The Best Cooking Classes In Chiang Mai Thailand

Chiang Mai is not only famous for its delicious food, it is also a hot spot to learn the art of Thai cuisine. Savour the spicey, salty, sour and sweet flavours and learn how to create Thailand’s renowned dishes in a hands-on cooking class. We’ve compiled a list of the best cooking classes the city has to offer and included vegan and vegetarian-friendly options too.

1. May Kaidee’s Cooking School

Restaurant, Thai

May Kaidee’s Cooking School specializes in vegetarian and vegan dishes. The flagship cooking school was opened in Bangkok in 1988. Classes include learning about Thai herbs and spices, making chilli paste from scratch and cooking techniques. Class participants learn how to make eight different dishes and get to try their delicious creations.Classes run twice daily at 9 am and 2 pm and cost 1,500 Baht per person. There is also an express class which is from 3 pm to 5 pm daily for a duration of two hours and costs 1,000 Baht. It is advised to book early on as May Kaidee’s is one of Chiang Mai’s most popular cooking schools.

2. Sammy's Organic Thai Cooking School

Farm Shop, Thai

Sammy’s Organic Thai Cooking School is held on Sammy’s beautiful organic farm just outside of Chiang Mai in the countryside. Your class will start with a trip to the local market to buy local ingredients and learn about different herbs, types of rice and coconut milk. Once you arrive at the farm you’ll get the chance to choose five dishes to make, including Thai spring rolls, a choice of curries and the all-time favourite, mango sticky rice. Sammy is always on hand to guide you and at the end of the class, you get to feast on the tasty dishes you made.Classes run from 9 am to 4 pm (or 5 pm) depending on the size of the group and cost 1,000 Baht per person. Sammy will give you a recipe book to take home so you can recreate the dishes for loved ones back home.

3. Thai Farm Cooking School

Restaurant, Thai

Thai Farm Cooking School is one of Chiang Mai’s most renowned cooking schools and is headed by passionate chef and farmer, Sawat. Participants start with a trip to the morning market followed by a tour around the farm. Most of the herbs used are picked fresh directly from the farm. Choose six dishes to make (vegetarian and vegan options are available). Thai Farm Cooking School provides a fantastic all-around introduction to Thai cooking and you’ll not only leave full, you’ll also leave with leftovers and a recipe book.The full-day course is from 9 am to 5 pm and costs 1,300 Baht per person.

5. The Basil Cookery School

Restaurant, Thai

Basil Cookery School is known for their friendly staff and small classes giving you more one-on-one time with the instructors. Basil Cookery School has a strong focus on healthy eating and provides an introduction to a local market and how to find vegetables, herbs, and spices. The atmosphere is homely like you are cooking in your friends’ kitchen.Basil Cookery School runs two classes per day, a morning class, 9 am to 3.30 pm and evening class, 4 pm till 8.30 pm. Classes cost 1,000 Baht per person.

6. Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School

Restaurant, Thai

Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School is run by one of Thailand’s most famous chefs, Sompon Nabnian and was the first cooking school in Northern Thailand. The school offers beginners and advanced classes as well as a homestay for those that want to study cooking over a longer period of time. The beginners’ courses are based on various themes, for example, ‘Introduction to Thai Spices,’ ‘Making Thai Curry Pastes’ or ‘Vegetable Carving.’ Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School specialises in Lanna, northern Thai cuisine.Courses start from 1,450 Baht per person and a discount is offered if you book more courses. Advanced classes start from 3,000 Baht per person.

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