It's probably safe to say that most Sydney foodies are well aware of Fratelli Fresh. And many regularly travel to one of the city's inner-city suburbs to shop, eat and meet friends at this smart establishment.
Once purely industrial, Waterloo is now a shopper's paradise. Cafes, antique stores, home decorating outlets and galleries make it a destination for those wanting something a little different.
In conjunction with Electrolux, Fratelli Fresh has extended its fruit, vegetable and gourmet delicacies into free cooking classes, and Catriona Rowntree couldn't wait to join one.
Chef Andy Bunn, who trained in Europe, conducted Catriona's class. He likes to demonstrate simple dishes that can easily be reproduced at home, always using fresh, seasonal produce. He also passes on tips to save time and money.
Andy's classes are designed to break old habits and experiment with new foods. Some people return again and again. And why not? Classes are free.
They supply all the food and you can either eat what you've cooked at the end of the class or take it home. Andy changes the recipe every month and has a 10-page spread in Vogue Entertaining & Travel each time he does.
Just to whet your appetite, Catriona's class was shown how to whip up a witlof salad with toasted walnuts, gorgonzola piccante, pear and pomegranate. It looked appetising and colourful and tasted so good it will be reproduced for her family.
If you don't want to join in a cooking lesson, it's a great place to stock up on fresh and unusual produce and stop for something to eat at Cafe Sopra. Santa Vittoria Apperitivo Bar serves Italian beers, wine prosecco, fresh juice and antipasto platters.
If you're short on time you can hop on to their website and shop online for fruit, vegetables, herbs, butchery, baker, cheese, dairy, drinks, flowers, Italian grocery. It's all there. They also have gifts and hampers available.
