However expert you are in the kitchen, there’s always a new technique or cuisine to master. We put on our aprons and sharpened our Sabatiers to track down 20 of the best cookery schools in Hong Kong.
Baking
Complete Deelite
From cookies to gateaux, this is the place to go to learn the art of baking. Jacinta Yu is the founder of Complete Deelite and something of a cake expert. Once you have mastered the art of baking, enrol in the four-day Wilton Method course in cake decorating.
3/F, On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central
3167 7022 | completedeelite.com
By Joanne Stylish Baking
Cookery writer Joanne Poon and her team of highly skilled instructors will take you through the art of cakes, cookies and pastries. But don’t be fooled by the name, classes also include Italian classics and Asian flavours from Malaysian to Vietnamese
All of the instructors are fully bilingual.
5/F, Cheung Po Hing Building, 427-429 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay
2833 2066 | byjoanne.com.hk
The Little Kitchen Cookery Studio
The class schedule of this spacious studio get updated each month, but when we glanced at the calendar it included everything from lemon tarts with Italian meringue to classic French croissants. Yum! There are also DIY baking kits for preparing your own marvels at home. You can learn to cook savoury dishes in their private classes, too – from lobster risotto to Thai green curries and more.
19/F, Oxford Commercial Building, 494-496 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei
9133 6421 | tlk.com.hk
Chinese
Martha Sherpa’s Cooking School
No need to head to Dragon Eye to indulge in dim sum, just enrol in one of Martha Sherpa’s world-renowned classes and you’ll be rustling them up in no time. US cooking bible Gourmet Magazine rates this as one of the world’s best cooking schools.
416-438 King’s Road, North Point
9498 2652 | cookery.com.hk
Chinese Culinary Institute
Tucked away off Pok Fu Lam Road is this highly respected institution, usually the home of expert chefs. Mere amateurs, however, can make use of their state-of-the-art facilities by joining the four-hour Fun Kitchen class, which introduces beginners to the art of Chinese cuisine.
7/F, VTC Pok Fu Lam Complex, 145 Pok Fu Lam Road, Pok Fu Lam
2538 2200 | cci.edu.hk
Hong Kong New Oriental Culinary Art
Operating for more than 20 years, and helping more than half a million budding culinary talents to improve their skills in that time, this group offers courses in Chinese cooking, baking, international cuisine, confectionary and even coffee. Their Cantonese dumpling classes are particularly popular.
2/F, KP Tower, 93 King’s Road, North Point
2656 2727 | hknoc.com.hk
Star Chef Management School
The professional chef at Star has extensive experience in teaching Chinese cooking. Enrol in one of the three-hour morning classes, and you’ll learn to cook some of the region’s most famous dishes, including shumai, Cantonese roast duck, and sweet and sour pork. The best bit? You get to taste the food right after the lesson, during the provided lunch. There are other class options too, including bakery and patisserie skills.
2/F, Kwan Kang Building, 2-8 Temple Street, Yau Ma Tei
2388 3000 | starchef.edu.hk
Pots n Pans Cooking Studio
Everyone and anyone can learn to cook – that’s the ethos of Pots n Pans, which was established in 2013. The 4,000-square-foot studio is a five-minute walk away from Ngau Tau Kok MTR station. The studio hosts customised cooking classes – from baking to Chinese, French/Italian and Indian dishes and more – for all ages and abilities, plus private parties for those who enjoy learning how to cook while having a good time with friends.
Units F & G, 10/F, 15 Chong Yip Street, Montery Plaza, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon
3547 2606 | potsnpans.com.hk
French
French Cooking Class
Duck leg confit, black truffle risotto and crème brûlée are just some of the classic dishes to be learnt at Chef Rene-Etienne’s French cookery school in Hong Kong. With over 30 years’ experience, Chef Rene offers classes for the absolute beginner right through to training for professionals.
