HomeActivities Thai Food & Cooking
Thai food has become in recent years one of the world's favorite cuisines. When we speak of "Thai food", we are in fact talking of four very distinct regions in the country, each with their own culinary traditions. We are speaking too of the dishes created in the royal courts and palaces of Old Siam, that have been passed down through many generations of chefs, and finally into public domain.
Good food also comes up from the street level, and many of Thailand's most popular dishes can be found at the smallest food stalls and restaurants. And there is the influence of China, India, Malaysia and other neighbouring countries. So all these different factors come together under the label "Thai food", and you will find them in varying degrees at any Thai restaurant you care to visit, anywhere in the world.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the cuisine is its use of herbs and spices. With regard to the spices, some Thai dishes are very hot, but by no means all of them. The herbs have another function, in addition to providing flavour, in that they all have to varying degrees various medical and therapeutic benefits.
Thailand has a long history, going back to ancient times, of the use of herbs for medical purpose, and this in turn has permeated the ways of cooking and preparing food. Coupled with its low-fat qualities and its essential freshness, this helps make thai food one of the healthiest anywhere. Another important aspect about Thai food is the hospitality and friendiness, the sheer enjoyment of good companionship and of eating that is such a powerful element of the Thai personality. Sharing a meal is an important part of the day for any Thai person, and meal are very seldom taken alone. That is why all the dishes are generally served at once during Thai meal, and why there is a communal spoon placed alongside each dish for people to help themselves and to serve others.
A Thai meal ideally is a communal affair, principally because the greater the number of dinners the greater the number of dishes that can be sampled. Diners choose what ever they require from share dishes and generally add it to their own plate of rice. All the dish are serve simultaneously, or nearly so. The object is to archive a harmonious blend of the spicy, the subtle, the sweet and sour, and a meal is meant to be equally satisfying to the eye, nose and palate.
Thailand is blessed with many varieties of plants, herbs and spices which ensure s balanced diet. Today, visitors can both relish classic Thai menus and the benefits of a natural diet, and study the art of Thai cooking at several specialist schools in Bangkok and major beach resorts.
Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary SchoolLe Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School is a remarkable new partnership between Le Cordon Bleu and Dusit International, developed in response to the rapidly increasing demand in Thailand for the finest quality culinary arts education and hospitality training.
Professionals, amateurs and gastronomic enthusiasts come to Le Cordon Bleu for a superior culinary education. All instruction is given by Master Chefs. Most of them have earned numerous awards and distinctions through out their careers and judge at international culinary competitions. At Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, students at all levels learn from the Chef’s expertise, experience and personal interpretation of the culinary arts.
The unrivalled Le Cordon Bleu teaching methodology combines demonstrations followed by hands-on practical classes.
For more information, please contat
Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School
946 The Dusit Thani Building,1st Floor, Rama IV Road, Bang Rak,Bangkok 10500
Tel: 0 2237 8877
Fax: 0 2237 8878
Email:
thailand@cordonbleu.eduWebsite:
www.cordonbleudusit.com Chiang Mai Cooking ClassesCooking classes in Chiang Mai
Thai cooking classes are a delight and great fun. An increasing number of foreign tourists join Thai cooking classes to learn new skills that can be used at home.
Chiang Mai Cookery School
Mun Mueang Road, Amphoe Mueang, Chiang Mai 50180
Tel. 0 5320 6388 Fax: 0 5320 6387.
The school offers one-two- or three-day cooking classes in English. Recipes include northern specialties, and students will get hands-on experience with kitchen tools. Classes include northern-style lunch, where students will learn the etiquette of eating at the unique khan toke table.
Air’ s Thai Culinary Kitchen
9/1 Nong Prateep Rd., T.Nong Pakrung, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50000
Tel : 0 5324 9326-7
Fax : 0 5324 9328
Email : sales@airthaikitchen.com
Website : www.airthaikitchen.com
Air’s Thai Culinary Kitchen was established in 2004 by Mr. Chanrat ‘Air’ Karatna. Air was inspired to help visitors learn Thai cooking so that tourists could learn how to cook their favorite delicious Thai foods when they returned to their own countries. The kitchen classroom of Air’s Thai Culinary Kitchen is surrounded by herb and spice gardens that you will pick and use in the course making the learning of Thai cooking a truly unique experience.
Cooking Classes at Hotels in Chiang MaiAmari Rincome
Tel : 0 5322 1044
Chiang Mai Hills
Tel : 0 5321 0030
Chiang Mai Plaza
Tel : 0 5327 0036
Empress Chiang Mai
Tel : 0 5327 2467
City Inn
Tel : 0 5327 0710
Holiday Inn Chiang Mai
Tel : 0 5322 0100
Imperial Mae Ping
Tel : 0 5327 0160
Lotus Pang Suan Kaew
Tel : 0 5322 4333
Novotel Chiang Mai
Tel : 0 5322 5500
Suriwong Zenith
Tel : 0 5327 0051
Westin Chiang Mai
Tel : 0 5327 5300
Chiang Rai Golden Triangle
Tel : 0 5377 7001
Baan Boran
Tel : 0 5378 4084
Wangcome
Tel : 0 5371 1811
Cooking Classes in PattayaThe following hotels in Pattaya offer Thai cooking classes for their guests.
