We are both massive fans of Thai food and thought it would be nice to take a class while we were in Thailand. We heard about a famous cooking school in Chiang Mai and signed up for a full day course.
We met the guides downtown and they took us to a local market to learn about the ingredients we would use - check out the giant banana flower!!
After the market, we were ushered on to the back of a pick-up truck and taken to the school which was about 45 minutes away. The Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School was located in a luxurious villa in an upscale neighborhood. We were each given our own cooking station and the necessary tools . . . it was really a beautiful place to spend the day!
One dish at a time, we learned to make 6 Thai specialties from the school's founder, Sompon Nabnian. He is basically the 'Gordon Ramsay' of Thailand (without the fits) and has appeared many times on international TV.
Here's what we made . . .
Dish #1 - Tom Kha Gai - Chicken in coconut milk soup
Dish # 2 - Raad Nah Muu - Fried big noodles with thick sauce and pork
Dish # 3 - Phad Hed Ruam Khao Podom - Fried mixed mushrooms with baby corn.
Dish # 4 - Gaeng Phed Plaa - Red curry with fish
. . . Chef extraordinaire contemplating his next culinary masterpiece . . .
. . . too full . . .
. . . but she's back at it again . . .
Dish # 5 - Som Tam - Papaya salad
Dish # 6 - Khanom Kluay - Steamed banana cake
Well, the cooking school was awesome!!! Every dish was a winner! We've got recipes and have tried a few out since our trip. Get yourselves ready for some delicious Thai food when we get back to Canada!!
After the cooking school, we were tired and stuffed so we laid low and wandered around Chiang Mai for the rest of the evening. We had to catch a train back to Bangkok, anyway. We tried buying 1st class sleeper car tickets but they were sold out - we ended up with 2nd Class coach seats. That meant no bed this time. How bad could it be? Just ask Shawna! Here's the scene - literally 3 minutes into the 12 hour ride . . .
Don't worry Shawna - soon we'll be in Cambodia!!!!!!
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