PUBLISHED November 24th, 2015 04:00 am | UPDATED July 28th, 2017 05:22 pm
Cooking is experiencing a new found interest in Singapore with classes available for those who want to recreate the culinary magic of local hawker fare like chilli crab, laksa or chicken rice at home; right through to Italian and French cookery run by executive chefs, classes for bakers on bread and pastry and much more in between. Quite frankly, when it comes to culinary schools, classes and workshops there is such a good range island-wide, that we are spoilt for choice.
Coriander Leaf
Run by Samia Ahad, an experienced chef and restaurant entrepreneur, Coriander Leaf offers courses that teach you how to cook a myriad of cuisines, ranging from Thai to Singaporean delicacies. Menus are designed to give participants a strong foundation in each cuisine, and are easily replicated at home. Presentation techniques in combining Asian with Western styles, are also taught to input more flair into meals. At the end of each class, participants sit down together with the chef for a full meal to further experience the flavours and discuss the dishes taught. Between seven to eight recipes are taught per session and the school has a loyal band of regular attendees.
Coriander Leaf is located at #02-01 CHIJMES, 30 Victoria St, Singapore 187996. Tel: +65 6837 0142.
ToTT Store
ToTT (short for Tools of the Trade) is a one-stop culinary destination which offers cooking classes in their two state-of-the-art gleaming cooking studios in Bukit Timah. The variety of classes at ToTT is nothing short of amazing and to say you will be spoilt for choice is a gross understatement – there’s just too much for us to pick out a few here, but if confectionary delights, an Indonesian feast or Dim Sum Classics have already got your eyes popping, then just wait until you see the rest of the list – all delivered by a specially curated list of chefs and catered to a variety of different abilities.
See here for different class schedules and venues.
Cookyn Inc
If fun is what you’re after, Cookyn Inc will deliver. They pride themselves on being more than just a cooking school; focusing on fostering social interactions and creating memories that go together with your newly acquired culinary skills. Housed in an industrial chic space at HomeTeamNS, simple recipes which require teamwork and a large pinch of creativity are the order of the day here. Cookyn Inc also specialises in corporate cooking classes for big or small groups, and is a fantastic option if you fancy getting together with your best buds for a birthday cooking party.
Cookyn Inc is located at 31 Ah Hood Rd, Singapore 329979. Tel: +65 6748 4848
Palate Sensations
Set in an open-concept and fully air-conditioned kitchen featuring state-of-the-art facilities in lush surroundings at the Biopolis, Palate Sensations offers a broad range of classes in European and Asian cuisines. On top of that, you can also learn how to whip up a brunch or create scrumptious baked goods. Choose from one of the many three-hour workshops that focus on a specific type of cuisine, or technique-based classes that allow you to hone your skills over a few weeks.
Palate Sensations is located at 10 Biopolis Road, #01-03, Chromos, Singapore 138670. Tel: +65 6478 9746
Cookery Magic
For those who prefer a more informal setting, check out Cookery Magic. From organic farm trips to intimate classes in a century-old Kampong House on Pulau Ubin, Cookery Magic offers a friendly home atmosphere courtesy of Ruqxana Vasanwala, a one-time engineer, conference organiser and IT entrepreneur, who gave it all up to pursue her passion for cooking. The hands-on demonstration classes are conducted in Ruqxana’s home in Opera Estate, off Siglap Road, where she has created a peaceful escape with bohemian decor, a Balinese garden, and cats!
Cookery Magic is located at 117 Fidelio Street, Singapore 458492. Tel: +65 9665 6831
Grandmothers’ Recipes
Ms. Rosaline Soon, author of Peranakan cookbook ‘Grandmothers Recipes – Tales from 2 Peranakan Kitchens’, offers cooking classes to people from all walks of life in her spacious air-conditioned kitchen off Thomson Road. Her classes normally comprise of three dishes taught over two to three hours, with a hands-on demonstration displaying her culinary prowess of whipping up authentic Peranakan and Singaporean dishes. Additional courses include cooking classes for foreign domestic helpers who are new to Singapore.
Grandmothers’ Recipes is located at 81 Gardenia Road, Singapore 578856. Tel: +65 6459 7549
Little Green Kitchen
Specialising in vegetarian cuisine, Little Green Kitchen’s Shalu Asnani (a former lawyer turned chef, cooking instructor, and advocate of all things healthy and sustainable), offers cooking classes in her Upper East Coast Road home. The hands-on classes not only give you the opportunity to learn the recipes, but also cooking techniques and tips on how to ensure sufficient nutrients in a vegetarian meal – making it a perfect platform for anyone wishing to subscribe to a healthier lifestyle.
Little Green Kitchen is located at 1 Hacienda Grove, Singapore 457908. Tel: +65 9763 1483
Buonissimo Culinary School
Headed by Resident Chef Jes, Buonissimo Culinary School was formed around the idea that home-cooks, amateurs, and even professionals can mingle and have fun together with the art of cooking. The courses provided by Buonissimo Culinary School revolve around internationally-themed menus, and hands-on demos will have you dishing out exotic cuisine like Greek, Mexican, and Moroccan in no time. Furthermore, private events and corporate team-building sessions can be easily arranged as well.
Buonissimo Culinary School is located at 9 Norris Road #02-01, Little India, Singapore 208252. Tel: +65 98300231
ABC Cooking Studio
It was high-time that this culinary institution made an appearance in Singapore. With multiple outlets in countries such as Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, the newly opened ABC Cooking Studio is undoubtedly one of the most esteemed cooking schools in Asia. Located within Takashimaya Shopping Mall, ABC Cooking School promotes the idea that cooking is vital for living a healthy life and making your own food should be enjoyed by all. Courses here cover a wide spectrum of cooking techniques, with bread-making, pastry sessions, and Japanese cuisine lessons all trademarks at this respected centre of learning.
ABC Cooking Studio is located at #03-12/12A Takashimaya S.C., 391A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238873. Tel: +65 6694 6104
Food Playground
Heritage is the name of the game at Food Playground. Conveniently located at the historical grounds of Chinatown, these culture-loving food enthusiasts pride themselves on exploring the diversity of Singapore’s multi-cultural food traditions, and this factor is aptly represented by the numerous classes that specialise in authentic Singaporean cuisines such as Laksa, Chicken Rice and Satay. Want to learn these classic dishes in large groups? No problem. Food Playground has got you covered with their team building and private party options.
Food Playground is located at 24A Sago Street, Singapore 059020. +65 9452 3669
A few Nomad tips from us on how to get the best out of your cooking class experience:
- Choose a format that you are comfortable with, whether it is a one-day class or a full course, depending on your time commitment.
- Decide on the cuisine you are interested in and the skills you want to acquire.
- Check out the different price options!
- Go equipped with an open mind and a willingness to learn; ask questions and get your hands dirty.
- Practice what you have learnt and gather together friends and family who are willing to be your ‘tasting guinea pigs’ and constructive culinary critics.
Happy Cooking!
Top Image: A class underway at Palate Sensations