Best Western Baiyoke
Tel : 0 3842 3300
Grand Jomtien Palace
Tel : 0 3823 1405
Montien Pattaya
Tel : 0 3842 8155
Pattaya Park Beach Resort
Tel : 0 3842 3000
Royal Cliff Beach Resort
Tel : 0 3825 0421
Royal Garden Resort
Tel : 0 3842 8126
Town in Town
Tel : 0 3842 0281
Weekender
Tel : 0 3842 8720
Welcome Jomtien Beach
Tel : 0 3823 2701
Woodlands Resort
Tel : 0 3842 1707
Cooking Classes in KrabiThe following hotels in Krabi offer Thai cooking classes for their guests.
Phra Nang Inn
Tel / Fax : 0 7561 2173
Rayavadee Resort
Tel : 0 7562 0740-3
Cooking Classes at Ban Ing Nam Health Re...Cooking Classes at BAN ING NAM Health Resort & Spa, Nonthaburi
14 Mu 3 Khlong Phra Udom, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, 11120
Tel: (66) 2 9627750-2
Fax: (66) 2 9627753
Email: sales@baningnam.com or info@baningnam.com
Website :
http://www.baningnam.com Ban Ing Nam Health Resort and Spa offers Special Cooking classes for people who are ready for a little more of a challenge there are specialty classes which deal with just about every topic under the sun: vegetarian cooking, diabetic cooking, and almost any other style of cooking a person can think of. Besides, food tastes better when you make it yourself…what a great sense of accomplishment to take various ingredients and fashion them into something delectable.
Cooking Classes in PhuketCooking Classes in Phuket
Culinary Workshops at The Boathouse
Patak Road, Kata Beach, Phuket 83100
Tel : 0 7633 0015-7
Fax : 0 7633 0561
Bangkok office : 0 2439 2312, 0 2439 4740-4
The Boathouse’s Thai cooking classes, led by the resort’s executive chef, take place every Saturday and Sunday morning. Classes are very hands-on, with attendance limited to 10 persons to ensure participation by all. Recipes have been chosen for adaptability to Western kitchens. Classes are conducted in fluent English.
Cooking Classes at Other Hotels in Phuket
Dusit Laguna
Tel : 0 7632 4320
Holiday Inn Resort
Tel : 0 7634 0608
Kamala Bay Terrace
Tel : 0 7627 0801
Karon Villa
Tel : 0 7638 1139
Laguna Beach Club
Tel : 0 7632 4352
Le Meridien Phuket
Tel : 0 7634 0480
Pearl Village
Tel : 0 7631 1379
Phuket Island Resort
Tel : 0 7638 1010
Sheraton Grand Laguna
Tel : 0 7632 4101
Thavorn Beach Village
Tel : 0 7634 0486
Thavorn Palm Beach
Tel : 0 7639 6090
Samui Institute of Thai Culinary ArtSamui Institute of Thai Culinary Art
46/6 M00 3, Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84320
Tel : 0 7741 3172
Fax : 0 7741 3434
Email : info@sitca.net
The Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts (SITCA) offers Thai cooking classes taught in modern air-conditioned facility. Everyone is equipped with an apron, their own burner at the stove, and everything needed for a complete hands-on experience. There are lunchtime and dinnertime classes. Students who participate in three or more of the evening classes receive a certificate of achievement and free souvenir apron. Training for professionals programmes began in January 2004.
Cooking Classes at Hotels on Ko Samui
Central Samui
Tel : 0 2230 5000
Imperial Samui
Tel : 0 7742 2020-36
Poppies Samui
Tel : 0 7742 2389
Santiburi Dusit Resort
Tel : 0 7742 5031
Silom Thai Cooking SchoolSilom Thai Cooking School
31/11 Silom Soi Bangrak , Bangkok 10500
Tel: (Domestic) 0-47265669 or ( Oversea) +6647265669
E-mail : silomthaicookingschool@yahoo.com
Website : http://www.picturetrail.com/silomthaicookingschool
Silom Thai Cooking School offers its customers the opportunity to learn how to cook real Thai food in a traditional Thai setting, with skilled and friendly teachers who can impart the secrets of Thai cooking to customer in a fun atmosphere. Silom Thai Cooking School offers four separate courses Silom Thai Cooking School is located in the heart of Bangkok, Silom Road. We view Silom Thai Cooking School as more than just a school, but rather as an extension of our home, and an opportunity to share Thai cooking and culture with student.
Blue Elephant Bangkok Cooking School & R...Blue Elephant Bangkok Cooking School & Restaurant
233 South Sathon Road, Yan Nawa, Bangkok 10120
Tel : 0 2673 9353
Fax : 0 2673 9355
Email : cooking.school@BlueElephant.com
Located in the heart of Bangkok opposite the Surasak sky train station, the school offers hand-on classes commencing with a visit to the morning market. Accompanied by the instructor, you will learn to select and buyThai ingredients for your personal cooking lesson. The class will be followed by a meal to sampling your own cooking as well as additional Thai dishes. Every participant, whether expert or novice, is able to graduate with a Blue Elephant Cooking Class Certificate and will receive a basket consisting of Thai herbal tea and packets of curry paste and apron. Private cooking classes can be organized for professional chefs.
