The Best Cooking Classes in Chiang Mai, Thailand

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.

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.

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.

Asia Scenic Thai Cooking School offers two locations in Chiang Mai to pick from. A trip to a local market to select the ingredients is included and then participants select up to seven dishes to create with the expert guidance of the super friendly instructors.

Full or half day courses are available at either the town or farm location. Price per person is between 800 – 1,200 Baht.

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.

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.

Thai Orchid Cookery School offers home-style cooking in small groups. Classes take place at the family home in a cozy environment. Thai Orchid Cookery School’s philosophy is that every meal is beautiful and should be prepared with care and love. Cooking courses begin with demonstrations from the instructors which clearly take you through step-by-step. At the end of the cooking class, you’ll be given a recipe book which has 25 delicious recipes in it for you to take home.

Classes are daily from 9.30 am to 3 pm and cost 1,200 Baht per person and evening classes are offered Monday to Friday and cost 1,000 Baht per person.