Mozzarella making, pasta rolling and chocolate tempering have all proven themselves as solid date and girls’ night options, but there’s a new kid on the social-classes block deserving of our attention. Kafe Kooks in Ultimo is putting roti paratha forward as a contender, with in-house Roti Master Suresh Rajandra teaching small groups how to stretch, flip and fold dough before finishing it with the all-important smash that gives the bread its flaky layers. Rajandra said, “I love that the classes are kept to small groups because it creates a really relaxed atmosphere. People feel comfortable asking questions and getting involved in a way that’s much harder to do in a big group. Before long, everyone is competing to see who can stretch their dough the best.” The process has all the ingredients of a good class to take with friends, family or a special someone. There is enough technique involved to make getting it right feel satisfying, but plenty of opportunity to get your hands dirty and room for things to go sideways once the dough starts flying. “My favourite part is bringing out a freshly cooked roti and showing everyone how to give it a good smash to make it beautifully flaky,” adds Rajandra. “You can see everyone’s faces light up when they see it happen, and then there’s the smell of that hot roti straight off the grill, with all that incredible sweetness and aroma from the ghee. That moment never gets old.” Customers who have previously attended sessions with the Roti Master have also raved about the sensory aspect and Kafe Kooks’ overall hospitality. One attendee called the experience “a night to remember” and singled out the roti throwing and folding session, while another said the class was “a lot of fun” and the food “absolutely delicious”. It helps that roti making is not yet one of those default things people think to do with their hands on a night out. The flipping, stretching and smashing still feels novel, but the five-course Malaysian banquet and cocktails are holding their own too. Once the class wraps, guests sit down to a five-course shared Malaysian feast, with the option to make the evening bottomless. That makes the format feel less like a cooking lesson with dinner tacked on and more like a proper night out where the activity happens to involve learning how not to tear a sheet of roti dough. Keeping it Klassy For owner Andrew Ray, the classes have also opened up conversations that rarely happen during normal restaurant service. For an Asian restaurant effectively designed as a love song dedicated to David Bowie – decor, memorabilia, pillows, you name it – the curiosity writes itself. “I get asked everything from how I first became fascinated by roti, to why I started Kafe Kooks and even the connection between David Bowie and the business,” Ray said. “It gives me a chance to connect with people in a much more personal way than you normally get to during the day-to-day running of a restaurant. “And of course, we love watching everyone have a go at flipping their roti. There’s always plenty of laughter, and we’ve captured some great moments on camera. Seeing people go from being a little nervous about handling the dough to getting stuck into it is a big part of the fun.” Kafe Kooks’ upcoming Roti Masterclasses are scheduled on October 8, October 22, December 3 and December 17 from 6 pm to 8.30 pm at 63 Mountain Street, Ultimo. Tickets are $95 plus a booking fee, or $125 plus a booking fee for the bottomless option. Find more food and drink features on Crumb Wire.