Chiang Mai: Thai Cooking Class & Organic Farm with Pickup

Summary

Hands-on Thai recipes in Chiang Mai’s green farm kitchen

You’ll pick herbs from an organic garden in Chiang Mai before learning classic Thai recipes at your own station. With a local chef guiding every step, you’ll taste your own creations — including mango sticky rice and Thai tea — and leave with recipes (and maybe a few new friends). Expect laughter, real flavors, and hands-on memories that linger.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much over a handful of basil. That’s how our day started at Mama Noi Cookery School in Chiang Mai — just me, a few other travelers, and our guide, Pim, who kept teasing us about the “secret” ingredient in her curry paste (spoiler: it was patience). We wandered into the garden first, dew still clinging to the lemongrass. The smell hit me — kind of sweet and sharp at once — and I remember thinking I’d never really known what “fresh” meant until then.

Everyone got their own cooking station, which felt oddly empowering. No fighting for space or awkwardly sharing a pan. Pim showed us how to crush chilies for Khao Soy noodles (my arm still aches a bit), and when I tried saying “pad thai” the local way, she burst out laughing — apparently my tone made it sound like “crazy egg.” The whole place buzzed with sizzle and chatter, but there were these quiet moments too: slicing mango for sticky rice while sunlight spilled across the table. I caught myself grinning for no reason.

Lunch was whatever we’d managed not to burn. Eating outside under thatched roofs, mango sticky rice on my plate and Thai tea sweating in my hand — honestly, it tasted better because we’d picked half the ingredients ourselves. They gave us recipe booklets to take home (mine already has splatters on it) and promised we could always message them if we forgot something. On the drive back to Chiang Mai city, my hands still smelled like kaffir lime leaves. I keep thinking about that — how scent can stick longer than photos sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Thai cooking class and organic farm visit

• Arrive at Mama Noi Thai Cookery School
• Explore organic garden and pick ingredients
• Learn Thai cooking techniques with local chef
• Prepare five authentic Thai dishes
• Enjoy the meal prepared
• Receive souvenir recipe booklet
• Try complimentary Mango Sticky Rice and Thai Tea

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Chiang Mai cooking class?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off within Chiang Mai city area are included.

Do I get to pick ingredients from the organic farm?

Yes, you’ll explore the organic garden and pick fresh ingredients for your dishes.

How many dishes do we cook during the class?

You’ll prepare five authentic Thai dishes from scratch.

Are vegetarian options available at Mama Noi Cookery School?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Is this cooking class suitable for children?

Children must be at least 10 years old to participate in cooking activities; younger children can join as visitors but won’t cook.

What is included after the cooking class?

You’ll enjoy complimentary mango sticky rice and Thai tea after cooking.

Do I get recipes to take home?

Yes, a souvenir recipe booklet is provided with all dishes made during class.

What’s included

Your experience includes round-trip hotel pickup from Chiang Mai city area, a guided tour of the organic farm where you’ll pick fresh ingredients, your own cooking station for preparing five Thai dishes with help from a local chef, complimentary mango sticky rice and Thai tea after class, plus a recipe booklet to bring home those flavors.