Instead of scrambling for that dinner reservation on Feb. 14, why not make an effort and wow your date with a home-cooked meal? The sweat that went into the dinner (not literally, we hope) says much more than your ability to splash the cash and will definitely improve your chances of getting something sweet for dessert. Just pick one of these classes to transform yourself from a cooking cretin into a culinary maestro.
ASIAN
Thai • Blue Elephant Cooking School
You’re Cooking For: Your farang lover.
The Course: The “royal Thai cuisine” restaurant also houses a school, which holds daily morning and afternoon sessions. For early birds, the class begins at 8:45am with a trip to Bang Rak market and a lesson in the art of buying produce. If you don’t do early, then the afternoon session starts at 1pm. Both classes last around four hours, with an hour of theory and the rest of the time dedicated to actually cooking a four-course meal. After slaving over a hot stove, you get to relax with a meal in the restaurant. (On Sundays, only the morning session is offered.)
The Cost: B2,800 for one class. If you want to cook for a vegetarian then shell out B6,000 for the specialist full-day class. They also have longer package options if one session just isn’t enough.
Blue Elephant Cooking School & Restaurant, 233 South Sathorn Rd., 02-673-9353/-8. BTS Surasak. www.blueelephant.com
Thai • Baipai Thai Cooking School
You’re Cooking For: The backpacker you met at Khao San one drunken night.
The Course: The school (mainly frequented by tourists) offers one to five-day cooking classes every week, Tue-Sun. They offer two sessions, 9:30am-1:30pm and at 1:30-5:30pm. You will learn four recipes from one of the seven set menus which are rotated every six days. After cooking “classic” Thai dishes like pad thai, satay and fish cakes, you get to take home their Thai recipe book so you can master the cuisine in the comfort of your own kitchen.
The Cost: B1,800.
150/12 Soi Naksuwan, Nonsee Rd., 02-294-9029. www.baipai.com
Thai • Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Thai Cooking School
You’re Cooking For: Your uptight white collar boyfriend.
The Course: Oriental’s instructor, Khun Narain, will take you through one of their different daily set menus. Classes are scheduled Mon-Sat, 9am-12:30pm. You will learn four different courses including appetizer, two mains and one dessert. The menu rotates so give them a call if you want to know which Thai dishes you will be cooking.
The Cost: B4,000.
Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Ave., 02-659-9000
Indian • Mrs. Balbir’s
You’re Cooking For: The hot Sharukh Khan look-alike you met at Bombay Blues last night.
The Course: Here you get to learn the art of both Thai and Indian cuisine, particularly Punjabi cooking, with lessons led by the famous Mrs. Balbir. Classes are scheduled every Saturday, 2-6pm, with each session covering up to five dishes. A full course can last between 3-6 weeks. If you can get a minimum of three friends to sign up, then Mrs. Balbir will accommodate you any day of the week. Participants also receive a B500 dinner voucher for her restaurant. By the way, she’s just finished moving to a bigger space (new address below) with a full-blown cooking studio a few steps away from the old spot.
The Cost: It’s B2,000 per session.
Mrs. Balbir’s, 155/122 Sukhumvit Soi 11/1, 08-1835-6553. BTS Asok. www.mrsbalbir.com
Japanese • Tsu & Nami
You’re Cooking For: Your tired Japanese bussinessman who just needs a good meal and an Asahi.
The Course: The Marriott’s Japanese restaurant holds its monthly cooking workshops (every first Saturday) led by the venerable head chef himself, Chef Aki. He will start off covering how to select your ingredients before revealing the art behind cooking real traditional Japanese food. The menu consists of five different courses: cocktail, appetizer, soup, main and dessert. The class is limited to 12 people. At the end of your studies, you get to taste your creations before heading home with a souvenir apron and certificate. The price difference between the Tsu and Nami classes is based on the ingredients. At the Tsu class you will be handling raw fish, while at Nami you will be grilling up steaks and tossing Japanese salads.
The Cost: The cooking class at Tsu starts at 8:50am and is B1,900. The second class at Nami is B1,500 and starts at 1:30pm.
JW Marriott, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700
Healthy • Anotai
You’re Cooking For: Your go-green gay lover who supports the organic movement.
The Course: Whatever you want to learn as long as it’s vegetarian (she will cook seafood, but that’s the limit).
It’s “healthy” cuisine, but chef and owner Anotai Gongvatana (see First Person, page 31), doesn’t want you to get the impression that this means tasteless, fanatic food. Instead, it covers real, natural recipes that, where possible, utilizes organic ingredients. She and her husband own an organic farm called Rai Bluuk Rak (roughly translated as “the farm of growing love”) up in Ratchaburi, so she is a big proponent of natural produce. The class is by appointment only, so call her first for a consultation.
The Cost: B2,000-3,500 per person for one session (3 hours). The price depends on the dishes you want to learn how to cook.
Anotai Restaurant, 976/17 Soi Rama 9 Hospital, 02-641-5366/-70
Sichuan • Liu
You’re Cooking For: Your sia.
