World class chef’s cooking classes set to take Toowoomba by storm

He’s a michelin star chef who has cooked for royalty and now he’s opening a cooking school in Toowoomba.

MASTER CHEF: Now living in the Toowoomba region is Bruno Loubet and Catherine Loubet who have brought their business Willow Value Cooking School to the region. Picture: Nev Madsen.

He’s worked at many world-class restaurants, earned a michelin star and has been praised by Jamie Oliver but now one very successful chef is starting a cooking school in Toowoomba.

Originally from France, Bruno Loubet has worked in some of the best restaurants in London from La Tante Claire with Pierre Koffmann and the Manoir aux Quat’Saisons with Raymond Blanc.

Earning his michelin star while working as head chef for the Four Seasons, the professional chef went on to open his own successful restaurants including the Grain Store – one of London’s first flexitarian restaurants.

STARRY EYED: Bringing incredible food and recipes to the Toowoomba region is Michelin star chef Bruno Loubet and his wife Catherine Loubet. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Now after a selling their historic Gold Coast Hinterland estate and moving to the garden city, Mr Loubet and his wife Catherine are opening Willow Vale Cooking School.

“I’ve spent more than 40 years of my life working in top-hand restaurant kitchens so obviously I love cooking but I really think there is something special about it,” Mr Loubet said.

“To me a good chef is someone that likes to make others happy and put a smile on their face … that’s what I love about it most.”

The professional chef who once cooked for the late Princess Diana and mentored contestants on the United Kingdom version of MasterChef has been cooking since he was just 14-years-old.

But the ambitious chef’s career really took off when he moved from the southwest of France to London and won Young Chef of the Year at the age of 24.

Now aged in his 60s, Mr Loubet said he wanted to share his knowledge, passion and experience with others.

“Some customers arrive as strangers but end up becoming our very good friends,” Mr Loubet said.

“It’s because we share a meal together, but we also exchange life experiences and stories and they are so happy when they leave … they say it’s like spending a day in France.”

FRENCH PASTRIES: Guests participating in the Willow Vale Cooking School will enjoy some of Bruno Loubet’s French pastries on arrival. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Offering a variety of cooking classes for the Toowoomba region to enjoy, guests will learn how to cook French, Moroccan or Vietnamese cuisine as well as Flexitarian dishes and pastries to name a few.

Mrs Loubet said when the couple were searching for the new site of their cooking school which previously operated in the Gold Coast, Toowoomba was the perfect place to call home.

“We always loved the Toowoomba area, the feel of the city and we wanted the space for our horses – plus there’s a huge market for food here,” she said.

“During classes guests will arrive here in the morning, have coffee and pastries with us, then we’ll show them the vegie garden or permaculture process.

“Bruno will then take them through every step of the cooking process, offer lots of handy tips and then we will all sit down and share a beautiful meal together.”

BE OUR GUEST: Now living in Toowoomba are Catherine and Bruno Loubet who have been married for almost four decades, share three children and many grandchildren. Picture: Nev Madsen.

The new business sources its ingredients from local producers and farmers or their own vegetable garden.

Classes start later this month with the first session featuring a three-course meal using decadent truffles.

The business also offers catering and private sessions.

Pricing varies.

For more information about Willow Vale Cooking School click here.