Pea is a wonderful warm and caring teacher. We had a fantastic time learning absolutely delicious Northern Thai dishes with her. I lived and worked in Chiang Mai and regularly cook a lot of Thai at home, but I wanted to cook and learn some specific dishes. Pea was very very flexible and happy to craft a menu together that allowed me and my partner to grow our cooking knowledge and skills. We also got to hear about her growing up, her cooking and visit her lush verdant garden. I really appreciated the approach Pea brought to cooking - very flexible, grounded in some key ideas and approaches that are easy to build off of. She creates a really welcoming and warm environment in the kitchen and would be great for less experiences cooks as well as those who feel really comfortable in kitchens. We can't wait to return and cook with her again!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Pick-up and drop-off from centrally located Chiang Mai hotels
- Organic garden tour and home-cooked Thai meal
- Private cooking class in a traditional teak home
- Local beer
Excludes
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Garden-to-Table Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai with hotel transfers. Private cooking experience in a traditional teak home surrounded by an organic garden. After your hotel pick-up and a short drive to Pea’s home, walk through her herb and vegetable garden to pick up fresh, organic ingredients before you start your Chiang Mai cooking class. Learn about essential Thai herbs such as lemongrass and holy basil and their role in authentic Northern Thai cooking. In Pea’s home kitchen, you will chop, pound, and grind ingredients as you prepare four Northern Thai-Chinese dishes, entirely from scratch. Later enjoy the meal you helped prepare at her dining table accompanied by local beer. Organic ingredients and rice or coconut oil are used. Vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. Perfect for honeymooning couples, families with children, and all travelers seeking an immersive in-home, garden-to-table culinary and cultural experience in Chiang Mai.
Food Menus
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Additional Info
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Reviews
Our host Pea was a pillar of her community and a fabulous host. I wish we could have spent the day at her home, garden and culinary facility. I learned so much and she treated us like family. An exceptional experience
Very accommodating as our flight was delayed. When we arrived we were warmly greeted and felt very welcomed. It was evening hours, so we were not able to tour the garden, but were told about everything in it. From the beginning we heard her story on how she began cooking, and then teaching. Her directions were easy to understand and at a pace we could follow. The food was amazing. We were able to create our own dishes exactly how we wanted. The whole experience was fun, educational. and the directions on what ingredients to use and how to use them were very easy to understand. I would definitely recommend this personal cooking class. Something very important to us was also the fresh whole ingredients that were all organic with no pesticide or herbicide use. During our experience Pea took our photos so we could have memories. She sent them to us in email afterwards. An experience we will never forget and also highly recommend. Thank you Pea for teaching us how to make the perfect Thai meal. We can't wait to make it ourselves at home.
There was no one else signed up for my class so I had a one-on-one lesson with Pea. I'm not a very competent cook but with the guidance of Pea my food turned out very yummy! And I learned a lot! She also emails you the recipes and photos that she takes of you during the class. This is a lovely experience and it is made more special by being given a tour of Pea's garden beforehand. I got the impression that class sizes are usually small so everyone can always get lots of guidance, like I did! If you're going to do a cooking class, this is the one to do! I also purchased her cookbook which is a lovely momento and is beautifully illustrated.
My husband and I had a wonderful time starting from the pick up at our hotel. Jah, Pea’s son, picked us up on time and and enriched our visit to the cooking school by sharing a bit about himself,his family, his city and more The ride to and from the cooking school with him was a very positive and informative part of our evening. Thanks, Jah! It is definitely worth taking a class from Pea. She is quite the teacher—-organized, passionate, and very accommodating. I eat meat. My husband is a pescatarian, and she managed to have food choices for both of us to cook and eat We spent time in her lovely garden and learned how to create our own recipes using Thai cooking principles of flavor and ingredients available to us. The food was delicious and we ate every bite! We have taken cooking classes in several other countries. This one was unique as Pea stressed home cooking and how to adapt it to our own family. I highly recommend taking a private class from Pea instead of a group class somewhere else The personalized attention is worth every bit of your time. . Thank you, Pea and Jah! Come eat with us in Minnesota sometime!
