Chef LeeZ Cooking Class Bangkok and market visit — Attraction in Khlong Kum Subdistrict

I had a lovely class on a Sunday, and was fortunate to just have one other in the class so we got a lot of one on one time. I wanted to give a little info about the vibe and format of the class, since that was my big question in choosing one of Bangkok's many classes and a question I still had going in to this one:

Format: We had a quick but informative tour of the market, which is on the main street less than half a block from the entrance to Chef Leez. We weren't buying ingredients (though she did pick up one or two things). Rather, we stopped at vendors and friends and Chef explained the various ingredients, what to look for when selecting items, and things that may look different at home. Then we got to see how real coconut milk and cream are made, which I think is one of the key differences between the way Thai food tastes in Thailand and at home in the US.

Making 12 recipes I thought the class would be very fast paced, but Chef took time to explain everything we needed more information about — including a very thorough explanation of coconut milks at my request.

Because there are so many recipes, there was a prep chef portioning out ingredients and for each recipe so we could focus on technique and demonstration. I thought this might bug me but in fact it was great, and since you're getting the recipes after it would just slow things down (and prob make a mess) if we had to portion ingredients ourselves. There's no way we could have made 12 recipes without this being done for us.

The mango sticky rice was more of a demonstration, but it didn't bother me (especially because it was the best I ate in Thailand).

Vibe: For me this was the perfect mix of professional and intimate. I didn't want a class in someone's home kitchen, and I didn't want something that felt very corporate and formal, or too touristy. Chef Leez has an airconditioned classroom where we worked on cold prep and she gave thorough explanations of recipes. When it was time to cook we took 2 steps outside to a professional kitchen setup where she would demonstrate a recipe, and then we would make it ourselves at our own station with her looking over.

Chef is incredibly knowledgeable and professional, and had an answer for every question I asked. She isn't a home cook, but gives lots of tips on how we can cook at home. Because she is the only teacher, I knew I would be getting a pro and not someone who just took the job.

Knowledge My favorite part about this class was that we made 12 dishes which included all my favorite Thai dishes...most schools make about 5, and often you don't get to choose. My second favorite part was the online access to the large recipe library after the class ended, I think around 70 recipes. Because so much of the class focused on tips and technique, I feel confident I could make any of them on my own (if I can find the ingredients...). And my third favorite part was that there was no pre-made ingredients. Rather everything from tamarind juice to coconut milk was fresh made, "like grandma used to," which is how I like to cook at home. One last great perk to this class was that Chef has visited the US specifically to see what ingredients we have easy access to, and what we will need substitutions for. I think that goes to show her dedication to her work, and I was also grateful for the substitution tips.

One "good to know" note: the location is in the suburbs. It took me about 35 min to get there, during which my Google Maps said everything from 20 min to 50 min. I found everything in Bangkok hard to get to, and I'm glad I didn't rule this out because it was a couple min...

An extraordinary and immersive experience. Leez is authentic, just like her cooking. 'Granma always said...' Everything is ultra-clean, great equipment to work with. 'Granma always said, always wash three times.' 😇

She learned from her grandmother; all the recipes are authentic, and each one contains several stories, each as funny as it is touching. Don't miss it; she's the only one with whom you'll leave with, in addition to the 11 recipes, an incredible immersion in the local culture.

Leez is full of life, good humor, humor, and a smile, and she shares it all like a truly good meal with friends. She takes care of her mind, her body, and her friends in many different and touching ways.

The food we eat is one of the primary causes of our disorders.

In addition to the recipes, Leez teaches you the art of taking care of your body through the fresh ingredients she will share with you.

Honestly, my best experience in Bangkok, or even in Thailand 🥰

The neighborhood is also quieter and prettier, it's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. And the best part is, in addition to the recipes and videos, you get gifts 😍 I won't tell you any more; I'll leave it to Leez to surprise you.

Enjoy tasting fresh produce and...

What a pleasure this course was. I had been in Bangkok for 10 days already and was starting to feel a little worn thin by the heat, humidity, and massive amounts of tourists. I needed a break and this is what was prescribed. My first thought was about the distance to the school. There are several schools within walking distance of my area in Silom district, so this seemed a bit of a stretch. However, thanks to Uber this was easier than ever.

The Chef's sense of humor was a boon to the course. She made it easy to follow and digest the tons of information, history, and reviews of what to look for in other thai restaurants. As an educator, I know what to look for in how curriculum is structured. She had clearly put her time into planning and implementation, but for us it was easy breezy. Almost like watching a ballet. You know it's hard work, but she made it look so effortless.

PS. I arrived an hour early to beat the traffic and was able to walk down the street 10 minutes to the local market. Not the same as the markets inside the city. More casual atmosphere and much cheaper prices. I walked down and got a motorcycle ride back...