Cooking classes in Chiang Mai

There are no two ways about it. Admiring picturesque landscapes and breathtaking architecture make up some of the best parts of travelling. We love to go on holiday to escape from reality and lose ourselves in the magic of somewhere new. Nestled in Northern Thailand's foothills, Chiang Mai is no exception.

The 'Rose of the North' dates back to the 1200s making it one of Thailand's oldest cities. As you might expect, it's bursting at the seams with historical richness.

But that isn't all Chiang Mai has to offer. If you want to immerse yourself in the city's culture properly, how better than through its cuisine? There are about a dozen diverse street stalls for you to try here.

But if you really want to take your culinary experience to the next level and create unique memories, try a cooking class. The key is finding a full day course that starts early. This way, you can embrace the entire gastronomy journey from start to finish. Some classes will take you shopping to the local markets in Chiang Mai where you can buy your produce ahead of preparing it. This is a chance to pick your teacher's brains so you wont be left scratching your head in curiosity about weird and wonderful fruits and vegetables.

You'll want a class that gives you the opportunity to get hands on with every detail, allowing you to understand the nuts and bolts of Thai cooking. Thai food is incredibly versatile, and you can make a wide range of recipes with the same few ingredients. The slightest tweak can transform the simplest of recipes, dramatically changing the outcome.

How are you with spices? It's a little known fact that Thai restaurants in the West only use about 25% of the spice found in traditional Thai cooking. In Chiang Mai, you can find a class that will push your taste buds to the limit. The baseline to any Thai dish is refining the perfect balance of sweet, sour, spicy, and salty characteristics.

By learning how to harmonise these elements properly, you can learn how to scale flavours to suit your taste. So next time your mouth's on fire because your meal's too hot, you'll know how to adjust it and make it enjoyable.

Are you vegetarian or vegan and struggling to find suitable meals? All it takes is switching oyster for mushroom sauce and being clear that you'd rather not use meat or eggs and you unlock a whole new world of possibilities. Before you know it, you'll be making culinary magic and gaining skills that will stay with you long after you get home. Learning to cook like a local will bring an unparalleled level of authenticity to your holiday.

When planning your travels in Chiang Mai, be sure to add 'cooking school' to your list.

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