Fancy yourself as a bit of a whiz in the kitchen? Want to sharpen your skills by learning about another culture’s cuisine? A stint at a cookery school might be just your thing then. For aficionados of Thai food, there can be no better place to hone their talents then a course in the heart of Bangkok itself. The cookery school at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel has an excellent reputation. Since opening its doors over fifteen years ago, it has taught thousands of people from all over the world the art of preparing fine Thai cuisine. Participants gain real insight into the fascinating culture and traditions of Thailand, and get to prepare fresh exciting dishes, everything from Phad Chaa Plaa Kraphong - spicy stir-fried sea bass – to Siamese Baked Pudding. There are less expensive cookery schools in the city of course, but should you wish to combine the opportunity to learn real skills with a luxurious break in one of Bangkok’s best hotels, this is the way to go.