BBQ School — Restaurant in Sydney

Not very impressed when trying to arrange a present for my partner who is blind. I did the right thing and emailed upfront to see if it would be possible for him to do the course. I was told that he would need someone there to help as staff wouldn't be able to. But then I was told I would need to pay for that person to also take the class even though they were only there to help. There was no offer for ways around this as I pointed out that to pay for 2 people plus paying for the person's time to assist was too expensive. I even offered for one of his children to attend as a helper. The point was raised that they would need to provide food for the person assisting so I asked what if they didn't eat (after all a child or adult can go 2 hours without food) or bought their own food so as to be sociable still? I was asked to call the 1300 number to speak with someone to discuss so thought this meant they wanted to speak to me about how this could possibly work or other options. I called and although the person on the other end was very polite was told straight up it was not possible for someone to assist without paying for the course. There was no disucssion about ways this could work for everyone. The final straw for me was to be told that they regularly had this types of requests and if they allowed it in this instance then they'd have to say yes to other people who wanted to bring someone to help or who wanted to bring their kids along - was to me craziness. Essentially it came down to the fact they don't accomodate people who have disabilities or may need help unless you are prepared to pay for 2 spots - I understand this is their perogative amd the main issue I was lead to believe, is around a non-paying person taking the space that a paying customer could. I get this, they are a business and this makes sense. But what about looking at dates and offering for someone who needs support to attend a cooking session that is not full so that the helper is not taking the spot of a paying customer?

I asked why didn't they just say it wsn't possible from the beginning instead of wasting mine (and their own) time and was told 'we didn't want to say no'.

Overall very poor form - if you can't accomadate people with disabilities without needing to charge for a spot please just say this...

The USA smoking class was a generous gift from my wife, so I was really looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately, I left disappointed and hungry.

After watching the chef prepare a range of smoked meats, including the brisket, which was clearly the star of the show, we were each served a plate to sample the afternoon’s work. While others around me received decent portions, I was given a noticeably smaller serving. I’m not sure if it was a mistake or if the chef took a disliking to me, but it felt unfair.

There wasn’t much hands-on cooking, so I had expected the tasting to be a highlight. For $160, I certainly didn’t expect to leave needing to eat again once I got home.

I’m usually easygoing and easy to please, I rarely leave negative reviews but this experience genuinely left me disappointed.

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the effort to provide context, but I stand by my experience. While I understand others may have had a positive time, the portion I received was significantly smaller than those around me, which left me feeling disappointed, especially given the cost and that this was a thoughtful gift from my wife.

I did purchase some of your BBQ rubs on the day and stayed engaged throughout, which reflects my genuine interest. However, with due respect, your response, particularly the statement that you are “confident” in the delivery of the session, does not acknowledge or validate my experience. Simply pointing to others’ enjoyment does not address the issue I raised, and your mention of guests being invited for seconds and even taking food home is the first I’ve heard of it. That detail only reinforces the sense that others had a noticeably different and more generous experience than I did.

I’m an easygoing person, generally supportive of small businesses, and I had hoped this feedback might be met with some openness. Unfortunately, your response has chosen to double down rather than engage with my experience, and that’s disappointing in itself.

Best...

🔥 🍖BBQ Master Class with Chef John and Ted – An Unforgettable Feast of Skills and Smoke! 🍖 🔥 If you're even remotely curious about mastering the grill or simply want to witness BBQ greatness up close—Chef John and Ted deliver a master class that’s equal parts education and sizzling entertainment. From the moment the first flame was lit to the final bite of smoky perfection, the experience was flawless. Short cut Ribs were delight. 👨‍🍳 Chef John is a culinary force of nature. His passion for BBQ is infectious, his techniques are refined yet approachable, and his ability to teach while keeping everyone engaged is next-level. Whether it was perfecting the reverse sear or explaining the magic behind his dry rub, he made sure everyone walked away with real, usable skills 🔥 Ted, the pit boss extraordinaire, brought a down-to-earth energy that made the class feel like a backyard cook-up with friends except everything was executed with professional finesse. His tips on managing heat, wood selection, and timing were absolute game changers 📝 What made it truly outstanding: Seamless blend of hands-on learning and expert demonstration High-quality ingredients and gear provided Welcoming, encouraging atmosphere for all experience levels Plenty of laughs, stories, and chances to ask questions Most importantly... the BBQ. Oh, the BBQ, Bourbon BBQ sauce wa top notch. Every bite told a story of technique, patience, and passion. Whether you're a seasoned griller or a total newbie, you’ll leave this master class not just full but fired up to take your skills to the next level. Big kudos to Chef John and Ted for making flames, smoke, and serious skill look...