One-of-a-kind experience ! Cooking with Mrs. Pea was so magical. Her son provided transportation to and from our Airbnb. He was so kind and answered any question we had. Upon arrival to Mrs. Peas’ beautiful home, she greeted us outside, took us on a tour of her amazing organic garden sharing her knowledge with us of each plant we saw, smelled and tasted, and then welcomed us into her home to start cooking. But first she explained the foundation of Thai cooking while having a yummy snack - my mouth is watering as I think about the taste explosion !! Then we cooked 4 delicious dishes. Mrs. Pea is a great instructor, extremely hospitable and took great care with my boys (ages 7, 10 and my adult daughter, 23) so that they enjoyed cooking and learned how to make the dishes with a little help from her. We had such a memorable time and will definitely come back to cook with Mrs. Pea when we return to Chiang Mai. Thank you so much, Mrs. Pea❤️
It was an incredible experience. Much better than expected: the place, the explanations, the quality of the products and the recipes are just incredibles.
Loved it! It wasn’t the recipes in particular that I loved but they way the skill of tasting was taught! I have epic little skill set to take home with me and already used the next day when tasting food!! It’s perfect
This cooking class was truly one of the highlights of our entire trip to Chiang Mai — an unforgettable, heartwarming experience from start to finish! From the moment Pea’s son personally picked us up at our hotel, we knew we were in for something special. His warm welcome set the tone for an evening that felt more like a family gathering than a typical tour. What makes this class stand out is how deeply personal and authentic it is. Pea invites you into her home and makes you feel like an old friend. She’s incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing her culture. Before we even touched a pan, she took us on a walk through her garden, letting us see, smell, and taste the fresh herbs and vegetables we’d be using — a beautiful introduction to the ingredients that make Thai cuisine so unique. Pea didn’t just teach us how to cook — she gave us the foundation of Thai cooking, explaining the essential techniques and flavors behind each dish. We made four incredible Thai dishes in what felt like no time, and it was all so approachable thanks to Pea’s guidance. The kitchen was filled with laughter, great stories, and the kind of joy you get when you're cooking with family. If you're looking for a hands-on, genuine Thai culinary experience that stays with you long after your trip, this is it. We left with full hearts, full stomachs, and new skills we're excited to use at home. Absolutely recommend this class to anyone visiting Chiang Mai — it’s an experience you won’t forget!
Amazing cooking class with Pea. Both her and her son were so kind and welcoming. We made four dishes in total all incredibly delicious. Pea even gave us a grater which are difficult to find in the UK so that we could try the recipes at home. Lovely experience.
We learned how to make some of our family's beloved Thai dishes, from scratch and using fresh herbs from Pea's garden. Pea is an amazing host and a fountain of knowledge. We already knew a few things about Thai cooking but she was able to take our knowledge to a whole new level. She patiently explained the origins of the dishes, as well as many tips and tricks to improve our cooking. She was an amazing host even for our pre-teens who had a blast both cooking and eating. We are already mentally preparing for our next trip to Chiang Mai and a new cooking class will definitely be a highlight.
It was my first time in Thailand, but I am an experienced hobby chef who has already prepared many advanced Thai recipes at home. So I was looking for a cooking class to confront my knowledge from paper with an experienced local chef to see what I was doing right already and what I could still improve or was doing wrong. So an introductory level cooking class for tourists was not right for me and I needed a private lesson that would be adapted to my level of experience. Pea provided exactly that, but I am sure she would also be a great teacher for beginners. Strongly recommended! I was picked up from my hotel in downtown Chiang Mai by her son for the 20 minute drive to the house. (Although the description of the experience mentions the beautiful teak home, we did everything in kitchen in a separate modern building.) I mentioned my level of experience and wishes, and he called his mother so she could tailor the lesson to my level. When I arrived, Pea took over, and we started with a tour of the garden, where they grow all the vegetables and herbs. This was very interesting, because I was not familiar with all of them. Pea’s English was excellent in terms of vocabulary and grammar. Despite her Thai accent we could communicate very well. She had prepared some Miang Kham (filled betel leaves) as a welcome snack for me, which already tasted very good. We then proceeded to prepare five different recipes. We agreed to do two recipes that I had already prepared back home to explore the differences, and three that were new to me. Pea explained we would be making the home cooked version of the dishes and from her region of Northern Thailand. Pea had prepared all of the ingredients so we could work efficiently and we prepared the dishes together. She explained everything very well and answered all of my questions. I got to eat the food that we prepared, which was very tasty and more than enough. It was clear to me that Pea knows a lot about the local ingredients and dishes, and that she cooks very intuitively. She made me feel more comfortable and confident in my Thai cooking. I already knew that Thai cooking is about balancing the 4 S flavors (Spicy, Salty, Sweet, and Sour), but she deepened my understanding by explaining that the balance is a personal preference that is different for each person. She also taught me which ingredients are fundamental to the dishes and which ingredients can be left out or substituted. So I learned a lot and it was worth every penny.