The Course: From Feb 20-Mar 1 the Conrad will host guest chefs Xie Zheng Jie and Li Yang Bo from Shanghai’s Hilton. On Feb 21 and 28 the chefs will hold special classes letting you in on the secrets of Sichuan cuisine. The price includes lunch and a certificate.
The Cost: B1,750 per person.
Conrad, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999
Vegetarian • May Kaidee’s
You’re cooking For: Your model-cum- lover or your PETA crazy, peace and love vegan girlfriend.
The Course: The vegetarian/vegan restaurant is all about the organic movement. They hold daily cooking classes with morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session is 9am-1pm daily with a trip to the local market. Early birds get to learn 10 recipes including pad thai, massaman curry, green curry, spring rolls, somtum, pumpkin hummus and vegetarian Isaan dishes. The afternoon class is 2-3pm and only focuses on the dishes in the May Kaidee menu. You must register online for the afternoon session.
The Cost: B1,200.
33 Samsen Soi 1, Samsen Rd., 08-9137-3173. www.maykaidee.com
Healthy • Mandara Spa Academy of Spa Cuisine
You’re Cooking For: Khun nuu.
The Course: The title “spa cuisine” simply stands for healthy food, with fresh natural ingredients that aren’t overcooked. The dishes you will learn are fusion creations. The session begins at 9:30am, but unlike your typical class, this one begins with a 60-minute Bali floral oil massage; not a bad way to start studying. The actual cooking begins at 10:45am and you’ll get to eat your “spa” meal around 1pm. And of course, you’ll get the apron, certificate and recipe book.
The Cost: B6,000.
Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa, 257 Charoennakorn Rd., 02-476-0022
BAKED GOODS
Sweets • Sugaroma
You’re Baking For: Your Thai GF.
The Course: The owner herself, Sirinut Jungtamdeerungkajorn, a.k.a Khun Oh, will be teaching you the basics of baking. The classes are small with just four students at a time, but give her a call and you can set up your own private group or session. Classes are around 4-5 hours long.
The Cost: To learn how to bake cookies or brownies the price tag is B3,800, and cup cakes is B4,350 while cheesecake classes are B5,250-5,000. Harder recipes like mousse cakes will see you shelling out B5,500. All prices include ingredients, Khun Oh’s special recipe and an apron.
60 Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-381-9384. http://sugaromashop.multiply.com
PIZZA AND PASTA
Italian • La Gritta
You’re Cooking For: Your sweetie Luigi.
The Course: They will schedule a class once they have a group of 8-10 people, so here’s hoping you have lots of friends. When it takes place will depend on Chef Francesco Greco’s schedule but they usually run 9am-noon. The head chef will take you through the basics of Italian cooking by covering three dishes. You will more than likely cook recipes such as spaghetti alla carbonara, lasagna alla Bolognese and tiramisu. After the lesson you get a lunch buffet along with a 10 percent discount voucher for your next visit, a recipe booklet, a group photo and certificate authenticating your newly acquired culinary flair.
The Cost: B1,450.
Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-255-7350
Italian • Rossini’s
You’re Cooking For: Your gig Mario.
The Course: Every Friday (if they have bookings),10:30am-1:30pm, you can learn from Chef Gaetano Palumbo. He will demonstrate a four-course meal before letting you give it a go. After the class the chef will prepare the recipes he just went over, so you can indulge in a professionally prepared lunch, not the mess you just cooked up. The obligatory apron and certificate will also be handed over after class.
The Cost: B1,590.
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Rd., (near soi 10), 02-649-8364. BTS Asok.
THEY DO IT ALL
Cocktails AND Food • i do catering
You’re Cooking For: A group of your married friends.
The Course: It’s a cooking party. Here they can teach you everything, from cocktail mixology to actual meals. Besides teaching you basic cooking, this catering service will also offer advice on how to throw a great party. The cooking party includes three recipes and a drink. For a class of four to six people, they will host the class at their office, but if you have a lot of friends, they can move the cooking party to your home.
The Cost: B950 per person.
6 Soi Ari Sampan 9, Rama 6 Rd., 08-7679-5588 (Khun Kaeng). www.ido-catering.com
Thai and Baked Goods • UFM Baking and Cooking School
You’re Cooking For: Your significant other who’s already in the industry.
The Course: The place is actually a real school, for wannabe-chefs trying to make it as pros. However, they also offer some courses for cooking novices who just want to learn the basics. Upcoming classes include the basic cake course, Feb 10-13, 9am-4:30pm, where the instructors will teach you baking theory and then let you try your hand at 15 different cake recipes. For some Thai cuisine, try their Thai cookery class, which will take place Feb 16-20. You will be cooking 10 dishes.
The Cost: The basic cake course comes to B4,000 and the Thai cookery class is a cool B5,000.
Try the Sukhumvit branch: 593/29-39, Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 02-259-0620/-30
Asian, European and desserts • Chef’s Club
You’re Cooking For: Your elitist-foodie boyfriend.