Room 803, 8/F, Bonham Commercial Centre, No. 44 Bonham Strand West, Sheung Wan
9542 2232 | hkfrenchcookingclass.com
Italian
Metropolitan Kitchen
Acclaimed Italian chef Marco Maggio has cooked for royalty and movie stars over the past 20 years, and worked for hotel groups including Sheraton and Le Royal Meridien. At Metropolitan, he heads up high-quality cooking classes in Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai cooking and more. Or, you can opt for specialised classes on baking, desserts, pasta-making, pizzas and so on.
Room 402A, Block A, Sea View Estate, 2 Watson Road, Causeway Bay
2512 2092 | metrokitchen.com.hk
Japanese
ABC Cooking Studio
With a presence across Asia, ABC Cooking Studio can help you to cook great Japanese food, whether it’s a quick meal for yourself or a full meal for friends and family. There are lessons in everything from general cooking to bread making and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), for all ages and skill levels, from classic ramen to bento boxes and more.
Various locations | abc-cooking.com.hk/home
Mediterranean
Pomegranate Kitchen
Owner Maria Bizri mixes her Lebanese heritage with inspiration gained on her travels to create unforgettable dishes. Now you can learn some of her secrets at her private kitchen and cooking academy in Wong Chuk Hang.
4B, Sing Tech Factory Building, 44 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen
2580 0663 | pomegranate.com.hk
Healthy Eating
6 Senses Cooking Studio
Although founder Denice Wai used to run a gourmet dessert house in Canada, here in Hong Kong she is all about promoting healthy eating. Classes include low-fat options, salads, gluten-free and cooking for allergies.
12/F, 28 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon
2838 9905 | s6nses.com
Sol Wellness
Before you embark on a detox, book yourself into a Sol Wellness class where you will learn invaluable information on superfoods, friendly bacteria and healthy cooking methods.
9189 8050 | sol-wellness.com
Something Different
Espresso Alchemy
It’s all very well popping in a capsule and pressing a button, but to really create the perfect cup of coffee it’s best to learn from the pros. Jacky Wong, head barista at Espresso Alchemy, will lovingly take you through the art of coffee-making in her two-and-a-half-hour sessions.
Shop 8, 4-6 Hoi Wan Street, Quarry Bay
2613 2638 | alchemycoffee.net
For Helpers
Towngas
Towngas opened its extensive culinary centre back in 1977 and has been teaching locals and expats everything from how to master the perfect mooncake to the flavours of Portuguese cuisine ever since. They also run basic cookery courses for helpers.
YWCA
Whether your helper is learning to cook for the first time or wants to add some new dishes to her repertoire, the YWCA has a range of classes to suit. They also offer helper courses covering emergency first aid for children.
3/F, 1 MacDonnell Road, Central
3476 1340 | clle.ywca.org.hk
For Kids
Harry’s Kitchen
This interactive baking studio allows kids to learn the fundamentals of food through the key senses of taste, smell, touch and sight. The in-store experience involves baking instructors guiding young participants through specially designed courses to give them the chance to explore culinary creativity, while creating personalised gifts for family members. Meanwhile, mums and dads can enjoy a coffee or shop for lovely things for their homes and kitchens. There are unique birthday experiences available for kids, too.
B245A, B2 K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
5645 1365 | k11musea.com
Whisked
Former banker-turned-chef, Kathy Li dedicated her venture Whisked, to instilling a love of cooking in Hong Kong’s little people. She is Cordon Bleu-trained and worked as a pastry chef at Amber so who better to get them started in the kitchen.
21/F, Xiu Ping Commercial Building, 104 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan
3460 3130 | whiskedbaking.com
Spark Studios
Classes in everything from dining etiquette to hosting an afternoon tea are available for children from five to sixteen at this studio in Quarry Bay.
3/F, Room 308 Westlands Centre, 20 Westland Street, Quarry Bay
3486 9177| sparkstudioshk.com
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