Cooking course abroad: what is it, why do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is a cooking course or cooking workshop abroad?

What is a cooking course?

• A cooking course is a series of lessons in which you learn the basics of local cuisine in a short period of time.
• Cooking courses often focus on local products, and a visit to the local market is a common part of the course.
• A cooking course lasts an average of 1 to 2 weeks, with daily cooking lessons. A less intensive option is a course consisting of a series of lessons spread over several weeks or months.

What is a cooking workshop?

• A cooking workshop usually gives you the opportunity to discover how to make a particular dish or local specialty in a single lesson.
• A cooking workshop often lasts only a few hours, ending with you eating or drinking your own creation.

Why learn to cook a local dish and take a cooking class abroad?

• Experience: going abroad to learn how to cook according to the local cuisine is one of the ways to step out of your comfort zone at home.
• Creativity: getting to know a new cuisine is a way to learn how to use your creativity better. You may learn new techniques, ingredients, and flavors.
• Collaboration: you train yourself to share a kitchen, materials, and the attention of the course leader with others.

Where is the best place to learn to cook abroad?

• Indian cuisine: in India, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Goa are known as good locations for a culinary discovery tour; you can also take an Indian cooking course in England and global cities with a large Indian community
• Indonesian cuisine: in Indonesia, you can learn to cook different dishes on each island; various courses are offered in Bali, Sumatra, and the Moluccas.
• Italian cuisine: in Italy, the regions of Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Sicily are particularly popular for cooking courses. Cooking classes are also offered in Canada (e.g., Toronto and Montreal) and Australia.
• Japanese cuisine: so much more than sushi; Japan has a rich food culture with various course options in Tokyo and Kyoto, for example.
• Mexican cuisine: in Mexico, Oaxaca and Mexico City are good places for a cooking course, while the Yucatan region offers fun, small-scale courses focusing on Mayan traditions. There are also many courses available in the United States, some more traditional than others. 
• Peruvian cuisine: Peru offers a rich mix of indigenous Andean influences and Spanish and Japanese cuisine, with Arequipa as its culinary capital and Cusco and Lima offering the widest selection.
• Spanish cuisine: In Spain, you can get to know various typical regional dishes in Malaga, Valencia, Zaragoza, and Barcelona, for example.
• Thai cuisine: learn to cook in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok. You can discover the basics of Thai cuisine in Chang Mai and various tourist beach resorts.
• Barbecue: get the most out of your barbecue after taking a course in the US (Texas and Kansas), Argentina (Buenos Aires, Mendoza, or Patagonia), or South Africa (braai lessons in Stellenbosch or Cape Town).

What are you insured for when cooking abroad?

What are the risks of taking a cooking class or workshop abroad?

• You can injure yourself in all kinds of ways in a kitchen. In an unfamiliar kitchen with new tools, the risks of bumping, cutting, and burning yourself are greater than at home.
• Especially with longer courses, you may encounter problems with the organization that organizes the lessons (read more about solving problems abroad).

What are the consequences if, for example, you end up in hospital?

• If you end up in hospital, you may have to pay the costs yourself if you do not have insurance that covers your activities.

Are you insured for a cooking course abroad?

• A cooking course abroad will be covered by your current travel and health insurance if you are not going abroad for too long and are not undertaking any paid work or special activities. In other cases, special insurance is often recommended or sometimes necessary.
• Read more about insuring a course abroad and insuring holidays: trips, tours, and long-distance travel.