A Thai cooking class, right at home

If you want Thai food without the line, this private virtual class brings Chiang Mai flavor to your kitchen. It is taught by Benny, a Thai cooking instructor with 13 years of teaching, and you work with her using tools like Zoom or WhatsApp. You choose your pace, and you can even cook with family or friends in the same session.

What I like most is the step-by-step coaching and the way you can request your menu. I also like that the class supports different eating styles, including vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. A key drawback to plan for: you have to buy the ingredients yourself, so it is not a bring-your-apron-and-receipt-free kind of activity.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private, group-only session: it is just your group, so questions do not get lost.
• Pick 2 menus: choose what you want, then Benny gives you a tailored ingredient list.
• Flexible substitutions: if you cannot find an item, you can skip it and Benny helps you adjust.
• Designed for all skill levels: the instructions are easy to follow even if you rarely cook.
• Dietary options are built in: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free are supported.
• Thai techniques, not just recipes: you learn how to make the dishes, not only what to do once.

In Your Kitchen, With Benny in Chiang Mai

This is a Thai cooking class that travels to you. Benny runs it from Chiang Mai, and you join from anywhere in the world using Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Webex, or another app that works for you.

The “private” part matters. If you have questions like how spicy should it be, what texture you are aiming for, or what to do when your pan runs too hot, you are not competing with a room full of strangers. The pace also tends to feel calmer because it is one group and one instructor.

Benny has been teaching since 2015 and has 13 years of experience total. That shows in how the class is organized: you are not just watching; you are cooking, with guidance.

Choose Your 2 Menus, Then Get a Flexible Ingredient List

Before class, you select two menus. If you do not see exactly what you want on the list, you can contact Benny and request a Thai menu you love, even if it is not on the standard options.

After you choose, you receive an ingredient list. The useful part is how Benny treats the list: ingredients are flexible, and if you cannot find something, you can skip it. She will help you still build a good Thai meal at home, which is a big deal if you are cooking outside Thailand where brands and produce vary.

For planning, you should think of this like a “Thai meal blueprint.” You get structure, but you are not trapped into finding a single perfect ingredient or spending extra money on specialty items. That flexibility is one of the main reasons people tend to end up with a satisfying result instead of a sad pot of confused flavor.

What “2 Hours of Cooking” Really Means Online

The class runs for about 2 hours. You will coordinate the time that suits both sides, and you can take the class anytime during the listed hours of 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

In the session, Benny explains and shows each menu step by step. You follow along while you cook, so the class is part instruction, part practice. That is also why it is private: you can ask questions at the moment something feels unclear, instead of waiting until the end.

You should also expect a lively vibe. The class format is built for engagement, and multiple people highlight Benny’s humor and the way she teaches in a friendly, encouraging way. If you are cooking with others, the experience is also set up for that kind of shared fun—so it is not only a solo activity.

The Thai Dishes and Techniques You Can Reuse

The class focuses on techniques and tips that help your next Thai meal feel easier. Instead of being a one-time “follow the recipe” event, you leave with a better sense of what Thai cooking is aiming for: balance of flavors, correct textures, and timing.

One thing that stands out from prior experiences with Benny is that she teaches more than generic Thai food. People describe her teaching northern-style dishes in addition to classics. In practice, that matters because northern Thai cooking often leans into different herbs and flavor approaches than what you might expect from a standard Bangkok-style menu.

In the virtual format, you will likely cook the dishes you chose—such as familiar favorites like pad Thai or green curry when those are the menu selections. But the real value is learning how to handle the process: how to prep key ingredients, how to manage heat, and how to adjust during cooking when something looks off.

Dietary Options: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, and Friends

Thai food can be surprisingly adaptable, and this class is built with that in mind. Benny states that there are options for vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other preferences.

This is helpful if you have a group with mixed needs. Since you select two menus, you can pick dishes that match what everyone can eat. You can also contact Benny for menu choices based on dietary needs, and she will work with you.

