Sardinia's Food Traditions with Stephen Santucci Saturday 8 August

Saturday 8 August

Stephen is bringing the spirit of Sardinia to Moonacres — a place where life moves at a different pace, and food is woven quietly into the rhythm of everyday living.

High in the hills and along the rugged coastline, Sardinian life is shaped by simplicity, by seasons, and by a deep connection to land and community. Meals are not rushed. They are prepared with care, shared with others, and built from ingredients that come close to home — wild greens gathered from the edges of fields, legumes that simmer slowly on the stove, bread made by hand, and meats cooked with patience and respect.

This class is an invitation into that way of living.

Guided by Stephen, you’ll explore a style of cooking that values restraint and honesty — where flavour comes not from complexity, but from time, technique, and the quality of what’s grown and raised. The menu will unfold with the season, shaped by what’s available and at its best, just as it would be in a Sardinian home.

Along the way, we’ll reflect on the quiet habits that sit behind this way of eating — long tables filled with conversation, daily rituals that bring people together, movement built naturally into the day, and a culture that places connection at the centre of life.

Expect food that is generous and grounding. Expect to slow down. Expect to leave not just with recipes, but with a different understanding of how food can support a life well lived.

This is more than a class — it’s a shared experience of a place where simplicity, community, and good food have been guiding life for generations.

About Stephen

Stephen Santucci is the Head Chef of Moonacres Kitchen and Jimmy Nardello in Robertson and Hearth in Bowral. A celebrated chef and much-loved local.  

Stephen was formerly head chef at Vini, Surry Hills and learnt his craft in Italy where he spent a number of years working in restaurants, including under the tutelage of Michelin-starred chef, Salvatore Tassa. He credits his career to his grandparents, especially his grandmother, with whom he recalls fondly making 'dried sausage' (they never called it salami) as a child in the basement of her cantina. 

Stephen is passionate about creating the same sense of warmth and homeliness with his food.

Shoalhaven Food Network Charity Event

Much-loved radio and TV personality Simon Marnie is heading to the Shoalhaven — and this time he’s stepping into the kitchen. Teaming up with Stephen, the duo are putting a fresh spin on the classic Chef’s Challenge.

After spending 72 hours exploring the Shoalhaven and tracking down the region’s finest produce — much of it found within just a few kilometres of the stunning Terrara House — Simon and Stephen set themselves the challenge of creating a menu that perfectly captures the flavours, faces and stories of our own backyard.

And judging by the results… we think they’ve done more than OK! Working in true partnership, they’ve crafted something exceptional, brought to life in the grandeur of the magnificent Terrara House Estate.  

This event is one of the Premium events during the Shoalhaven Food Network's Autumn Celebration of Food and is a fundraiser for the Network regarding their work dedicated to training of young adults to work within the food & hospitality industry.

Vivid

Armed with the Southern Highlands’ finest produce and organic ingredients,  Stephen teams up with Love Tilly Group's culinary director Scott McComas-Williams at Palazzo Salato. 

Part of Vivid Food’s inaugural Regional Dinner Series, Santucci, McComas-Williams and Palazzo Salato's executive chef Alex Major will collaborate on a produce-forward, innovative menu, united by a love of locally sourced ingredients and Italian cuisine. Beloved broadcaster Simon Marnie will also be on hand as MC and host for the evening. 

Vivid Food’s inaugural Regional Dinner Series is a citywide celebration of regional produce and talent spanning some of Sydney’s finest restaurants – all to highlight the rich culinary identity and stories of NSW, with each event focusing on a specific region. 

Across seven pairings and 12 events, the Series sees acclaimed regional chefs collaborate with Sydney restaurants and chefs for one-off menus that hero their home’s ingredients, winemakers,

Our class with Stephen begins at 10:00am. We look forward to welcoming you soon.