With time on our hands, a group of us decided to go to a cooking class in Chiang Mai. Although I loved the Thai food I was not eager to go and cook my own. It took a lot of convincing and sweet talk to get me to go. My reason: I am a terrible cook. I burn everything and what I don´t burn you have to throw away. (I am really not joking). Besides that I did not want to make a fool out of myself in front of a group of strangers. No, a museum sounded more like my cup of tea. The guys were not convinced and I didn´t win this battle. So off I went with 4 other people to cook up a storm.
Cooking lessons in Thailand are very popular. This particular class was not very cheap. If I can remember correctly we paid almost 700 Bhat. That is quite expensive. The class normally takes up a whole day and starts off with a trip to the market. This is excellent because you get familiar with the fresh produce that you will be using in your cooking class. Then the fun starts and afterwards you eat the food that you have prepared. I was very surprised at how well everything was organised. Tables were organised in a U-shape with the chef in the front.
We were 15 people and the group was a nice size. I was seated at the end with my four friends next to me.
You honestly have no idea how nervous I was. First of all we had to cook a Thai soup. It is called Tom Yom Soup.I had to concentrate on what the chef was saying, doing and in the same breath I had to prepare my own food. He was so quick and would move amongst us and give advice.
Most of the time I looked what my neighbour was doing but that slowed me down a lot. I really wanted this soup to be good.
The chef was excellent and he knew exactly which vegetables could be substituted and even suggested we have a Thai evening with our friends when we return back home. I was surprised how well the soup turned out. It looked delicious and I was very proud of myself!
Then it was time to cook the main meal and with this one I battled a little more and needed the help of the Chef. He was very patient but people were calling from all sides and I had to carry on by myself. The dish that we were cooking was called Panang Curry with Tofu.
This was particularly interesting and the chef told us to keep our cameras ready. The team on the other sides had to take photos of us and vice versa. It is a flaming wok scene and when you do it right you get spectacular flames in the air. Not enough to burn the house down but enough to make everybody go “Ooh and Ah”! Definitely a highlight amongst the students.
My flaming picture did not go well. In fact I had no flames but only smoke.
For desert we prepared sticky rice with mango. This was to die for! Last but not least we all sat together and had a feast. This was excellent and my food tasted great.
Have I tried cooking Thai food again? No but I have the cooking book and would like to give it a try some day. I believe my biggest problem is impatience and I hate standing in front of the stove watching the food.
Looking back this was a wonderful experience and I would love to do it again if I ever find myself in Thailand.
Address: 3 Soi 4, Ratchadamnoen Rd
Phone: (66-53) 270-143
Where: Chiang Mai, Thailand
When: April 2006
you got my taste buds active early in the morning..it must have been a great experience.
What fun! I'd love to do something like this. I actually passed a place in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago that offered this kind on day course. I've just added it to my list of must dos.
I loooove the pictures that went along with your lovely text :D. It's looking like a lot of fun indeed even though you were nervous. I'm glad you shared your experience with us as it's definitely something that I would try when I go traveling, even though I'd probably be nervous as well haha. I love cooking!!Take care!TJ
ooh smoky! LOL you looked cute! Just never invite me over for dinner lolA beautiful post
Hi Alpana, it was a great experience and I am glad I went in a group. I am not sure I would have enjoyed it that much if I was on my own 🙂
Nelieta – what a wonderful post that was. My to do list just got longer : ))) Thanks for sharing…
lol Beautiful pictures. I enjoyed. Seems like you had more fun than cooking:)
Yummmmm….the food looks great! Would love to try it. Thank you Neleita
Hi 'Hocam' when you get an opportunity to go cooking, please do. It is a lot of fun especially if you do it with a group of friends. I would love to read about cooking in Istanbul! Now that sounds like a real adventure 🙂
Hi TJ, thank you for the visit! Glad you enjoyed this post. I am sure you will do a lot better than me because you love cooking! I leave the cooking part for hubby and he prefers it that way..lol!
