Culinary School For Aspiring Thai Chef

[drtreelove]

I'm trying to help my 22yo Thai step-daughter find a program for professional chef education; not a tourist cooking school class. Anyone out there had experience with UFM Baking and Cooking school, or the government Thai chef program, or others in CM or Bangkok?

I was told that the Oriental Hotel had a one year program for international culinary arts, but I could not find information except tourist cooking classes. Any suggestions, ratings and contact information will be appreciated.

She's a good cook and loves it, a fast learner with an amazing work ethic. Time to take it to a professional level. don

[gpdjohn]

Not sure if this helps, Yingsak, the professional Thai chef, has a school here in CM. Google it. I know he has a website, mostly in Thai. Not for tourist school, but a professional school.

My oldest son just graduated from a Cordon Bleu chef school in the US at a cost of around 50K USD.

[miltonbentley]

Great news that a young Thai woman has a dream and the guts and work ethic to pursue it. I wish her the very best of luck.

My advice would be to contact a couple of the executive head chefs in the top hotels - perhaps the Chedi and the Dhara Devi and ask their advice. Although they will likely be westerners trained abroad they will have extremely good Thai chefs working under them who will have had some training locally.

In my experience top professionals are always willing to give advice and assistance to aspiring people. I am sure she will get some great advice and probably a tour of a professional kitchen.

I will keep my ears open for contacts that may be useful and pass them on by PM if anything comes up.

[gpdjohn]

It's..

Yingsakfood dot com

I only see a Bangkok school. I could have sworn he had a CM one as well.

I'll keep looking...

[TheWalkingMan]

Not sure if this helps, Yingsak, the professional Thai chef, has a school here in CM. Google it. I know he has a website, mostly in Thai. Not for tourist school, but a professional school.

My oldest son just graduated from a Cordon Bleu chef school in the US at a cost of around 50K USD.

50k... ouch! I hope he finds a great position leading to an Executive position.

drtreelove,

Not sure how much you want to spend but there is a Cordon Bleu in Bangkok run with the Dusit. Also does your niece want to study overseas? There are some good programs in NZ, South Africa or The Philippines which do not look that expensive. Good luck to the niece!

Edit - The contact information for UFM Baking & Cooking is located in the contact area.

Edited April 26, 2009 by TheWalkingMan

[drtreelove]

Not sure if this helps, Yingsak, the professional Thai chef, has a school here in CM. Google it. I know he has a website, mostly in Thai. Not for tourist school, but a professional school.

Great, I think that's the name I couldn't remember. A Thai restaurant owner in the US told me that a certificate from Ajarn Yingsak would hold a lot of weight for her to get a good job. Thanks for the info. I think that Cordon Bleu or overseas study is out of our budget range right now. Thanks all. don

[drtreelove]

It's..

Yingsakfood dot com

I only see a Bangkok school. I could have sworn he had a CM one as well.

I'll keep looking...

Your tip and contact information has proved useful. She is on her way today to sign up for Yingsak's beginning class in Chiang Mai on Chotana Rd. She had to call the Bangkok office to get the information. Thanks so much for your help. don

[gpdjohn]

Glad I could be of some help Doc

For years my oldest son had stated that he wanted to be a chef and wanted to attend culinary school.

I checked into the courses and schools near where we lived. I was shocked at what it would cost.

He never stopped. "Dad, I want to go to culinary school".

The years rolled past, he never let up. Joined the military, tried to get culinary school...no way, would have to complete his first enlistment before he could go...exit the military.

Married with 2 kids.

"Dad, I want to go to culinary school". Ok, go.

Scottsdale Culinary School. Scottsdale, Az. Cha-ching!($$$$$$$)

I'm paying for it.

He just graduated, first in his class. ( proud papa) Intership at Epcot Center in Orlando. Did excellent there and super high praise from all the chefs he had worked for and with.

Now, he's off to work under Gordon Ramsey on a internship for 2 years. (more proud papa ) With GR on his resume, he's good to go anywhere. ( he applied with Marco White, but GR scooped him up first..ya know, Marco White made GR cry)

You work hard with hardly any pay. It's all for the love of food. And he is the happiest I have ever seen him.

It's all worth it in the end.

Good luck to her.

And you will reap the joy when the food arrives on the table! I know now I do when I 'm home and enjoy a 5 star meal for free.

[miltonbentley]

Great story John

[TheWalkingMan]

John,

Congrats! That is so cool!!

[Flatouthruthefog]

It's..

Yingsakfood dot com

I only see a Bangkok school. I could have sworn he had a CM one as well.

I'll keep looking...

Your tip and contact information has proved useful. She is on her way today to sign up for Yingsak's beginning class in Chiang Mai on Chotana Rd. She had to call the Bangkok office to get the information. Thanks so much for your help. don

Only just seen this thread, and it sounds like she's all fixed up. Good luck all round!

My Thai wife teaches English and one of her best students, an 18 year old youth from quite a poor family, was delighted recently to secure a place on Dusit's 4 year training course in Bangkok. Not cordon bleu - everything!

As he had never seen a professional catering kitchen I suggested one lesson should take the form of a walkaround, ideally with the top chef. Our great appreciation, thus, to GM Wim and top chef Stefan at the Amari-Rincome, for their enormous help last Friday morning. Caution: they may not be able to do this too often!

My first approach was of course to Dusit D2. Sadly they have a very strict 'staff on;ly' rule in their kitchen and it was not possible there. Good luck to all you keen caterers. We NEED you!!

[remil]

I'm trying to help my 22yo Thai step-daughter find a program for professional chef education; not a tourist cooking school class. Anyone out there had experience with UFM Baking and Cooking school, or the government Thai chef program, or others in CM or Bangkok?

I was told that the Oriental Hotel had a one year program for international culinary arts, but I could not find information except tourist cooking classes. Any suggestions, ratings and contact information will be appreciated.

She's a good cook and loves it, a fast learner with an amazing work ethic. Time to take it to a professional level. don

Dear Madam

Im a professional chef living in Bangkok. I have finished my culinary education at the Cordon Bleu, Sydney in 2005 and have worked in over a dozen food establishments. I have recently been setting up a cooking program here but its is not a program with a certificate at the end. I think you would be better off as most experience is learnt working in a restaurant in the first place. Im offering to teach the basics of cooking for very reasonable price (Rather than over priced schools that I sadly wasted money on) in a 3 month program to begin with. If you are interested please call me at 0877922583 or email at [email protected].

Remi Laugier