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Learning the Art of Thai Cooking
As in virtually all cultures, Thais informally pass recipes and
the art of cooking from one generation to the next. Daughters and
sometimes sons, watch mothers, grandmothers and other family members
cook at home and by observation, mimicry and "on the job training"
learn to prepare the foods that the Thai people value and enjoy.
This method of transferring knowledge of Thai cooking works, of
course, primarily for those who are a part of Thai culture. Interested
"outsiders" might learn from a Thai friend or spouse,
but most don't have a Thai person in their kitchen to observe
and mimic. These people must gain their knowledge from media like
cookbooks, CDs, websites and television or, if they are lucky, they
find a good teacher or cooking school and start take Thai cooking
lessons.
Internationally, opportunities for this kind of instruction are
limited by several factors. Competent and knowledgeable teachers
are hard to find as are the correct ingredients and properly equipped
kitchens. Obviously, in Thailand, kitchens and ingredients are no
problem but finding someone who is knowledge and a good teacher
is considerably more difficult.
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Cooking Classes Offered by Bangkok Hotels and Restaurants Several
hotels in Bangkok offer cooking classes of relatively short duration
that introduce Thai cooking to hotel guests and others who choose
to enroll. Most of these classes are of short duration and aren't
intended to be comprehensive. They do, however, teach some of the
basics and give students knowledge that will help them significantly
when they turn to recipes in cookbooks.
The Landmark Hotel (0-2254-0404) on Sukhumvit Road offers cooking
classes from one to five days in duration. The lessons, which are
available every day of the week from 10:30-12:30 or 14:00-16:00,
feature instruction on how to prepare five different dishes. In
addition to the lessons, students receive a gift box containing
spices and herbs, a recipe book, a cooking class apron, a certificate
certifying what they have studied and a complimentary voucher for
a set meal or dinner at the hotel's Nipa Thai Restaurant.
The prices for the classes depend upon the number of students enrolling.
A one day lesson for one student, for example, is THB1,950 and THB9,000
for the five day course. If five or more people enroll, the price
of the one day class drops to THB1,300 and the five day class to
THB5,000.
For students interested in learning fruit and vegetable carving,
hands-on two hour lessons are conducted each day from 14:00-16:00
for an additional THB 450. A quick 30 minute lesson on how to make
Tom Yum Goong is conducted each day at 13:00 and 16:30 hours. The
price, at THB 750, is inclusive of a recipe sheet, spices, herbs
and a voucher for Tom Yum Goong at the Nipa Thai Restaurant.
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The Oriental Hotel (0-2659-9000) has been offering Thai cooking
lessons for several years. The instructor, Ajarn Krissanapong Kiattisak,
is a gifted teacher and uses a hands-on approach in teaching. The
programme at the hotel varies at different times of the year so
call for information. Classes are offered in a charmingly restored
villa on the Thonburi side of the river.
Offerings for monks, a tour of local markets, experiential cooking
lessons, a recipe booklet and lunch at the Thara Thong Restaurant
are all a part of the "Thai Cooking Adventure" offered
by the Royal Orchid Sheraton (0-2266-0123). Twenty-four hours notice
and a minimum of four students are required for the classes which
are priced at THB3,500.
The Dusit Thani Hotel (0-2236-9999) also offers classes when enough
students are interested, but bookings need to be made two weeks
in advance. For individuals and groups from overseas, half-day cooking
classes with recipes in a folder are available on Saturdays from
09:00-12:00 in the Benjarong Restaurant, followed by lunch. Students
receive a certificate and a copy of the Benjarong Cooking Class
CD ROM. A minimum of five students is required, but classes are
limited to ten students. The price is THB2,500 per person.
For tour groups, half-day cooking demonstrations with recipes in
a folder will also be conducted for groups of 10-20 persons. The
demonstrations, which take place in the Tiara Restaurant, are followed
by lunch. The price is THB1,500 per person.
Bussaracum (0-22666-6312-8), one of Bangkok's best known independent
Thai restaurants, offers "Royal-Thai Tastes of Thailand cooking
classes. Each class teaches students how to prepare an appetizer,
main course and dessert. After the lesson, there is a buffet lunch,
where students can, among other things, dine on the same dishes
they helped create. The lessons, which take place from 10:30-12:00,
are THB 850 per person with two participants, THB 650 per person
when the number reaches five, and THB 550 per person when the attendance
levels reach ten. There is also an evening programme available.
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