Hi Mr A….for sure I will invite you to dinner but I will not do the cooking..lol! I will leave that for hubby. Glad you have liked it and thank you for calling me cute in my cooking outfit 🙂 Saludos Amigo!
Hi Kriti, glad you liked it! Yes please add it to your ´to do list´! It is great fun 🙂
Hi Rimly, you are welcome! I have the recipe book if you would like to try it 🙂
Hi Sailor, I had great fun! This is not something that I would usually do when I travel but I am glad I did. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Hola Darwin,gracias por visitar mi blog! La comida tailandesa es muy bueno y no muy difícil de hacer. Me gusta tu blog también y lo visita a menudo en el futuro.Que tenga un buen fin de semana!
Gracias por tu visita a mi Blog. Espero puedas hacer la receta y probarlo. Muchas bendiciones para UD.
Su Blog es muy interesante. Procederé seguirla para visitarla. Sus platos se ven muy apetitosos.Un saludo fraterno.
I love Thai food and I've been planning to learn Thai cuisine after visiting Bangkok a few years back. The sticky rice and mango is really to die for. Hope to try this as well 🙂
Wow those flames look potent! Great blog and loved reading about this cooking adventure that you´ve had!
Looks like you guys had lots of fun! That's what I love about cooking – I enjoy the process, and yeah if the outcome is good that would be great as well – at least my boyfriend doesnot complain so far… 🙂
I have taken quite a few cooking classes in Thailand over the years. I think it's a great way to learn a little more about the culture. 700 baht is quite cheap. There's so much competition these days, that it really is a "buyers market".Great post.
Hi neilieta, you said you cant cook, and lo behold all that fire and smoke ! wow ! delicious!. Ok I want to wish you Happy Mothers day….take care dear
Hi Maznah, you didn't believe me when I told you I cannot cook. Now you see the smoking photo..lol! Happy Mothers day to you too and I love your guest post.
Hi Claire, oh the sticky rice and mango is to die for! It does sound yukkie but boy, does it taste good!
Hi Eleonora, as long as he doesn´t complain then it is good! My husband complains a lot so I prefer not to do the cooking 🙂
Hi Nancie, great to hear it is so competitive now! Guess I will have to go back to Thailand for another cooking class!
Hi Eleonora, as long as he doesn´t complain then it is good! My husband complains a lot so I prefer not to do the cooking 🙂
Hi Nancie, great to hear it is so competitive now! Guess I will have to go back to Thailand for another cooking class!
Hi neilieta, you said you cant cook, and lo behold all that fire and smoke ! wow ! delicious!. Ok I want to wish you Happy Mothers day….take care dear
Hi Maznah, you didn't believe me when I told you I cannot cook. Now you see the smoking photo..lol! Happy Mothers day to you too and I love your guest post.
Hi Sailor, I had great fun! This is not something that I would usually do when I travel but I am glad I did. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Hi Rimly, you are welcome! I have the recipe book if you would like to try it 🙂
Hi Kriti, glad you liked it! Yes please add it to your ´to do list´! It is great fun 🙂
Hi TJ, thank you for the visit! Glad you enjoyed this post. I am sure you will do a lot better than me because you love cooking! I leave the cooking part for hubby and he prefers it that way..lol!
Hi 'Hocam' when you get an opportunity to go cooking, please do. It is a lot of fun especially if you do it with a group of friends. I would love to read about cooking in Istanbul! Now that sounds like a real adventure 🙂
Nelieta – what a wonderful post that was. My to do list just got longer : ))) Thanks for sharing…
I loooove the pictures that went along with your lovely text :D. It's looking like a lot of fun indeed even though you were nervous. I'm glad you shared your experience with us as it's definitely something that I would try when I go traveling, even though I'd probably be nervous as well haha. I love cooking!!Take care!TJ
Hi Mr A….for sure I will invite you to dinner but I will not do the cooking..lol! I will leave that for hubby. Glad you have liked it and thank you for calling me cute in my cooking outfit 🙂 Saludos Amigo!
Su Blog es muy interesante. Procederé seguirla para visitarla. Sus platos se ven muy apetitosos.Un saludo fraterno.