- Spice up your Singapore sojourn with a cooking class – or two! -
While ‘foodie’ travel has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, the current success of cookery shows such as MasterChef and The Chopping Block is set to give epicurean tourism a phenomenal boost.
Singapore has long been a favourite destination for food lovers, since eating out in the Lion City is somewhat of a national obsession. And whether you’re an amateur wannabe or a touch more professional, Singapore has a cooking class – or entire course – to tempt every budding chef.
Below is a selection of Singapore’s favourite culinary academies, offering everything from simple one-off classes focusing on preparing a fabulous dinner party to more in-depth retreats covering everything from the weird and wonderful to funky fusion and haute cuisine.
Coriander Leaf Cooking Studio
Situated among the chic eateries of glittering Clarke Quay, Coriander Leaf’s culinary school focuses on home-style cooking – covering half-day courses highlighting the best in South Asian, South-East Asian, Middle Eastern and fusion cooking.
Ph: (65) 6732 3354 or visit www.corianderleaf.com
at-sunrice Global Chef Academy
One of Singapore’s renowned culinary centres, Fort Canning Park’s at-sunrice offers a range of hands-on food experiences from demonstration and tasting classes to practical workshops promoting rich pan-Asian cuisine. Participants enjoy a fun learning environment in a gorgeous historic setting.
Ph: (65) 6336 3307 or visit www.at-sunrice.com
Shermay’s Cooking School
Successful cookbook author and cooking personality Shermay Lee and her handpicked guest chefs teach classes for both novices and advanced chefs in her own fully equipped demonstration kitchen. Her grandmother’s traditional nonya cuisine is a specialty, but Shermay also offers classes in areas such as French cuisine, desserts and home-style Chinese cooking.
Ph: (65) 6479 8442 or visit www.shermay.com
Cookery Magic
For friendly cooking classes in the comfort of a local Singapore home, it’s hard to go past Cookery Magic, which offers classes in Malay, Indian and vegetarian cooking among other specialties.
Ph: (65) 6348 9667 or visit www.cookerymagic.com
Raffles Culinary Academy
Running almost daily recreational and introductory classes, the prestigious Raffles Culinary Academy stages classes in topics as varied as wine and etiquette, home dining and oyster and foie gras appreciation.
Ph: (65) 6412 1256/7 or visit www.raffleshotel.com/culinaryacademy.html
Palate Sensations
Unique historic classes incorporating more than just cuisine are the order of the day at the lush Wessex Estate’s Palate Sensations. Offering classes that are both educational and entertaining, options run the gamut from Traditional Chinese Medicine Anti-Ageing Workshops (focusing on cooking with Chinese herbs), to Yoga Health Foods, Spa Cuisine, Indian Finger Foods and the Art of Chinese Tea Making.
Ph: (65) 6479 9025 or visit www.palatesensations.com
Violet Oon’s Kitchen
One of Singapore’s leading food gurus, Violet Oon, is a leading authority on Asian cuisine, specialising in Singapore’s unique nonya cuisine and offering plenty of practical tips, innovative ideas and memorable cooking experiences.
Ph: (65) 6255 1037 or visit www.violetoon.com
For further information about Singapore, log onto www.visitsingapore.com or contact the Singapore Tourism Board on (02) 9290 2888.
