Aptos Cruz Galleries and gIft shop. Hire some bikes for the afternoon and head out to Woodside and meander the easy Amy Gillet Bikeway which takes you through stunning counrtyside scenery. For the braver adventurer go downhill mountain biking through the Mount Lofty ranges with Will Ride tours!

Or for even more ideas, golfing, wildlife, zoos, markets and more head over to our Adventure in the Hills page of our website.
Details will be posted Friday 22nd Nov
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!