My wife and I were picked up at our hotel by Pea’s very kind son John in a very nice and comfortable mini van and driven to an incredibly beautiful home about 20 minutes from Chaing Mai. Pea walked us through her wonderful garden that was more like a mini farm in her yard and explained many of the ingredients she grows that we would be using in her class. As farm to table as it gets. Pea explained the basics of Thai cooking and with her guidance we made 4 yummy dishes in her kitchen classroom. Her English is perfect and clear. She has a great sense of humor and was so much FUN to be with. A day with Pea is a truly worthwhile experience.
Pea was an outstanding host and such an amazing cooking instructor as well. My wife and I had a wonderful time and cannot recommend this enough.
Pea was a wonderful teacher - she started right where all food begins… in the garden. She was generous with her story and her love of food. Pea is funny and warm and kind - I wish that I could spend afternoons with her and her friends in chit-chat. The format of the experience was flawless - each dish was broken down into its component flavours and each participant was encouraged to follow what pleases their own mouth. This was a a very specific highlight for me because at the end when we sat down to eat, I learned so much about what tastes good to the people I care about. I am a confident cook and I learned so much about different techniques and things to watch for - like the rice beginning dance to know that is perfectly toasted. This day was perfection - I can’t wait to get home and plant some lemongrass!
Pea was great, made everything super simple and tasty. All the dishes were yum! Looking forward to trying out these recipes at home.
This was one of the best cooking classes I have attended. Not only did Pea teach us how to make delicious Thai food, she taught us the necessary elements and encouraged us to make them our own. Everyone in my family had a different flavor to their dish catered to their taste. Pea was also very patient with my six year old and helped him every step of the way. This class is amazing and if you want to take a cooking class in Chiang Mai this is the one.
We had a wonderful experience visiting Pea and learning about the history of Thai dishes and then making/enjoying our own meal. Pea is a gracious, welcoming host. We really appreciate her sharing her time and expertise with us. I highly recommend her private cooking experience.
We had an amazing evening with Pea learning about traditional Thai cooking in her beautiful home. Pea coordinated everything for use, picked us at our hotel, and brought us to her home for an intimate cooking experience for my wife and me. She taught us the ins and outs of Thai cooking and essentially remained hands off and allowed us to get our hands dirty with the cooking! This is a great experience for people looking for an intimate cooking experience to learn about traditional Thai cuisine, and would recommend this to anyone!
We had a great time at the class. The instruction was fun and easy to follow and the food was fantastic. It was also really great being able to see all the ingredients in the garden. Anyone who likes cooking and wants to explore Thai cuisine would have a great time!
We had a great time at the class - the instruction was clear and easy to follow and the food was fantastic. It was also great getting to see all the ingredients coming directly from the garden. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes cooking and wants to get well versed in Thai cuisine!
We booked this class through Viator. We had a receipt for payment and we had a confirmation # for the booking. We were looking forward to the class very much! It was a rainy day in Chiang Mai the day that our class was scheduled, and we were happy to have an indoor activity planned. We waited in our hotel lobby for pick-up. The ride never showed. When we contacted the woman who leads this class, she said that she knew nothing of our booking, and because she was out of town, there was nothing she could do for us. Thankfully Viator gave us a refund. Because no one ever got back to us as to how our booking was lost, or whose fault it was, I, unfortunately, cannot recommend this class.
We did the full private cooking class with Pea and absolutely loved it! Jah, Pea's son, pick us up from our hotel and took us to visit a local market. He was super nice and answered all of our questions, as well helped with recommendations with planning our days in Chaing Mai. Their home is just outside of the city and is super cute. Pea greatest us with smiles and was very entertaining throughout the night. She walked us through her garden and tried some of her herbs and vegetables she was growing. We prepared and cooked a papaya salad, meet salad, green curry (this was our favourite!) and holy basil stir fry. Also Pea made us a sweet childhood snack that was simple and delicious. 10/10 would recommend to my family and friends to do a cooking class with Pea, it was the highlight from our trip!
