Thai Cooking Classes on Koh Samui

Twenty years ago, visiting Thailand was all about Royal Palaces, Classical dancing, good weather and sunshine. Plus it didn't rip a hole in your wallet while you were here.

But in the last generation, it's all gone mango-shaped. During this time Thai cuisine has spread and is now the second most-popular food next to Japanese. (Sorry India and China - it's true!)

And what that means is that not only does everybody like to eat Thai food, but they have also discovered that it's really easy to make. The demand creates a supply: meaning that, today, everybody and his dog (plus his granny) is offering Thai cooking classes on Samui!

Which is no bad thing at all - although it does make the decision of where to go to do a cooking class (or course) a bit more difficult.

90% of the time you will opt to take a Thai cookery class exactly where you are - in your resort. Because your resort is sure to be offering one.

But there are a lot more options open to you if you are really serious about going Thai. But all these courses are different. Some are long, some are short. Some take you out to a local market to buy your ingredients, others simply prepare everything for you in advance. With some, you'll just make one dish. Others will create a whole Thai table for you with four of five plates.

The location and the personality of the chef teacher is another and often overlooked element - there's nothing more depressing that a teacher with a personality like a fish. There are even classes held in the crowded, sweaty kitchen of the resort because they are too lazy to put up a table outside! Be warned - not all classes are the same!

There are just two professional cooking schools on Samui - the long-established "SITCA" and the up-and-coming "Pro Chef" at Destinations Resort in Choeng Mon. Both are excellent and offer affordable and competetent beginners courses as well as "catering' (!) for profession cooks too.

Every month the free paper "Samui Wining & Dining" reviews yet another cooking class at a local resort, and this is a good guide.

But, whether you decide to stay in house or scout around, there are a hundred choices. Don't just grab the first one you see!