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"Soba, so good"

Epicure, The Age, Melbourne

While many of us plunge headlong into the cooking of far-flung nations, those who cook Japanese at home are a dedicated, adventurous few. But, I hear you say, I love Japanese food - I've just never tried preparing it at home.

This might be the watershed: Shizuka Ryokan, an inn near Hepburn Springs modelled on the traditional Japanese ryokan, or country guest house, will run a residential cookery class over the weekend of March 19, 20 and 21 (1999).

Instructing will be resident chef Kiyoyuki Eguchi and guest Yasako Nakagawa, formerly of St Kilda's Osaka restaurant.

They promise eight hours of tuition that will enable students to handle the basics of Japanese cuisine at home. Not to mention immersion in a Japanese environment for the weekend. Cost is $455 per person, twin/double share which includes two nights' accommodation, all meals except dinner the night of check-in, tuition, notes and materials. A second weekend is planned for July (1999). Phone 5348 2030 for more details.

- John Leathlean