FOOD & SHOPPING

A Cooking Holiday In Thailand: Live The Local Way!

Rachita Verma

Last updated: Apr 3, 2017

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My first tryst with Thai food was mouth-watering Thai Green Curry with Jasmine rice at a restaurant in Delhi. As much as I loved eating it, I was also curious to know more about the flavours and types of ingredients used. After whipping up a few Thai dishes at home, I have decided to take my love for Thai food a little further and go on a cooking holiday in Thailand this year. Who knows, by the end of this summer, I might be a Masterchef in the making (fingers crossed)!

Cooking like the locals - that’s what I intend to learn at the cooking classes conducted by professional chefs and a chance to prepare regional delicacies in a Thai setting. Here are 5 popular courses to try in Thailand:

#1 Blue Elephant Cooking School – Bangkok, Phuket

blue elephant thailand

Whether you are a first timer or an experienced professional, there’s something new and innovative to learn at Blue Elephant Cooking School in Bangkok and Phuket. From baked glass noodles to prawn soufflé, know it all in the 5-day cooking courses. You will be welcomed with a fresh Thai herbal drink and then taken to shop for fresh ingredients at the local market. Once everyone is back, each student will prepare a 4-course meal with the help of recipes and guidance from a chef.

After all the hard work, sit down and enjoy your own culinary delicacies in a peaceful Thai setting. It can’t get better than this! At the end of the course, you will receive a special Cooking School Certificate, a souvenir apron and a cooking set.

#2 Sompong Thai Cooking School – Bangkok

sompong thailand

From stewing to grounding pastes and stir-frying veggies, try your hand at different cooking traditions in Thailand. You will be taught about the fundamentals of Thai cooking by culinary experts. After completing this course, you can recreate authentic dishes back home for friends and family.

Besides regional cuisine, you will learn a lot about fusion cooking too. With knowledge about substitutes for local ingredients and printed recipes, you can even experiment with dishes to create your own style!

#3 Baipai Thai Cooking School – Bangkok

baipai thailand — Photo Credit: Baipai Thai cooking school

Get ready for a culinary adventure at this cooking school in Bangkok. From local market visits to cooking different courses, each student will have hands-on experience in preparing a meal with the help of a Thai professional cook. In a comfortable and homely setting, the group (not more than 11 students) is taught traditional and useful Thai techniques. These, along with printed recipes, will surely come in handy for innovative cooking back home.

Later, you can head to bustling market places such as Khao San Road, Sukhumvit 38 and experiment with Thai street food like Pad Thai and Som Tam.

#4 Baan Thai Cooking School – Chiang Mai

Teaching home-style cooking in a small group is what Baan Thai School does best. Explore Thai culture in Chiang Mai, experiment with exotic ingredients and learn soups, curries and desserts. The wholesome experience comes complete with a web photo album on the website for every batch. A perfect scrapbook to share with friends!

Once the class is over, spend the evening discovering the wonders of Chiang Mai. How about a boat trip down the Mekong or a mesmerizing sunset from Angkor Wat? Choices are plenty and memories, everlasting.

#5 Amita Thai Cooking Class – Bangkok

amita thai cooking classes

This cooking school was started by chef and instructor Tam Piyawadi Jantrupon in the home where she was raised. From an extensive list of Thai dishes, a delicious 4-course meal will be prepared by each person. What’s unique about this course is that the fresh Thai ingredients are handpicked from their nursery herb garden instead of a local market. Wonderful, isn’t it?

The personalized experience continues with tasting samples and guidance of cooking instructors. Reap the rewards of your hard work by enjoying your cooked dishes in a Thai style veranda overlooking a canal.

While you are in Thailand, combine your passion of cooking with travel. Maybe even visit lesser known Thai destinations like Khao Lak and Surat Thani. This summer, head to the land of sun, sand and smiles for a perfect retreat!

Comments

calaguas island... | on 10 April 2015

Been there too! Good to know you guys really enjoyed it :) Btw, have you ever been to Calaguas Island? That place looks like from heaven, white powdery sand, clear water, un-touched island. I suggest you should check it out.