Traditional Thai Cooking Class with a Local Chef Krabi

The cooking school and open-air kitchen near Ao Nang

The class takes place at a family-run cooking school a short drive from Ao Nang, in a clean open-air kitchen where the breeze keeps the cooking area comfortable. Each guest has an individual station with a wok, a gas burner, a chopping board and all the utensils, so you cook every dish yourself rather than watching a demonstration.

The family behind the school has taught guests from all over the world, and the chef guides the group through each step at a calm pace, from chopping and pounding to the final seasoning. Drinking water is provided throughout. It is one of the most popular things to do in Ao Nang on a rainy day or a rest day between island trips, as it needs no swimming or boat ride.

The 6-course Thai meal you cook

Across about four hours you prepare a 6-course meal that includes a Thai curry, a stir-fry and a dessert, along with other classic dishes chosen by the chef. You learn how Thai cooks balance sour, sweet, salty and spicy flavours, how to handle fresh herbs such as lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves, and how to control the heat of the wok.

Spice levels are adjusted to your taste, so mild eaters and chilli lovers can cook side by side. Tell us about allergies or diets when booking so the chef can plan alternatives. At the end everyone sits down together to eat the meal, which is more than enough for lunch or dinner, and the recipes come with you in a downloadable recipe book.

Ao Nang and the Krabi coast

Ao Nang is the main beach town of Krabi province, facing a coastline of limestone cliffs and islands, and it is the starting point for boat trips to Railay, the Hong Islands and the Phi Phi Islands. The cooking class gives you a different side of Krabi: the flavours of Southern Thailand, where seafood, coconut and fresh herbs shape the local food.

Krabi's cuisine has strong Southern Thai roots, shaped by seafood, coconut and the cooking of the province's large Muslim community, and the food stalls in town are a good place to try again the dishes you learned. After the class our driver brings you straight back to your hotel in Ao Nang, leaving the rest of the day free for the beach or an evening at the night market.

Choosing your class time

The class runs three times a day, at about 09:00, 13:00 and 17:00, and each session lasts around four hours including transfers. The morning class ends with an early lunch and leaves the afternoon free, the afternoon class fits after a morning on the beach, and the early-evening class finishes with dinner as the sun goes down.

Pickup times are set shortly before the start, and we confirm yours after booking. Comfortable clothes are best, as you will stand at your station and work with hot pans. A digital photo album of the session is shared after the class, so you can enjoy cooking without worrying about taking pictures. Booking a day or two ahead is wise in the high season.