More Than a Chai Class: Private Chai Workshops in Melbourne and Online

What happens when you stop simply drinking chai and actually learn where it comes from, why it is made the way it is and how to create it yourself?

That is really what our Art of Chai workshops are about.

I started Chai Walli because I wanted to share the chai I grew up with, but also because I wanted people to understand that chai is so much more than a drink. It carries history, culture, family traditions, spices, stories and memories. Our workshops are an extension of that idea, giving people the opportunity to slow down, explore the spices, learn about Indian chai culture and, of course, drink plenty of chai along the way.

Over the years, we have welcomed individuals, private groups, corporate teams, universities, councils and community organisations into our workshops. We have worked with organisations including Google, Accenture, Allens, Monash University, Box Hill TAFE, La Trobe University and Deakin University, as well as many different councils and community organisations. We have also received more than 60 x five star reviews from people who have joined our workshops, which is something I am incredibly proud of.

What happens at an Art of Chai workshop?

Our workshops are designed to take people beyond the familiar chai latte and into the world of Indian chai and spices. We explore the history and culture of chai, look at the ingredients that create a balanced masala chai and learn how different spices influence flavour, aroma and character.

It is a very sensory experience because I don't think you can really understand spices by simply talking about them. You need to smell them, touch them, taste them and begin to understand how they work together. Participants explore different chai blends, learn about the ingredients and discover why the brewing method is just as important as what goes into the cup. We also teach traditional Indian methods for brewing chai so that participants can continue making it at home.

You don't need any previous cooking experience and there is no expectation that you know anything about chai before you arrive. The workshops are designed to be relaxed, welcoming and hands on, whether you are a lifelong chai drinker or have only recently discovered masala chai.

A chai workshop with a story behind it

For me, being able to teach people about chai is deeply personal.

I grew up in an Indian household where spices were simply part of everyday life, and my grandfather was an Ayurvedic doctor who specialised in herbs and spices. My relationship with flavour started long before Chai Walli existed, and much of what I know about balancing spices comes from those early experiences.

Chai Walli eventually grew from me blending spices in my parents' basement and recreating family recipes into the business it is today. That journey is a big part of what I bring into our workshops. I am not teaching chai from a textbook. I am sharing something that has been part of my family and cultural heritage for generations, while also acknowledging that chai itself is incredibly diverse and has evolved across different regions, families and communities.

That is why our workshops aren't simply about following a recipe. They are about understanding the story behind what you are making.

Private chai workshops in Melbourne

Our private chai workshops are particularly popular with businesses, teams, celebrations and organisations looking for something a little different.

We can accommodate private groups from around 4 to 50 people, and we can customise the workshop around your group, venue and objectives. We can host you at our Chai Walli studio in Kilsyth, or bring the experience to your workplace or chosen venue.

A private chai workshop can work beautifully as a corporate team building activity, workplace cultural experience, client event, birthday, hens celebration, community gathering or simply an opportunity to bring a group of people together around something they may not have experienced before.

We can also tailor the content depending on what you are looking for. Some groups want to focus on chai and Indian tea culture, while others are particularly interested in spices, flavour and blending. We can create something more educational, more hands on or more focused on team connection.

This flexibility is important to us because we don't believe every group should have exactly the same experience.

Corporate team building through chai and spices

There is something quite different about bringing a team together around food and spices.

Instead of sitting in another meeting room listening to someone speak, everyone gets to participate. People smell and taste different spices, compare flavours, ask questions and create something together. It gives people a chance to interact in a way that feels much more natural than many traditional corporate team building activities.

This is one of the reasons we have worked with such a diverse range of organisations, from large corporations and universities to councils and community groups.

For businesses looking for corporate team building in Melbourne, an Indian chai or spice workshop offers something that is social, educational and genuinely interactive. It can also be a beautiful way to celebrate cultural diversity within a workplace or mark occasions such as Diwali, Harmony Week or other cultural celebrations.

One of the things I love most about sharing chai is welcoming people from all backgrounds into something that is part of my culture and allowing them to experience it with curiosity and respect.

Virtual chai workshops across Australia and internationally

Not every team can get together in the same room, particularly when people are working across different offices, cities or countries. That is why we also offer private virtual chai workshops that can be delivered Australia wide and internationally.

The best part is that it isn't simply an online presentation about chai. Every guest receives their own chai workshop kit, so everyone can participate in the experience from wherever they are.

We send the kits out ahead of the workshop so that participants have everything they need to take part. Once everyone is ready, we come together online for a live and interactive chai experience where we explore the history of Indian chai, learn about the spices and blends and make chai together.

We have previously run virtual workshops for groups of more than 60 people, so they work particularly well for larger organisations, distributed teams, interstate workplaces and international groups. Our online workshops can also be a great option when you want to organise a team building experience without asking everyone to travel.

For an organisation looking for a virtual team building activity in Australia, an online chai workshop gives everyone something tangible to participate in rather than another virtual event where people simply sit and watch a screen.

International private groups are also welcome, with kits able to be shipped internationally for private workshops.

An experience people remember

We have now taught chai to hundreds of people, from those who have never made chai before to people who grew up drinking it at home.

What makes me happiest is hearing that someone went home and immediately made chai for their family, that they started experimenting with the spices in their own cooking or that they had never thought about the history behind chai before attending the workshop.

That is the part that matters to me.

The chai is important, of course, but the bigger goal has always been education and connection. I want people to leave understanding a little more about Indian chai culture, feeling more confident with spices and having experienced something they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to try.

The fact that our workshops have received more than 50 five star reviews is wonderful, but I think the real measure of success is what people do with that knowledge afterwards. If someone goes home and makes chai for their partner, teaches their children how to brew it or starts looking at their spice cupboard differently, then the experience continues long after the workshop finishes.

Client testimonials

Tracey Lees: "Uppma was a wonderful facilitator!We learnt about the origins of Chai tea, the correct Chai language and made the best chai I had ever tasted using the 11 spice ChaiThank you Uppma for sharing your Chai story!"

Anastasia Joseki: "This was a workshop which far outweighed my expectations. Uppma is a wonderfully passionate teacher who bursts with knowledge and enthusiasm. She’s very clear with guiding you through the process. The kit has a great selection of all types of blends. A lovely aromatic mindful way to start the weekend. Keen to learn more and share with family & friends."

Chiara Tomassoni: "Even if you have the products from Chai Walli already, or have brewed chai a thousand times beforeI highly recommend doing the workshop!I had never been able to make my chai taste this good beforeThe workshop was very informative - including the history of tea and spices, as well as some of the properties of the spices themselves. It was so interestingand it made me appreciate the flavour and the meaning of experiencing chai so much more."

Interested in a private chai, spice or cooking workshop for your team or group? Get in touch with Chai Walli on hello@chaiwalli.com.au and tell us what you have in mind. We would love to create something with you. You can also learn more about our workshops here.