DETAILSThe former home of Thai artist, architect and boutique hotelier Mom Luang Tri Devakul (aka “Mom Tri”), Mom Tri’s Villa Royale offers guests a truly authentic experience. Overlooking the Andaman Sea from Kata Noi beach on the famed Phuket island, guests break from the property’s stunningly white sand and blue waters to indulge in tasty Thai cooking classes at the resort’s own restaurant. From Classes start at approximately AU$90 per person.
CLASSESThese half-day cooking classes begin at the local markets where students are educated about unique Thai ingredients straight from the source. Later on, students return to the open-air space of the onsite Mom Tri’s Kitchen restaurant to whip up five different traditional dishes like tom kha gai (coconut cream-based chicken soup), yum goong pla (prawns with fresh herbs, chilli, mint, red onion, sliced cucumber and chilli lime dressing) and fresh, zingy sum dtum (green papaya salad).
Classes at Villa Royale are held twice a month, where participants are given access to a walking encyclopaedia of culinary knowledge in the form of Tummanoon Punchun, who was formerly the head chef at the resort’s sister property, Mom Tri’s Boathouse, for some twenty years. This Thai teacher is somewhat of a local celebrity, having filmed his own cooking shows overseas for local entertainment. A tutorial in wine matching is also provided by award-winning sommelier Georges Ciret to help everyone bring the best flavour out of their cooking. Finally, the class takes to the restaurant’s adjacent patio surrounded by panoramic ocean views to feast on the fruits of their labour.