UFM Baking & Cooking School, BangkokUFM Baking & Cooking School
Sukhumvit 33 Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 0 2259 0620-3
UFM offers 10-day Thai cooking courses every other month. Classes take place from 8.30-noon daily, and recipes are mix of the simple and the sophisticated, regional specialties and national favourites. Students will receive a companion book in English. Five-day vegetable carving courses are available on alternate months.
Modern Women Cooking School, BangkokModern Women Cooking School
45/6 Setsiri Rod, Opposite Samsen train station, Bangkok 10300
Tel & Fax : 0 2279 2831, 0 2279 2834, 0 2279 3524, 0 26196428
E-mail : master@mwthaicook.com
Website : http://www.mwthaicook.com
The Modern Woman Cooking School was established since 4th July 1979. The school has been instructed by Mr. Polsri Kachacheewa who is the professional of radio and TV programs concerning the house cooking and food preparing. He is the professional of food magazine and the expert of nutrition. The school offers 1- day course or half-day course for foreigner from Monday to Sunday. Please make booking one or two days in advance.
Thai Cooking Classes at Hotels in Bangko...Cooking Classes at Hotels in Bangkok
The Thai Cooking School at The Oriental Hotel
c/o The Oriental Bangkok, Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok 10600
Tel : 0 2437 6211, 0 2437 2918
This legendary hotel on the bank of the Chao Phraya opened its own Thai cooking school on the other side of the river a few years back. The four-day cooking course, conducted in English, is mainly a “ watch and learn” experience, with emphasis on demonstration by the chef-lecturers followed by some hand-on participation by students. Classes start off with some background on Thai cooking, followed by different cooking techniques and fruit and vegetable carving. Recipes are a blend of the traditional and the imaginative. Menu preparation and selection is included in the course, as well as how to order at Thai restaurants. Classes take place from 9 in the morning to noon, followed by lunch. Tuition is charged per class.
Benjarong Cooking Class at the Dusit Thani
At the corner of Silom and Rama IV, Bangkok 10500
Tel : 0 2236 6400, 0 2236 7238
The Dusit Thani’s Benjarong Royal Thai Cuisine is one of the most sophisticated Thai restaurant in Bangkok. Its head chef runs the Benjarong cooking class every Saturday morning, from 9.30-12.30. Recipes are drawn from the restaurant’s menu and include snacks and appetisers, soup and salad, main dishes and desserts. Benjarong Cooking Class offers a very hand-on experience, and the instruction emphasizes practicality and inventiveness. The complete course comprises 12 classes, and graduates will receive a certificate as well as recipe book in English.
Nipa Restaurant at The Landmark Hotel
Between Sois 4&6, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok 10110
Tel : 0 2254 0404
The restaurant offers a 7-day course designed to teach beginners all the basics of Thai cooking and enable them to prepare curries, soups, salads and other dishes that make up a Thai meal. The restaurant’s chefs lecture on ingredients and recipes, and then let students participate in the cooking and tasting. Nipa is famous for its authentic food, which has not been toned down to suit milder palates, and the course offers plenty of hand-on experience. Students will receive a recipe book in English or Japanese. Fruit and vegetable carving sessions can be arranged separately.
Cooking Classes at Ohter Hotels in Bangkok
Amari Boulevard
Tel : 0 2255 2930
Arnoma Bangkok
Tel : 0 2255 3410
Bangkok Center
Tel : 0 2238 4848
Bangkok Mariott Spa & Resort
Tel : 0 2476 0021
Bangkok Palace
Tel : 0 2253 0510
Best Western Jade Pavilion
Tel : 0 2269 4676
Century Park Hotel
Tel : 0 2246 7800-9
Embassy Suites Windsor Palace
Tel : 0 2258 0160
Grand Hyatt Erawan
Tel : 0 2254 1234
Holiday Inn Silom
Tel : 0 2238 4300
Imperial Impala
Tel : 0 2258 8612
Imperial Queen’s Park
Tel : 0 2261 9000
Indra Regent
Tel : 0 2208 0033
Montien Reverside
Tel : 0 2292 2999
Prince Palace
Tel : 0 2628 1111
Rama Gardens
Tel : 0 2561 1022
Rembrandt
Tel : 0 2261 7100
Royal City
Tel : 0 2435 8888
Royal Princess
Tel : 0 2281 3088
Shangri-la Bangkok
Tel : 0 2236 7777
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
Tel : 0 2653 0033
Sofitel Central Grand Plaza Bangkok
Tel : 0 2541 1234
Twin Towers
Tel : 0 2216 9555
Tai-Pan
Tel : 0 2260 9888
Tawana Ramada
Tel : 0 2236 0361
Westin Grand Sukhumvit
Tel : 0 2255 2440