All around Thailand there’s a lot of tours and activities to do around the country, and what better way to learn about culture, than through the stomach (^_^). There are tons of cooking classes around the country. In Chaing Mai I happened to come across Baan Thai Cookery, which later I found out was also recommended in Lonely Planet.
Our instructor, Eet
@ Baan Thai Cooking Class
Baan Thai Cookery
I took an awesome Thai cooking day course led by Eet. We learned how to create a 5-course Thai meal from scratch! There’s a selection to choose from from each category: Stir-Fry, Appetizer, Soup, Curry & Dessert. You will be well fed after taking one of these classes, I promise you.
Checking out the spices in the market.
Eet picked us all up from our accommodation areas to his kitchen. After we settled and introductions were made we all headed down to the market for some shopping! Here, Eet introduced the commonly used Thai ingredients for cooking, and as a group we gathered fresh ingredients for the day.
**If there are any allergies, or food items that you don’t eat (i.e. fish), please let Et know in advance ~ it will also save a lot of time in class.
TL: Fried Cashew Chicken
LL: Panaeng Currey
TR: Fish Cake
LR: Hot & Sour Prawn Soup
Back at the kitchen, we all suited up in our aprons, enjoyed some complimentary snacks and started cooking. Surprisingly, all the dishes that at first seemed complicated and time consuming was actually really quick!
Preparation time seemed no longer than 10 minutes ~ except for the curry paste, that we made from scratch! That was the first time I chopped a pepper into paste! 😀 And cooking time in general took no more than around 5 minutes…oh ya, travelers, don’t worry about eating breakfast if you plan to have a cooking day.
Cooking away! Making curry paste from scratch!
Baan Thai Cookery School Website (here)
**This was one of the first activities that I did when I arrived in Thailand, and I highly recommend it as a good trip starter. Suggested by a friend, doing this at the beginning of trip because not only is a nice and relaxing activity if you’re a bit fatigued from traveling; but also, you may bond well and hang out with your fellow chefs after class :)**
Mango with sticky rice
BC Roll in Japan 