Cooking up a Storm: Shanghai’s Six Best Cooking Classes

Cooking up a Storm: Shanghai’s Six Best Cooking Classes
By Susie Gordon , eChinacities.com

Although Shanghai’s dining scene can be somewhat hit and miss, it really is a foodie’s haven, with most international cuisines represented, and every budget catered for. But if you’ve sampled everything the city has to offer your palate and yearn for something new, why not learn how to cook it up yourself? There are plenty of great cooking classes around town where you can pick up some tips, and make new friends in the process. Here is our pick of the best.

 

1)  Stiller's Cooking SchoolView In Map
Learn from Shanghai’s favourite German master chef at his eponymous restaurant, and eat what you’ve cooked while you chat to the man himself. Stefan Stiller runs regular cooking classes on the fifth floor of his empire at the Cool Docks, and you don’t have to be an expert to take part. A typical class consists of three seasonal dishes, and is made up of around 10 participants. Students watch and help Stiller as he prepares and cooks the dishes, which are mainly contemporary European with an Asian twist. After each dish is finished, you’ll sit down and eat the results at a silver service table with wine. Even better, you get to keep your apron at the end of the class, along with copies of the recipes.

Add: The Cool Docks, 6-7/F, Bldg 13, 505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, near Fuxing Dong Lu Metro, Shanghai    
地址: 上海市中山南路505弄13号楼6-7,近复兴东路
Email: cookingschool@stillers-restaurant.cn

2)  Betty's KitchenView In Map
If you can’t decide whether to learn Western or Chinese cookery, Betty’s Kitchen is the place for you. Run by the lifestyle and cooking magazine of the same name, Betty’s classes teach budding chefs how to prepare both eastern and western fare. The school regularly pairs up with Shanghai restaurants, so you might just get to learn how to make your favourite local dish.

Add: 2/F, 607 Beijing Xi Lu, near Shimen Er Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市北京西路607号2楼, 近石门二路
Tel: 021 6362 0022 ext 8866
Opening hours: Saturdays 10:00-12:00 – Chinese food; 14:00-16:00 – Western food
Sundays 14:00-16:00 – Western desserts
Website: www.bettyskitchen.com.cn/cooking-school

3) Nian Nian’s HomeView In Map
Part personal cinema experience, part cooking school, Nian Nian’s Home is tucked away in an old lane house. Impossible to find unless you know about it, it’s a real Shanghai hidden gem. The attic space can be rented out for movie sessions, while downstairs doubles as a cake baking studio. It’s very informal and great for an afternoon with a couple of friends if you’re looking for something a bit different.

Add: 3/F, Back Door, No. 6, Lane 682 Changle Lu, near Fumin Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市长乐路682弄6号后门3楼(顶楼), 近富民路
Tel: 021 5403 8841
Opening hours: Daily, 13:00-22:00 (reservation required)
Email: yiyun_tsai@163.com

4) Passionate Chef StudioView In Map
One of Shanghai’s longest established cooking schools, the Passionate Chef Studio near the Yu Garden is a good bet for a comprehensive and informative experience. It’s flexible too: choose from an impressive array of cuisines, including Thai, Chinese, Italian and fusion, and tailor-make your course to suit your schedule. Passionate Chef organizes corporate team building exercises as well as private cooking parties.

Add: Room 1901, Bldg 2, 88 Zhonghua Lu, near Dongmen Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市中华路88号2号楼1901室,近东门路
Tel: 021 6330 0098
Website: www.passionatechefsh.com

5) The Kitchen AtView In Map
Whether you want to attend a single, one-off class or a longer course, the enigmatically-named Kitchen At cuts the mustard. Professional chefs teach European, South American and Asian cuisines, and day classes run Tuesday through Sunday. Regular 10-week courses run throughout the year, and keen chefs can arrange special master classes. Executive chef Norris Chen makes sure things run smoothly.

Add: Room 101, No. 75, Lane 1295 Fuxing Zhong Lu, near Fenyang Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市复兴中路1295弄75号101室,近襄阳南路
Tel: 021 6433 2700
Opening hours: Tue-Sun, 10:00-22:00
Website: www.thekitchenat.com

6) Chinese Cooking WorkshopView In Map
If it’s eastern cooking that floats your boat, the Chinese Cooking Workshop is worth a look. A team of friendly chef instructors guide pupils through Shanghainese, Sichuan, Cantonese, Thai, Indian and Indonesian dishes, and special seasonal classes (like lessons on how to prepare autumn’s hairy crabs) are a great way to experience local flavour. Plus, if you’re too shy to shop at your local wet market, there are special classes to show you how. Flexible time tables and class numbers keep things convenient.

Add: Room 307, 696 Weihai Lu, near Maoming Bei Lu, Shanghai
地址:上海市威海路696号307室,近茂名北路
Tel: 021 5404 3181
Website: www.chinesecookingworkshop.com

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Keywords: shanghai cooking best cooking schools Shanghai shanghai cooking classes

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