I looked through quite a few different Thai cooking schools and choose this one for a few reasons. First of all, it was really cheap compared to the other courses.

Most of the other English-language Thai cooking schools were around $100. True, these courses offered a more in-depth approach to cooking, like a field trip to the market place and a lecture on veggies. Pum’s Cooking School also has an in-depth course but they give you a free cookbook and a bunch of other goodies.

I wasn’t interested in spending all day in the kitchen while Phuket was out waiting for me. Instead, I signed up for a 1 ½ hour class that cost 900 Baht and I got a free cook book. I learned three dishes, including green curry. This one was marketed towards “people who are hungry and impatient.” That sounded perfect for me!

Pum’s Cooking school also has 6 other courses depending on how much you want to learn. The instructors at Pum’s were all really helpful and patient. Most of them have been working at Pum’s restaurant for a while now and you can tell they are really skilled chefs.

They not only make everything seem so easy, but they explain all the steps and ingredients really clearly. I liked that they discussed alternatives that could be used if we couldn’t find an ingredient. Not everyone lives next to a Thai grocery store back home! The course I took was really for everyday people wanting to learn new foods, not for professional chefs. The dishes learned are realistic, meaning that they are quick to make and tasty. Once you finish your course, you can sit down in the restaurant and eat your meal.

I definitely recommend this to everyone, even non-foodies. Food is one of the most important aspects of a culture and you can learn a lot about Thailand through this cooking class.