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.
THAI
Kea’s Kitchen
Master the art of Thai cuisine on board Kea’s very own modern junk in Aberdeen Marina. Once you’ve worked up a sweat in the kitchen, enjoy the fruits of your labours on the sun-drenched top deck.
6077 5964 | keaskitchen.com
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.
2/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, Chang Pao Ching Building, 417 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai
2833 2066 | byjoanne.com.hk
INDIAN
Coriander Connections
Jump aboard the fast ferry to Discovery Bay to learn how to make the perfect curry along with side dishes from mint chutney to lentil dhal. Either watch a demo or get stuck in.
6698 5810 | corianderconnections.net
Sav’s Cooking
Sav Winslow’s cookery demonstrations take place in her homely kitchen on the Southside. Her enthusiasm and knowledge are impressive and you will come away with a repertoire of new dishes and a new-found respect for the subtleties of Indian cooking.
Ching Sau Lane, Chung Hom Kok
9311 9273 | facebook.com/pages/Savs-Cooking/119601341531378
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.
towngascooking.com
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
Whisked
Former banker-turned-chef, Kathy Li has dedicated her new 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.
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 newly opened studio in Quarry Bay.
2682 3411 | sparkstudioshk.com
WESTERN
Corner Kitchen
If you love the food in Heirloom then book a slot at Corner Kitchen, a private dining room and cookery school in a quiet pedestrianised area of Sheung Wan. Customised classes are available for adults or kids, or why not organise a cooking party where you can learn to prepare everything from Balinese specialities to tapas and then down tools and enjoy the end results with your friends.
G/F, 20 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan
2803 2822 | corner-kitchen.com
Secret Ingredient
The idea behind this food concept was to allow anyone to be a whizz in the kitchen by delivering fresh ingredients and instructions for a recipe for you to cook at home. Now they are making things even easier with their series of cooking classes. You can book a private class for you and five friends or join one of the regular events such as mastering the art of the canapé.
G/F, 32-34 Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan
9177 5772 | secretingredient.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.
Unit E, 3/F, Worldwide Centre, 123 Tung Chau Street, Tai Kok Tsui
2838 9905 | s6nses.com
Rawthentic Food
Super-qualified chef and raw food enthusiast Priscilla Soligo introduces you to the benefits of changing to a raw food diet. Classes include culinary tips on how to incorporate raw food into your life as well as instructions on how to create three delicious and super-nutritious meals.
rawthenticfood.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.
16/F Tin On Sing Comm. Building, 41-43 Graham Street, Central
2581 9699 | sol-wellness.com
MEDITERRANEAN
Pomegranate Kitchen
We love this new addition to Hong Kong’s catering scene. 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 with the opening of her new private kitchen and cooking academy in Wong Chuk Hang.
6438 7438 | pomegranate.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. With over 30 years’ experience, Chef Rene offers classes for the absolute beginner right through to training for professionals.
Room 303, 3/F, Wai Wah Commercial Building, 6 Wilmer Street, Sai Ying Pun
9876 6756 | hkfrenchcookingclass.com
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.
Flat B, 1/F, Lee Kwan Building, 40-46 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
2381 0132 | cookery.com.hk
Chinese Culinary Institute
Tucked away off Pokfulam 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 Pokfulam Complex, 145 Pok Fu Lam Road, Pokfulam
2538-2200 | cci.edu.hk/cci/html/en/
FIVE-STAR
The Peninsula Academy
For something that little bit extra special book into one of the culinary experiences at The Peninsula. After a light breakfast, you can follow a demo by one of the hotel’s chefs and then sample the creations over lunch. Even little chefs can get involved, and with class names including Monster Sandwiches and I Love Pizza, I don’t think they’ll need much persuading.
The Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Road, Kowloon
2696 6693 | peninsula.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
See more in our Wine & Dine section