Learn how to make a classic Pad Thai
Basic ingredients: UK restaurant group Thaikhun (pronounced “tycoon”) has a mission: to introduce the nation to authentic Thai street food. It plans to do this via cookery classes, which “ensure you learn all the skills necessary to recreate the dishes at home”. Thaikhun Cooking courses run for about two hours and are taught in small groups of around six to eight participants and priced at the very reasonable £50 mark. Mocktails are served on arrival before an introduction to Thai street food and a hands-on lesson where students are taught to cook a starter and main from scratch. Classic dishes include tom yum soup or fish cakes and green curry or pad Thai. The session concludes with eating the fruits of your labour, a glass of wine and a parting gift of “Thaikhun goodies” to take home. The courses are currently run at restaurants in Manchester, Aberdeen, Oxford, Cambridge, Glasgow Silverburn, Metrocentre Gateshead and Nottingham – so no excuses for not mastering your favourite Thai dish.
They say: The best Thai food comes from using the freshest ingredients, along with the skilful art of preparation and combining the right ingredients at the right time to create an exceptional dish. Unlock the secrets of Thai cooking and master the art to impress your loved ones at home.
We say: Thaikhun strikes us as being a bit like a Thai version of Thomasina Miers’ ground-breaking Mexican Wahaca restaurants. It promises real flavours in a “casual dining experience” and testimonials suggest its cookery classes are just that – tasty, fun and informal. For those keen to learn, there is a deep well of experience to draw on. Joint restaurant owner/chef director, Kim Kaewkraikhot (now the Thaikhun tycoon!), started out with a celebrated street stall in Bangkok, and instills her values of cheery passion and superb service into staff during hands-on training.
thaikhun.co.uk/
