Tonya Jennings is passionate about food and cooking. 

Her home high on a ridge at Kureelpa in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is at the heart of abundant suppliers of fresh, high quality and innovative local produce.

Tonya has combined these resources with her food and cooking passion into developing and operating On the Ridge Cooking School. 

Participants in classes have commented on how Tonya generously and enthusiastically enjoys sharing her knowledge, experience and ideas. There are interesting foodie hints, tips and musings both during the sessions and whilst sharing the delicious lunch that is taken ‘at the table’, overlooking the views of valley and beyond to the sea.

Tonya’s vibrant and engaging personality will encourage you to want to share ‘the pleasure of the table’ experienced in the morning’s classes with your friends and family.  You will be inspired to race home and repeat the dishes you have learnt in the day’s class.
 
Tonya is Melbourne trained at Holmesglen, in Paris at Le Cordon Bleu and the Ritz Escoffier and in Burgundy at La Varenne.  She has also visited regional schools in the Dordogne, Normandy and in Tuscany, Italy.  

On the Ridge contains an extensive cookbook library, which may be enjoyed by class participants.  Like many of the leading cooks Tonya also includes Library management, information and training as part of her career.

 Tonya’s love of cooking and entertaining is at the very heart of her success.

Testimonials
Participants' comments on their On the Ridge experience

A French Odyssey Journey through France
Thank you for an immaculately presented cooking class.  I thoroughly enjoyed the teaching style, the ambiance, and the food.'  Sue Robb, St Lucia, Qld.

Coastal Catch – Seafood Delights
‘Wonderful menu, amazing setting.  Tonya’s easy style, enjoying the meal after out efforts…brilliant company, professional kitchen, gorgeous views – definitely recommend…Divine results…’ Wendy O’Shea, Hamilton, Qld.

‘Tonya – very professional; and great teacher and patient…divine, detailed, scenic and tasty – wow factor for presentation…’ Rossina Gall, Armidale, NSW.

'Helen, Pheobe and I really enjoyed your class on Saturday and I certainly learnt a lot about preparing and cooking seafood, something I have never been that confident about. Once again your professionalism, and hospitality were welcomed...'  Kim Franklin, Sunshine Coast, Qld.

A Slice of the Hinterland - Savour the Season - Winter Warmers
"Very different, excellent way to spend the weekend. Unique, a 'must do'. Chris Taylor, Sydney.

Italianicious – Cooking with Passion
“Delicious! delightful! Visual and gastronomic delight! …the entire group cooking together, kneading the pasta and making the ravioli….we could all listen to Tonya talk about cooking and titbits!...the surroundings, the view, the room etc divine!’ Leticia McCartney, Brisbane.

Coastal Catch – Seafood Delight
‘Spectacular, immaculate, sensational, so much fun! Insightful, wonderful…’  Bridget Thompson, Mooloolaba, Qld.

‘Delicious, amazing, excellent…’ Simone Zaini, Brisbane, Qld.

'This has been the most wonderful experience I have ever had in my life. (I will be back).’ Kingsley Johnson, Woombye, Qld.

Mediterranean – Touch of Spice
‘Friendly, relaxed, productive’. Beth Brown, Sunnybank, Qld.

‘Friendly, enjoyable atmosphere.  Very relaxed and informative’. Michael Brown, Sunnybank, Qld.

 A Slice of the Hinterland – Cuisine of the Sun - filming day with the Queensland Weekender
 ‘A spectacular day of fresh ingredients, fine food and company and learning from top quality chefs’. Rose Trapnell, Wynnum West, Brisbane.

‘Outstanding for quality, expertise, experiences and earning’. Desley Bartlett, Wynnum West, Brisbane.

‘Absolutely fantastic’ Kerry Smith, Kureelpa, Qld.

‘Superb, delicious, entertaining’ Susan Kirk, Wellington Point, Brisbane.

‘Simple, elegant and dam good fun!’ Emily York, Noosa, Qld.

‘Friendly, casual, great fun, money well spent”. Rachelle Bertelsen, NZ.

‘Thank you for a marvellous day yesterday. It was really lovely and I had a lot of fun not only learning tips but meeting the other people in the group. I will definitely be back. ‘  Sarah Allison Hervey Bay, Qld.

A Slice of the Hinterland - Savour the Season – Summertime
‘A wonderful gastronomic and interactive experience with an amazing group of people; very well organised and presented…tuna tartare…sensational!’ Jenni Davis, Buderim, Qld.

‘Menu combinations – perfect…’ Robby Summers, Landsborough, Qld.

‘…taste sensation – exquisite – hands-on…’ Rae Wilson, Sunshine Beach, Qld.

‘Intimate, great group dynamics, fresh educational and fun.  Great balance of hands on and demonstration’  Gemma O’Brien, Twin Waters, Qld.

A Slice of the Hinterland - Cuisine of the Sun
‘Enjoyable, excellent location.’ Anthony Power, Kureelpa, Qld.

‘Fun, informative class that builds useful, practical skills and rewards participants with a fabulous meal…’ Luci Drake, Gordon Park, Brisbane.

‘Seeing the food we cooked beautifully presented and eating it.’ Melinda Lloyd, Brisbane.

‘On the Ridge Cooking School provides an intimate environment to learn skills that can be implemented tomorrow.’ Matt Stewart, Bulimba, Brisbane.

‘Good food is accented by good company.  Tonya, you bring people together well.’ Perry White, Brighton, Vic.

‘Fun and informative.’ Di Smith, Kureelpa, Qld.

‘Fun, informative, professionally presented.  Relaxing.’  Heather Macdonald, Maroochydore, Qld.

Which were the best parts of the cooking class?

‘Presenter, casual setting, people and interaction, hands-on, assistance given.’ Heather Macdonald, Maroochydore, Qld.

‘Beautiful setting, great recipes.’ Luci Drake, Gordon Park, Brisbane.

‘Fun, interactive, informative’ Melinda Lloyd, Auchenflower, Brisbane.

‘Hands on approach.’ Matt Stewart, Bulimba, Brisbane.

‘…satisfaction in the completion of a set task…the consumption of the works of art.’ Perry White, Brighton, Vic.

‘Great action, very nice experience, very well organised on the stainless steel tables with all the ingredients laid out and great location.’ Jenny Powers, Kureelpa, Qld.

‘….recipes were varied and interesting – good choices.  Interaction with other participants and yourself was good.’  Di Smith, Kureelpa, Qld.