The best way to learn the intricacies of the use of tamarind, lemon grass, chili paste and sample Thai cuisine is to cook it on its home ground and consume it in the company of friends and other lovers of Thai cuisine. The Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Art (SITCA) encourages just this.

Located on the tropical island of Koh Samui, the Samui Institute of Thai Culinary Art offers culinary vacations to teach one of the world’s greatest cuisines in a relaxed and informal atmosphere to amateurs, who wish to learn the basics of Thai cooking and to aspiring professionals. A six day course and a twelve day course for professionals are offered in Thai cooking and the royal art of fruit and vegetable carving. The curriculum is practical and comprehensive and is taught by Thai cooks with many years of experience in their craft who make the courses enjoyable. Classes are held in an air conditioned and modern facility and each student is provided with a cooking station. Classes are kept small to address the needs of all levels of cooks. The courses ensure that students are involved in each stage of food preparation. Students help purchase fresh provisions each day, thus getting an introduction to noodles, rice, spices and local vegetable. Suitable substitutes are suggested for ingredients that may not be available in the student’s home countries and many of the recipes can be adjusted for vegetarians. The students consume the food once prepared giving them an idea as to how it should taste. Menus are changed every day so that the students will receive as much exposure as possible to a range of Thai food.

Twice daily three hour classes are held starting with the preparation of Thai curry pastes and teaching the art of chopping, crushing, mixing and cooking particular to Thai cookery. A different paste and dishes that go with it are made each day. Thus sixty dishes are taught in six days. The curriculum exposes students to a whole range of Thai cuisine starting from soups and salads and covering fish and meat preparations and desserts. This is similar to the curriculum of the twelve day professional program.

Nine hours of hands on instruction is provided in fruit and vegetable carving. A step by step instructional booklet is provided to students.

What better way to promote the Thai way of life. The Samui Institute of Thai Culinay Art addresses this in the most fundamental way.

Anantara Lawana Koh Samui offers a rich oriental tropical experience in their Koh Samui resort, where a blend of modern luxury, traditional Thai service, delicious cuisine, interesting in house and outdoor activities makes this a ‘must experience’ Samui beach resort