Thailand has been on my mind even before Florence (
see the blog on the two cooking schools in Florence). I love Bangkok, and the islands. Dear Terrell Vermont (she help write The Unofficial Guide to Ethnic Cuisine and Dining in America) used to practically live in Chang Mai, and I have never been there. So I started researching.
The first place that drew my attention was the SITCA (Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Arts) Six Day Thai Cuisin
e Immersion. Cost was reasonable (52,500 BHT ~=$1,183 USD )
Sixty dishes are learned hands-on in 6 intensive days.The curriculum has been painstakingly designed to expose students to all areas of the cuisine including salads, curries, soups, stir-fries, steamed dishes, and desserts. Learn many tips about the preparation of authentic Thai cuisine to which non Thais are rarely exposed. Every student prepares every dish. Sessions take place beginning the third Monday of every month. Instruction is Monday through Saturday for one week and begins each day at 10:00 am
They also have a "pro" course that lasts for two weeks, but I have only two weeks and Bangkok is calling.
There are hotels and resorts and hostels galore near the school. I found several:
Hotel, next door …
Queen Boutique Place,
46/9 Moo 3, Chaweng Beach,
Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320
http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/samui/queenboutique/
~46$US/night
Also...
myQxpress chaweng
99/99 Moo 3, Bo Phut Koh Samui, 84320 TH
reviews
~35/night
Even cheaper ....
Penzy Guesthouse, Koh Samui, Thailand
http://www.samui-hotels.com/penzy/index.htm#facilities
~28/night
(only take cash payment on arrival) no breakfast
Then I saw two cooking schools in Chang Mai that looked interesting, and cheaper all the way around:
Thai Cookery School:
http://www.thaicookeryschool.com 5 day cooking school 10am-4pm 4,600 Thai Baht = 132.627 US Dollar
http://www.airthaikitchen.com/
2 day cooking course, including transportation from town
5,500 Thai Baht = 161.748 US Dollar
Hotel in Chang Mai 16 nights
~11152 THB = ~ 327.966 US Dollar
And of course there is Bangkok. Here is what I have found out about the cooking courses there:
The Oriental Hotel
Location: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bangkok
Contact: +66 (0)2 659 9000
Benjarong Cooking Class at the Dusit Thani
Location: At the corner of Silom and Rama IV Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 236 6400
Nipa Restaurant at The Landmark Hotel
Location: Between Sois 4 & 6, Sukhumvit Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 254 0404
As well as the hotels, there are a number of private cooking schools throughout the city:
Royal Thai School of Culinary Arts Naga House
Location: 315 Soi Ongkarak, Dusit
Contact: +66 (0)2 669 3416-8
Blue Elephant Bangkok Cooking School
Location: Blue Elephant Building, 233 South Sathorn Road
Contact: +66 (2) 673 9353
Baipai Thai Cooking School
Location: 150/12 Soi Naksuwan Nonsee Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 294 9029
Tel: 662-294-9029 Fax: 662-294-9027
UFM Baking & Cooking School
Location: Sukhumvit 33 Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 259 0620-3
This is a four day course in Thai cooking in Chang Mai.They provide the transportation to and from town. That would leave 8-10 days in Bangkok. Or more time in Chang Mai for other cooking schools. The reviews look good, the facilities look inviting, and it is, after all, in Thailand.
4 days of cooking lessons cost ~$30/day.
Then there is a fancy one:
