I am vegetarian/vegan

No worries — mention it when booking. The chef replaces all animal proteins with tofu, mushrooms or vegetable substitutes. Thai curries lend themselves very well to veganism.

I don't know how to cook, is this suitable?

This is exactly the right level. The steps are broken down, the chef gives a demonstration then you repeat at your own pace. No pressure. You don't miss your dishes.

From 8-10 years old, children love it (especially the market part and the curry pounder). Below, they are a little bored — we therefore recommend the morning formula rather than the day.

You dose yourself. The chef shows you how to adjust the chili pepper (2 small chili peppers = mild, 4 = medium, 6 = authentic Thai, 10+ = courage). You can also make a non-spicy version.

French speaking possible?

On request and according to the weekly schedule. Most sessions are in fluent English (easy to follow even without great English). If you want to guarantee a French-speaking chef, book at least 5 days in advance.

Can I redo the dishes at home?

Yes, all the equipment is in your Western kitchen (wok + pestle + high heat). The ingredients can be found in Asian grocery stores. The PDF e-book sent after the course covers all the steps with photos.

Thai Cooking Class Chiang Mai — Farm & Market Tour

Learn authentic Thai cooking at a Chiang Mai farm. Visit local market, organic farm tour, then cook 5-8 dishes with a Thai chef. Vegetarian & vegan options. Includes recipe e-book.

6 h — Full day: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Half day morning: 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Half day afternoon: 3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.family · couple · solo · groupLevel easy

From 850 THB / per person≈ €22

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Instant confirmation · secure payment · local team

Why this course rather than another

Chiang Mai offers around thirty cooking schools. We work with Smile Organic Farm because it ticks the five criteria that matter:

Real organic farm — you pick the herbs you cook.
Small groups (6-10 students max) — individual station, leader available.
Authentic local market — not the tourist market remade for coaches.
Native vegetarian/vegan options, not transplanted at the last minute.
Recipes provided in PDF — so you don't forget anything when you get home.

What makes the day special

You start from the field, not the supermarket. The herbs come out of the ground 15 minutes before going into your wok.
The curry pestle is a highlight. Grinding galangal, lemongrass, chili peppers and roots with a traditional pestle is cooking you don't do anywhere else — except in Thailand.
The chef has time. This is not a TV production style cooking show. He is a craftsman who calmly passes on his craft to you.

Three formulas

Formula	Schedules	Dishes	Price
Full day	8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.	8 dishes	1,300 THB
Half day morning	8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.	5 dishes	850 THB
Half day afternoon	3:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.	5 dishes	850 THB

Our advice: if it's your first day in Chiang Mai, take the morning — you see the local market first, it's the best rite of arrival.

What to bring

Hair tied back if you have it (the farm can be a little windy).
Camera — the finished dishes look great.
Appetite: you eat everything you cook.

Our tip: many travelers follow the evening with the Sunday Walking Street Market (every Sunday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., in the old town). Street food, Lanna crafts, live music — the perfect extension of your cooking day.

Detailed programme

8h00
Hotel pick-up
Air-conditioned minibus to local market. Welcome snack and tea.
8h30
Market visit
The chef introduces you to Thai herbs (holy basil, coriander, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir leaves), curry pastes, vegetables, fish. You taste the curiosities (ant eggs, grilled grasshoppers — optional!).
9h30
Organic farm
20-30 min walk in the rice fields and vegetable gardens. Picking fresh herbs for cooking (basil, peppers, lemongrass).
10h15
Cooking session 1: starters and soups
Fresh spring rolls (or tempura), Tom Yum Goong (lemongrass shrimp soup) or Tom Kha Gai (coconut chicken soup).
11h30
Cooking session 2: curries and stir-fries
Curry paste with drumstick (you make it yourself), then Green Curry or Massaman. At the same time, Pad Thai or Pad See Ew in the wok.
13h00
Tasting meal
We eat everything we cooked together. Relaxed conversation, photos, paper recipes handed out.
14h30
Return to hotel
For the half-day morning formula: end of the course. For the full day: 3 additional dishes (mango sticky rice dessert, coconut milk dessert).

Included / Not included

Included

Return transfer from your hotel (Chiang Mai old town, radius 3 km)
Guided tour of a local Thai market
Guided walk in the partner organic farm
Welcome snack + drinks (water, tea)
All fresh ingredients
Individual cooking station (wok + work surface)
English-speaking head teacher (French-speaking on request, subject to reservation)
E-book of recipes in PDF (sent by email after the course)
Apron and charlotte

Not included

Additional meals (you eat what you cook! 5 to 8 dishes, plenty to be full)
Alcoholic drinks
Hotel transfer outside the old town (+150 THB)
Chef tip (optional)

Before you go

Good to know

Beat the crowds
Iconic spots like Maya Bay are far calmer early in the day. Our morning departures get you there before the midday ferry rush.
National park fees
Some sites sit inside a national park, so an entrance fee may apply. Check the “Not included” list above so there are no surprises.
Sun & reef care
The tropical sun is strong — bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water. Reef-safe sunscreen is required in Thai marine parks.
What to pack
Comfortable shoes, light breathable clothing, water and a small backpack for the day.

Frequently asked

Full day (1,300 THB, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.): 8 courses. Half day morning (850 THB, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.): 5 courses. Half day afternoon (850 THB, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.): 5 courses.