and do it Thai way...

I HATE cooking! - Has that wail ever crossed your lips?

Same Same's Thai Cooking School in Haad Rin

Or is it I LOVE cooking?

Whichever one it is, once you have done a Thai cooking course at Same Same Cooking School you will love it and, for those who already do, enjoy it even more.

The cooking school was started two years ago in Haad Rin, and is run by Krongthip (Thip) wife of Soren, who is the owner of Same Same. It has two professional chefs, Thip herself and Angkana (Oy). Thip trained at Sitca - Samui Institute of Culinary Arts and Oy at Labour Centre in Angthon, Bangkok.

Oy was the instructor of the day. She worked at Sitca for 2½ years and worked as a chef in Sydney, Australia for two years and Brussels, Belgium for one. She has two children a daughter - Amp 23, and a son - Arm 18.

Green Curry

The classes are for a minimum of two people and maximum of six and are run every day of the week. Students have a choice of 4 dishes to cook. The 10 most popular are:
Spicy Prawn Soup *
Green Curry with Chicken *
Pad Thai with Prawns
Pork/Chicken with hot Basil Leaf
Red Curry with Duck
Coconut Milk Soup with Chicken
Pork/Chicken Satay
Chicken with Cashew Nuts *
Penang Curry with Pork/Chicken *
Red Curry with Beef
(* chosen for this class)

Spicy Prawn Soup

And the lucky students are Charlie from the U.K. - his birthday today - and Roman from Germany. They both love Thai food and want to learn how to cook it for when they get home. Also, one up on the girlfriends.

The lesson begins Oy well spoken, extremely professional and efficient - gives all sorts of interesting information and tips along the way.

- Which chillies are the hottest, how many to put in your dish for the required spiciness, and how to cut them to maximize or minimize their effect?
- What is the difference between Thai ginger (Galangal) and ordinary ginger?
- Which part of the two different types of lime do you use and why?
- Coriander - how much to use of which part?
- Mushrooms - which, when, why?
- Which other vegetables can be used?

ChickenCashew Nuts

No, this isn't a quiz and the answers are not in this article. You just have to do the course. It really is the only way. There is so much information in her head that is just waiting for a question from the students.

And preparation begins, then the cooking. The aroma is wonderful. And the taste? To die for. No dish took longer than 30 min to prepare and cook. The longest being the Green Curry with Chicken which had to simmer for 10 minutes.

Penang Curry

It is a relaxing, fun, delightful experience and the food was delicious. You can eat it there, leave it for the staff to eat later or take it home. They have thought of everything.

Did we all enjoy it?

You Betcha!