We cannot recommend this experience more. It was so incredible to see a part of Chiang Mai that was off the beaten track, and to learn how to cook incredible Thai food (but with easy tips so we can replicate at home). But most of all, Pea’s hospitality is unmatched. She made us feel at home as she shared her stories and cooking skills with us. We cannot stop talking about this and will absolutely go back to visit again the next time we find ourselves in Chiang Mai. If you’re in town, this cooking class experience is a must! Thank you, Pea!
Pea and her son were gracious and welcoming hosts who answered all of our one thousand questions with ease! We felt honored to be admitted into their stunning, sprawling home and learn so much about fresh Thai cuisine from Pea. Her garden provides fresh herbs and vegetables for the dishes prepared, and we walked out vowing to never buy Thai Curry Paste again! Thank you for a wonderful and educational experience!
Don’t let the number of reviews deter you from this class!!! This cooking class was so amazing and personal. The pick up and drop off process was a breeze and pea’s son is super great and gave us great recommendations! Pea is such a great teacher and even changed the menu last minute to make my favorite dish!! Her garden is beautiful as well. We learned a lot from this class it was definitely a highlight of the trip. We had an thai snack, made a green curry, Two appetizers and drunken noodle.
Authentic Thai home cooking with the most gracious host you could ask for. Pea and her family were so welcoming. We loved walking through her garden, picking fresh herbs to smell as she explained what each was used for (and most importantly of all) where to find them in the United States and what substitutes would be acceptable if we could not find the exact. (Though I am determined to find some holy basil and plant it on my balcony now!) We cooked 5 dishes and each was unique. Pea was very sensitive to helping us choose the right level of spice for our tastes and encouraged us to start small and taste each dish as we made it to adjust the spicy, salty, sweet, and sour flavors of Thai cuisine. I am sensitive to spicy foods but was very happy with the end result. My partner enjoys spicy and so his dish was slightly different. Pea listened to us and helped make sure we cooked food we would enjoy. The food we made was so fresh and delicious, but the real treat was Pea’s company. She is an amazing host and we highly recommend taking her class if you visit Chiang Mai. There is no better way to experience authentic quality Thai home cooking!
The host, Pea and her son are very nice and her garden and house are stunning! All veggies and herbs are picked right from her organic garden. She made sure that the recipe included ingredients that I can find in Japan so I can try to book back in my home country. I’d come back to Chiangmai just because I want to see her again and learn to cook other things.
Pea (and her son) were perfect hosts and made our time with them extra special. Great food and great comonay and cannot recommend this tour highly enough. John.
We loved our traditional Lanna cuisine experience with Traveling Spoon. Our host, Lin, was warm and charismatic, while also beinh super informative and knowledgeable. We began with a pickup at our hotel, then stopped by a covered market where we purchase a wide range of food that Lin planned to incorporate into our meal including jackfruit, green mango, and a chicken. Then, we went to Lin's demonstration kitchen, which was set up with woodfired cooking and prep stations for all of us. We spent several hours preparing local Lanna dishes, much of which included homemade curries using ingredients from Lin's beautiful organic garden (turmeric, etc.). The setting was gorgeous, Lin was a great teacher, and the food was absolutely out of this world. I highly recommend. Note, we did this experience with two families comprising six teenagers (ages 12 to 19); and the kids loved it.
What an amazing experience! Lin picked us up from our hotel and took us to a very local market to buy a few ingredients for our class. We saw quite a few interesting types of vegetables, meat/seafood (live eels😮) and Lanna specialties. Lin was great with explaining everything and answered any questions you had; great local insight! From here, Lin drove us to her home which has a beautiful garden. Once you walk through the garden, her prestigious cooking school kitchen appears! We cooked 3 dishes and 1 dessert (which you pick before the class); from beginning to finish, took about 4-5 hours. The food was very flavorful and most importantly - spicy! Lin catered to our love for spice and the heat was spot on! Lin sat with us for our meal and taught us how to eat the Lanna way. Additionally, Lin had 3 other staff members helping clean and prepare, which made for a more enjoyable and relaxing experience. Would highly recommend Lin and Love Chiang Mai cooking school! 10/10.
<p>interesting experience. more time to be spent on preparing ingredients by attendants are preferred</p>
Very nice memorable experience at Pea! His very friendly son picked us up and walked us to the hotel in Chiang Mai! Pea showed us around her garden and we were able to participate just the two of us in her very well organized cooking class. It will remain a privileged moment that we are not about to forget! Thank you Pea, do not hesitate to come!
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