The Classroom – Cocktail Degustation Series!

Once upon a time…..

I have been a fan of the Classroom ever since my first visit. It is seriously like walking back into your childhood with their nostalgic collection of school bags, netball hoops and class pictures and then perching yourself at a school desk while you enjoy a drink. Ahh yes, I suppose that’s the one key difference to when I was actually back at school. A lot less drinking then 🙂

Anyways though, I’m a big fan of the venue they have created and really love the food they are dishing out in the canteen. So recently when I saw they had announced their highly anticipated, inaugural Cocktail Degustation Dinner I couldn’t get my tickets fast enough. And as it turns out I am glad I acted with haste given that the 44 seats they had available were all snapped up in 48 hours.

I didn’t really know what to expect on arrival but guests were ushered through the secret door behind the bookcase in the wall (very cool) and into their function area to be taken on a night of fairytale adventure!

Through the twists and tales of the story we came across several fairytale superstars that formed an exciting and entirely delicious menu.

Up first was a fair maiden with only one shoe. That’s right, the first course was inspired by none other than Cinderella. A spin on the White Lady Cocktail, our introductory drink was a sight to behold as it appeared that Cinderella’s glittery glass slipper has slipped right into the glass! Almost too pretty to drink…… almost. It was so delicious! Great introduction.

Cinderella’s preferred means of transport formed the accompanying dish for this course and a ‘coach’ of pastry wrapped honey roasted pumpkin and chevre magically appeared. Served on asparagus spears with a lemon glaze with a decorative sprinkle of balsamic pearls, it was very, very tasty. Way to go Cinderella 🙂

And so the fairytale adventure continued and the next superstar to make an appearance was Snow White. The ’Poison Apple’ that she was given provided the inspiration for the divine green apple infused cocktail for course number two, complete with an entirely precious mini toffee apple in bright red adorning the top of the glass. Ahh toffee apples – they really know their old favourites and all the big kids enjoyed this drink.

On the food front, where would Snow White be without her 7 Dwarves? A shared plate of seven pork belly ‘dwarfs’, complete with artistic meringue hats and a stack of apple crisps. Yum! We were slightly speculative of how the sweet meringue would pair with the pork but it worked a treat! And I have a lot of time for apple crisps. Very tasty!

Now with two ladies dominating our first two courses it was time for the lads to step up and they did so in course three when Jack and his Magic Beans showed up. A house made concoction with Jack Daniels served in a beans tin. It was potent to say the least! Cannot fault the creative presentation though 🙂

Now when you think of Jack you think of bean stalks so as expected a dramatic green smear of broad bean puree had been smudged on the plate along with cider braised beef tortellini. The slow cooked beef tasted amazing and was well matched with the flavoursome bean puree.

We were somewhat surprised when Goldilocks rocked up next with our first sweet treat. ‘Goldilocks’ Brew’ was a honey infused whisky mix, complete with cinnamon stick and topped with a dehydrated blood orange and it came matched with the Classroom’s version of the infamous porridge – not too hot, not too cold, it was ‘just right’ 🙂 The dish included a white oats and quinoa porridge, a delicious semi freddo and a ‘just right’ honey joy. I hadn’t had a honey joy in forever! Reminded me of kids birthday parties where patty pans full
of honey joys and chocolate crackles were all the rage. I’m all for cereal inspired desserts 🙂

For the final course in our fairytale mission it was time to get hands on because Hansel and Gretel needed some help. So while sipping on a chocolate martini with popping candy we got to work with our DIY gingerbread house. We were provided with the gingerbread panels, a piping bag of icing to build our house and an interesting selection of lollies to pretty things up. It was fun, it was creative and it was delicious! I thought ours looked not too bad. I think I was helped by previous gingerbread house decorating experience I garnered at Christmas time. Unfortunately we didn’t take out the the ‘best house’ honours but I fully believe that we would have been a very close second.

What an amazing night! Creative cocktails, delicious food and we were taken on a magical journey via our story teller who helped to explain why each of the drinks had been matched with the selected dishes.

It’s something fun, it’s something different and I’d expect no less from the Classroom crew. They do great work.

These events are set to be held monthly, are $95 a ticket and are in hot demand. I believe their September event has already sold out but follow their Facebook page and get on board in October.

And we all lived happily ever after…..