subject: Get a Passport, Learn to Cook [print this page] Get a Passport, Learn to Cook Get a Passport, Learn to Cook
If you live in or near a major metropolitan area, you probably have access to cuisines from a variety of different cultures. However, if you're a cook, there's still something incredibly satisfying about learning to make different types of food yourself. And if you live out in the boonies, it may be the only way you can get a decent curry.
You can teach yourself to cook a lot of different types of food using the Internet and cookbooks as a resource. However, nothing compares to learning how to cook Italian food in Italy with a native, or Thai food in Thailand. As more and more travelers begin to treat vacations as learning experiences, cooking schools are springing up all over the world to accommodate them. Here are some of the most popular:
The Kitchen at Cooking Studio, China
Learn to cook a variety of different Chinese cuisines, including Shanghainese, Cantonese, and Sichuan, at this cooking school run by Chef Allan Wong in Shanghai.
L'Assiette de Paris, France
Learn to cook classic French dishes with real French cooks in their own private kitchens. Classes are held in the western suburbs of Paris to protect the privacy of the teachers, you won't be given the address until after you sign up.
Souk Cuisine, Morocco
Souk Cuisine connects tourists with local Moroccan women for lessons on local food, spices and how to get a good deal at the food markets in Marrakesh.
In Tavola, Italy
Spend a day in Florence, right across from the Ponte Vecchio, learning to cook delights like homemade pasta.
Glorious Greek Cooking School, Greece
This week-long cooking course gives you the chance to spend a week lounging on the beaches of Ikaria while Greek chef Diane Kochilas teaches you how to cook.
Baan Thai Cookery School, Thailand
Learn the ins and outs of Thai curry at this cooking school in Chiang Mai. Recipes and recommended substitutions for ingredients that can be hard to find stateside are included.
To attend these cooking classes, of course you'll need a valid passport. If you don't already have one, make sure you plan ahead. Allow at least 6 weeks for normal processing and three weeks for regular processing. If you need faster processing, you'll have to make an appointment to visit one of 24 regional passport agency offices or use a private company like RushMyPassport.
