Many long-term Birchip residents would be familiar with renowned chef Stefano de Pieri.

Recently, the first and second-year cookery students at Birchip P-12 School were incredibly fortunate to spend two days learning the foundations of traditional Italian cooking under his expert guidance.

Stefano’s connection to Birchip spans several decades, beginning from his friendship with Eddie and Frances Lee. His affinity for championing regional tourism and showcasing locally grown produce eventually led him to being a board member of the Birchip Cropping Group (BCG) between 2020-2023.

It was through this connection, at the BCG’s 50-year celebration dinner, that Birchip P-12 School VETiS Cookery Teacher, Kristy Knights, had the opportunity to meet Stefano.

Stefano was catering for the event at the Birchip Leisure Centre in 2022 and, in need of some help in the kitchen, Stefano engaged Kristy and her hospitality students. That evening sparked a conversation that inspired Stefano to offer a return visit to Birchip, to spend a few days cooking with, and teaching, Birchip P-12 School students.

Return visit

The visit began in the classroom with warm introductions, followed by a discussion led by Stefano on what he considers to be the ideal pantry. He spoke passionately about the importance of preparing affordable, nutritious meals, especially relevant for students as they look towards independence and life beyond home-cooked meals.

Together, the group took a short walk to the local IGA and Bourke’s Butcher, where Stefano spoke about locally-sourced produce including cereals, meats, and the seasonal availability of fruits and vegetables. His immense knowledge, paired with his relaxed and friendly nature, made everyone feel immediately comfortable and engaged.

All hands on deck

Back in the kitchen, it was all hands on deck. Students were each given a task and got straight into cooking a range of delicious dishes: traditional Bolognese, potato gnocchi, potato soup, handmade pasta, mushroom risotto, Santiago cake, bread rolls and focaccia, lamb ragù, and farfalle with broccoli.

Highlight

A highlight of the lessons was learning about sofrito, a base mixture of onions, carrots, and celery that forms the foundation of many Italian dishes. This technique, along with many others, was not only demonstrated but actively practised and enjoyed by all.

The two days passed with lots of laughter, learning, and the joy of sharing food. Cooking together created a powerful sense of connection and community and highlighted one of the most meaningful ways we build relationships with family and friends.

Appreciation

Birchip P-12 School is incredibly grateful for this opportunity. Kristy said: “We deeply appreciate Stefano’s generosity, not only with his time, but also with his passion for food, his willingness to share his vast knowledge, and his genuine warmth. It was an enriching and tasty experience for our students, who don’t have the luxury of visiting fine dining establishments in Birchip.

“We certainly hope this isn’t the last visit from Stefano, and with a bit of luck, we’ll welcome him back to Birchip again in the future.

“Thank you, Stefano!”

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This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 5 August 2025.