What I like here is that the flexibility does not stop at the menu. If an ingredient is hard to find, Benny helps you adjust. That makes dietary accommodation more practical, especially if you are outside Thailand and working with what your local stores can provide.

Price and Value: $28.23 Per Person for a Private Lesson

At $28.23 per person, this sits in the “small cost, real skill” category. It is not a budget street-food tour, and it is not trying to be. You are paying for private instruction, a structured lesson, and the chance to cook something properly instead of guessing.

The ingredients are not included, so you should budget for grocery shopping. Still, the math often works out because you usually walk away with enough food for the meal you cooked, plus leftovers depending on portion sizes.

Also, the private format adds value. Group classes can be cheaper, but you lose time asking questions and you sometimes end up waiting for the slowest person. Here, the instructor is focused on your group.

If you want a low-risk way to learn Thai cooking skills from someone who has spent years teaching, this is a strong value. The only time it feels less worth it is if you already cook confidently and you only want quick entertainment rather than instruction.

Practical Prep So Your Session Goes Smoothly

You can make this class easier on yourself with a little prep. The ingredient list arrives after you choose your two menus, so shop soon enough that you can notice what you can and cannot find.

When you do not have a specific ingredient, do not panic. Benny’s approach is built for substitutions and skipping items. The key is to still follow the steps and keep an eye on textures and flavor goals while you cook.

Plan your kitchen setup too. Clear space, check your stove works, and make sure you have basic tools ready (bowls, a cutting board, and utensils). Since it is a live class, having your setup ready reduces frustration and helps you stay in sync with the timing.

If you are cooking with friends or family, coordinate beforehand. Agree on when you start chopping, and decide who handles which tasks so the group stays moving.

Communication Tools: Zoom, WhatsApp, and Keeping the Pace

You can use whatever program works best for you, including Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, or Webex. That flexibility is useful if your group already has a preferred app or if one device is easier for you.

Because it is live, internet stability matters. If possible, join from a device with a reliable connection, and keep the volume up so you catch instructions without constant replays.

Private sessions also mean you can troubleshoot quickly. If your sauce looks too thick, or your curry feels too sharp, ask in the moment. Live corrections are where a cooking class earns its keep.

Who This Is Best For (And Who Might Skip It)

This class is ideal if you:

• Want a hands-on Thai cooking lesson without traveling
• Prefer private attention, especially if you have questions
• Have a group you want to cook with—family, friends, or mixed dietary needs
• Are curious about Thai cooking techniques beyond takeout

It may be less ideal if:

• You do not want to source ingredients yourself
• You want only tasting or sightseeing, not cooking
• Your schedule makes coordination hard, since the class time is arranged to fit both sides

If you love Chiang Mai but cannot go right now, this is a very practical way to bring that food culture home. If you are already heading to Thailand later, this also works as a tasty warm-up so you recognize flavors when you dine out.

Should You Book Benny’s Private Virtual Class?

I would book it if you want real instruction and you like the idea of cooking Thai food with guidance, not guesswork. Benny’s teaching style—organized, friendly, and focused on step-by-step clarity—is exactly what makes virtual cooking classes work when they are done right.

You should also book if your group has dietary needs. The class is set up for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and more, and Benny is willing to help you adapt when an ingredient is missing.

Skip it only if you truly do not want to handle ingredients or you are looking for a passive experience. This is a cooking class. You will cook, you will chop, and you will learn.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the private virtual Thai cooking class?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What app do we need to join the class?

You can use Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Webex, or another application that works for you.

Do I choose the menu before the class?

Yes. You select 2 menus, and you can also contact Benny about your menu choice if you want something different.

Are the ingredients included?

No. The recipe is included, but all ingredients are not included.

What if I can’t find an ingredient?

Ingredients are flexible. If you cannot find an item, you can skip it, and Benny will help you create a good Thai meal at home.

Is the class private?

Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

What dietary options are available?

Benny mentions vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other options.

How do I get confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What is the cancellation policy?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, you do not get a refund.