The Course: They teach everything with the dishes varying from week to week, so call in advance to see what’s going on in the kitchen. You can learn Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian and European dishes. Chef Ing and his team will lead the one-day course. It will take up to two hours to learn one menu, so they limit their class to three to six people. For the private class, they will tailor it to your liking, menu and time.
The Cost: The starting fee is around B2,500-3,000. But if you want to indulge in more than one menu then they’ll offer a 10-15 percent discount. Private classes are based on the menu. Their promotional package lets you shell out B22,000 for ten menus.
4/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-129-4558, BTS Siam
The Five Essential Tools
We ask the famous executive chef of Mandarin Oriental (48 Oriental Ave.,
02-659-9000), Chef Norbert Kostner, what are the five utensils every good cook needs?
“It’s a happy marriage, the chef and his tools. So these basic tools are very important. The best chefs will always use the best equipment, the best knives, ovens, stoves, chopping boards. Great tools help the chef. It’s not rocket science.”
Every good chef needs:
- First-rate pots and pans. In fact, getting good quality pans is essential. After all, you cook in a pan and boil in a pot. It’s that simple.
- A good roasting oven. You need something that will roast your food evenly. You don’t want a roast chicken that’s half burnt and half raw.
- A high-quality mixing machine. You need this for so many things from making dough to creating pastes. With a good mixer you can do a lot.
- Sharp knives are very important. If you are chopping an onion with a dull knife, you can cut your finger because you are pressing too hard. But when you slice with a sharp knife, its fun, easier and safer. With a good knife you can control and cut much better. And it gives a great cut, so the end result doesn’t look like it has been hacked about so it makes for a nicer presentation.
- A darn hot stove. Time is very important when you cook. It takes time to heat up a pan, boil water, but with a hot stove, you can save time.
bk asks: What is your worst cooking disaster?
Areena Narang, 23, entreprenuer
I was studying in England and our flat didn’t have a rice cooker, so I had to boil my rice in a pot. Once, in a hurry, I was boiling the rice and left it to go shower. When I came back to check on it, the rice was burning and my hair caught fire! Thank goodness, it only singed and I’m not bald!
Molly Navanat, 21, student
I tried to cook an omelet by putting it in the microwave. Of course, the egg blew up staining the walls of the microwave. The worst part was it left a funky smell for almost a week.
Brian Prasomsri, 30, regional sales and distribution manager
When I was in Italy I learnt how to cook all these pasta dishes. One day I figured I was going to host a dinner and invited 5 girls to my place, trying to impress one of them. The main dish was this pasta with tomato and tuna, the easiest thing to make. It was supposed to taste like a tomato-based dish with a hint of tuna but I actually put in way too much tuna and garlic. It just reeked of fish and I ended up alone that night.
David Abonyi, 23, research analyst
While at university, I decided to prepare a fish curry for my housemates. In a rush, I decided to thaw the fish in the sink, so wrapped it in a plastic bag and left it under a stream of lukewarm water. Satisfied, I ran to the grocery store a few blocks away to get the remaining ingredients. When I got home I was greeted by my stone-faced housemates, who had come home to find that the kitchen was flooded up to their ankles. I waded to the sink and found that the fish had slithered into the drain, completely blocking it.
Idiot-Proof Recipe #1
Pink Drink
By Chef Anotai Gongvatana of Anotai (976/17 Soi Rama 9 Hospital, 02-641-5366/-70. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cranberry juice
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ½ cup orange juice
- 1 ½ cups ginger ale
- 4 tbsp (or more) Vodka, optional
Method:
Mix everything together and serve over ice.
Note:
For an extra romantic touch, frozen strawberries can be used in place of ice.
Idiot-Proof Recipe #2
Chocolate Soup with fresh berries
By Chef Art Supapipat of Zeist (3/F, 27 Methawattana Building, Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-651-0371/2. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-midnight)
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 200g chocolate
- 200g milk
- 200g cream
- Sprig fresh thyme
Method:
Put all the ingredients together into a saucepan. Place on medium heat until hot, constantly stirring the mixture. Once they are fully combined then serve. Place fresh berries around the plate for decoration.
Idiot-Proof Recipe #3
Angel Hair Pasta with Anchovy, Tomato & Basil
By Vanilla (818 Midtown Thonglor Building, Soi Thonglor, 02-714-9652. Open daily 10am-11pm)
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 60g cappellini (angel hair) pasta
- 2-3 pieces of anchovy
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove of chopped garlic
- 2 pieces of black olive
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- chopped parsley and thyme
- mozzarella cheese
- 5-7 leaves of basil
- salt and pepper
Method:
- Fill a pot with water and add a pinch of salt and a splash of olive oil.
- Bring the water to boil and add the cappellini pasta. Leave to cook for 3-4 minutes before draining it.
- In a large saucepan, on medium heat, add two tablespoons of olive oil. Once heated, add the chopped garlic and anchovies and cook until the garlic turns slightly golden brown.
- Add salt and pepper, tomatoes, black olives, the cooked pasta, and toss.
- Garnish with basil and parsley.
- Sprinkle mozzarella to your liking and serve.
PLUS:
5 Top Tips To Cooking A Great Pasta Dish
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