Michelin-style magic meets MasterChef: Albany’s new must-try dining experience

By: Lisa Cook 

Imagine stepping into a kitchen where you don an apron, cook alongside a Michelin-trained chef, then feast like royalty in an intimate dining room.

Welcome to Kirby’s Atelier de Cuisine, an unforgettable culinary experience in Albany. 

Housed inside a beautifully restored 140-year-old heritage building on the site of Albany’s first bakery, Kirby's offers guests an immersive cooking and dining experience unlike anything else in WA. 

Launched by husband-and-wife duo Frederick and Jacqueline Kirby in late 2024, Kirby’s has quickly become popular amongst curious cooks and gourmet food lovers.

The pair offer 26 unique cooking classes led by award-winning chef Frederick, whose impressive résumé spans Michelin-starred kitchens and five-star hotels throughout Ireland and Europe. Guests prepare 12 dishes together in the state-of-the-art kitchen, learning techniques and tricks from Frederick throughout the session. 

Classes cover a wide range of international cuisines from Moroccan and Spanish to classic French and fresh pasta making.  Each guest leaves with a recipe folder and a souvenir apron to continue their culinary adventures at home. 

Once the cooking is complete, guests ascend to the stunning Parisian-style dining room to enjoy a decadent feast and celebrate their culinary achievements. 

After an extensive two-year fit-out, the pair have masterfully transformed the space into a place where cooking, fine dining and community converge.  

The downstairs kitchen is a chef’s dream, featuring premium Smeg appliances, marble countertops and French copper pans. At its heart is a stunning 3-metre chef’s bench, complemented by a handcrafted pot rack made by an 84-year-old local blacksmith. 

On Friday evenings, Kirby’s transforms into an intimate fine-dining destination. Upstairs, a grand staircase leads guests to an elegant dining room featuring French antiques, candle-lit fireplaces and velvet dining chairs. 

Dinner is served once a week, with a seasonal degustation menu that showcases the region’s finest produce. Each dish is paired with premium Alkoomi wines, and dietary needs—including vegetarian and gluten-free—are thoughtfully catered for. 

The Kirbys work closely with local producers to source ingredients for both their classes and restaurant menu. Highlights include free-range eggs from Albany’s Piacun Farm, Leeuwin Coast oysters, Mount Barker free range chicken, and milk and cream from micro-dairy Yard 86. 

Before you leave, take a taste of Albany home and explore The Shoppe, where you’ll find a special selection of gourmet treats, including Frederick’s Irish whiskey marmalade, spiced plum jam, and seasonal preserves.

Around Christmas, don’t miss his signature traditional Irish Christmas pudding—made with Guinness, French brandy, and local fruits. 

Cooking classes run on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons, while the restaurant opens for dinner one night a week. Book your class or reserve a seat at kirbys.com.au. 

The Shoppe is open Wednesday to Friday from 10am. 

Image credit: Nicci Danielle