At 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar, food has always been about more than flavour — it’s about connection, community, and shared experience. Recently, we had the honour of hosting a private gnocchi-making class for the inspiring team at Highway Foundation, an Australian youth charity dedicated to helping young people overcome loneliness and find connection in their lives.
This hands-on cooking session was part of Highway Foundation’s broader mission to create safe, meaningful spaces for self-discovery, healing, and joy — and what better way to bring people together than through the magic of homemade gnocchi?
Who is Highway Foundation
Highway Foundation is an award-winning Australian youth charity dedicated to helping young people overcome loneliness, find inner connection and gain clarity in their lives. They create safe, meaningful spaces where individuals can connect and reflect. Through workshops, programs, and creative experiences, they’re designing a culture of connection, ensuring that no young person feels alone or unheard.
Their community events, like this cooking class, are about more than fun — they’re a powerful tool for fostering belonging, building self-confidence, and breaking down social barriers.
Feeling disconnected, uncertain, or just need someone to talk to?
You don’t have to go through it alone.
Join a free Highway Companion Session – Start your journey or Sign up
Why a Gnocchi-Making Class?
For this event, Highway Foundation chose a gnocchi class for its simplicity, creativity, and heart. Food has a unique way of bringing people together, and a hands-on activity like making gnocchi fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. Making gnocchi is hands-on, comforting, and doesn’t require advanced skills, making it perfect for beginners. As Highway shared:
“Making gnocchi by hand invites mindfulness and fosters a sense of connection among participants. Nothing brings people together more than good food and conversation.”
At 48h, we couldn’t agree more!
Why 48h?
Highway Foundation selected 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar for their private event due to our reputation in authentic Italian cuisine and our commitment to community engagement. Our South Yarra restaurant;s central location (near public transport), welcoming team, and love of creating memorable experiences made us a natural fit.
“The 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar team was incredibly supportive, engaged, and invested in ensuring every detail contributed to a welcoming and authentic experience,” they said.
Who Attended — and What Happened
The class welcomed participants from all walks of life — some arrived solo, others came with friends. The vibe? Warm, open, and buzzing with energy. Making gnocchi together was more than just cooking— as dough was rolled and gnocchi was shaped, conversations sparked, laughter echoed, and friendships began to form.
A particularly memorable moment? A playful, light-hearted competition over whose gnocchi turned out best — paired with spontaneous teamwork and plenty of encouragement.
What Attendees Said
Feedback was glowing. Attendees expressed how much they enjoyed the hands-on learning, the welcoming atmosphere, and most importantly, the chance to connect with others in a meaningful way.
“Many participants said they’d love to join future events like this,” Highway reported.
A note from Highway Foundation
“Organising the event with 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar was an inspiring collaboration that reflected the heart of what we aim to do at Highway—create spaces that bring people together in meaningful ways. The 48h team was incredibly supportive, engaged, and invested in ensuring every detail contributed to a welcoming and authentic experience.
On the day, the genuine sense of connection and shared purpose between our organisations set the tone, helping participants feel at ease and open to engaging fully in the moment. Together, we created a vibrant, reflective, and joyful experience that embodied our commitment to building community and nurturing belonging.
At Highway Foundation, our mission is to create spaces where individuals feel seen, heard, and truly connected. This gnocchi-making class was a perfect example of how we bring that mission to life—fostering inner connection, shared joy, and a genuine sense of belonging. We’re grateful to 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar for partnering with us to make this experience possible and look forward to future collaborations that continue to inspire and unite our communities.”
Private Events with Purpose
At 48h, we’re proud to offer private cooking classes and events that go beyond the typical hospitality experience. Whether you’re a charity, corporate team, school, or social group, our events bring people together in a way that’s delicious, hands-on, and deeply memorable.
Looking to run your own gnocchi class, team-building session, or community event?
Contact us to create something truly special.
Final Thoughts
We’re incredibly grateful to Highway Foundation for partnering with us on this heartfelt event. Their mission aligns beautifully with ours: to bring people together through food, fun, and shared experiences.
We can’t wait to welcome them — and many others — back to 48h soon.
Interested in booking a private gnocchi class or event at 48h?
Get in touch today — let’s make your next gathering unforgettable.
P.S. This Winter we have a special discount for all new private event and masterclass bookings for June, July and August. Use the code Winter10 for a 10% discount! Usual minimum spend applies.
