By Geeta Patel-Ral
Attending Santana’s traditional Thai cooking class in her South Shields home was an absolute delight and a gastronomical revelation. As avid cooks and Thai food enthusiasts, we had the opportunity to explore and recreate some of our favourite Thai dishes from scratch.
Santana’s love for Thai cuisine, honed from her early years assisting her mother in their native street food café outside Bangkok, is evident in her passion for teaching. Her transition into the business in 2019 and the subsequent shift to online cook-alongs during the COVID-19 pandemic are testaments to her adaptability, resilience, and commitment to sharing her love for Thai cuisine.
What makes Santana’s class unique is her unwavering dedication to authenticity. Her insistence on using traditional Thai ingredients, like Kaffir lime leaves and lemongrass, whose exotic aromas transport you straight to the heart of Thailand, enriches the cooking experience. As we cooked, she carefully explained the importance and unique profiles of these ingredients, further enhancing our understanding and appreciation of Thai cuisine.
We enjoyed cooking from Menu C, which included Tom Yum Soup, Thai Green Curry, and Pork Dim Sum – all personal favourites. The Tom Yum Soup was so delicious that I craved it days after the session. Santana’s commitment to hygiene is commendable, as evidenced by her level 2 food hygiene certification and the immaculate condition of her kitchen.
Santana’s Thai cooking class is more than just a culinary course. It’s an immersive cultural and sensory experience, a heartwarming journey into the soul of Thai cuisine, and a testament to Santana’s love for food and her desire to share her culinary heritage with others. Whether you are a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, a session with Santana will leave you with cherished memories and delicious recipes to recreate at home.
Santana’s classes provide a practical guide to cooking Thai dishes and delve into the cultural significance and traditional methods of Thai cooking. Each session is structured to ensure participants get a hands-on experience, from chopping vegetables to balancing the flavours, all under Santana’s watchful and encouraging guidance.
The class starts with a warm welcome and a brief introduction to Thai cuisine, its history, and its influence on Santana’s cooking style. We then move on to the practical part, where Santana demonstrates each recipe step before we try our hands at it. Her patience and clear instructions make it easy for everyone to follow along, regardless of their cooking experience.
One of the highlights of the class was making the Thai Green Curry. Santana showed us how to enhance the curry paste, blending fresh ingredients in a mortar and pestle, making all the flavour difference. The rich, aromatic curry we created was a true highlight and a testament to the importance of traditional cooking techniques.
The Pork Dim Sum was another standout dish. Santana’s expertise in folding the dim sum and steaming them to perfection was impressive. She shared tips and tricks that only someone with deep knowledge and experience could provide, making the entire process feel approachable and rewarding.
Santana’s Thai cooking class is a must-try for anyone interested in Thai cuisine. It’s an educational, fun, and deeply satisfying experience offering much more than cooking lessons. It’s a journey into the rich culinary traditions of Thailand, guided by someone who lives and breathes Thai food. The upcoming 4th set menu for autumn/ winter 2024 promises to bring her students even more excitement and delicious dishes. With plans to offer private dinner parties and an openness to new opportunities in the North East’s food industry, Santana’s culinary journey is one to watch and be a part of.
With prices starting at £55 per person, it’s an experience not to be missed.
Contact us:
info@thaihomecookingnortheast.com
www.thaihomecookingnortheast.com
Call 07733545025