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  1. Home
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Things To Do

Experience… Chaophraya's Cooking Masterclass

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If you’re looking for something different to do on a Sunday morning, fancy expanding your culinary skills to something more exotic, or you’re looking for a unique gift for a friend or loved one, Chaophraya’s cooking masterclasses offer an ideal solution. The renowned Thai restaurant, located in Eldon Square, offer several options on Sunday mornings which provide a delicious way to learn a new skill, all wrapped up in that famously friendly Thai hospitality. NE1’s Rachel Barlow gave it a go...

I arrived at Chaophraya nice and early on a Sunday morning. We were welcomed by the team with big smiles, and offered a welcome drink while we waited for everyone else to arrive. It was a relaxing way to start the class, and we got a chance to have a chat with everyone beforehand which contributed to a really nice and friendly atmosphere, as you want to see how everyone else gets on!


We were introduced to the head chef. It was really great to get his expertise, knowledge and insight. They run a number of different classes where you can learn to cook everything from Spring Rolls and Red Curry, to classic street dishes like Tom Yum Thai soup and Pad Thai, or family favourites like Thai Green Curry and Sweetcorn Cakes.


We did the Royal Occasion masterclass, and learned to cook Steamed Dumplings and Chicken Massaman Curry. Once we’d been introduced to the chef, we were all taken over to the open-air terrace where we each had our own cooking station with our own utensils. Everyone gets a branded apron and a chef’s hat with their name written in Thai – the attention to detail is absolutely brilliant, and it’s a really immersive class.
 



We started with the dumpling, which the chef made look very easy! We learned how to make everything from the pastry to the filling. I found it a little difficult to get the dumpling filled properly, it’s surprising how much mix goes in it! The head chef came round and was very complimentary, and would offer help if you were struggling with anything, which was really useful. They then took them away and steamed them for you.


Then came the best part – getting to eat your creations! We ate in the private dining room behind the cooking station, where we were served Thai crackers and snacks, plus our steamed dumplings. The portions were huge, I ended up taking mine home and they give us some boxes to take them away.


We returned to our cooking stations and started on the Chicken Massaman Curry. They even showed us how to create our own paste – I didn’t realise how much work goes into getting the paste right! A willing volunteer used a pestle and mortar to make the paste from scratch, then the head chef showed us how to create the curry to our own taste. We all made our own, and we could garnish it how we liked too – my friend had chillies on hers, I had crushed onions. It was a really detailed lesson, they didn’t just teach you how to do it but how to tailor it exactly to your own taste and preferences.


I was really happy with my dish. When I first tasted it, I felt there was something missing, so the head chef helped me to understand what it was that I felt wasn’t quite right. I thought it wasn’t as sweet as I expected a Massaman Curry to be, and he showed me how much sugar I should be adding. We even crushed our own sugar! It was all about trying and tasting.
 



We were then invited back into the private dining room, and we were served steamed jasmine rice, more crackers and the dish we cooked. Again, the portion was huge, so we all went away with goodie bags.


We were given a certificate to show we’d completed the course, and we got to take away a card which showed how to make the recipes at home, so you can go home with your apron and certificate and feel like a Thai chef!


It’s a perfect course for anyone, no matter their skill level. My friend had no cooking knowledge, but there were others who’d been to multiple classes – there were a real range of people, from novices right the way through to culinary experts.

The whole atmosphere was great, and we felt so well looked after. The hosts were amazing, they were really attentive and nothing was too much bother. The class took around two hours and cost £69 per person. I felt it was such a bargain, and would make a wonderful gift for a foodie!

If you’d like to give one of Chaophraya’s Cooking Masterclasses a go, book via their website.

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