The Praparat Sturlin Thai Cooking Masterclasses at Cherry Heaven in Corfe Castle in May 2007 were a great success, so will be repeated later in the year and in 2008. I've left the details here so you can see what you missed.

The dates haven't been set yet but, if you'd like to be mailed information about future masterclasses, please mail using the mail link below the menu bar.

Thai food is very popular in the UK, whether it's at a pub, restaurant, event, reception, or hotel. However, at home, most people serve ready-prepared dishes from the supermarket. So Cherry Heaven is happy to welcome Praparat Sturlin, the acclaimed Thai chef, for a series of masterclasses in Thai cooking.

Her masterclasses introduce you to buying and preparing the basic ingredients, including jasmine rice, lemongrass, kha root, magrood leaves, mung beans, chillis, fish sauce, coconut milk, red curry, green curry, noodles, meats, and seafood. Then it's hands-on to learn the authentic cooking and presentation techniques, including fruit and vegetable carving.

The workshops are suitable for professional chefs, recreational cooks, or culinary enthusiasts, whether your interest is a simple meal at home, an elegant buffet, or an elaborate dinner. No previous experience in Thai cooking is needed.

Praparat Sturlin, the director of the Thai Gourmet Cookery School, is a culinary professional. She studied at the Saoapha School, established by the fifth Queen Of Thailand, winning first and second awards for excellence in the Bi-Centennial National Culinary Competition.

She has worked in three of the World's top hotels, The Oriental, The Ambassador, and The Hyatt Regency in Bangkok, followed by Trader Vic's in Arizona. She started the Thai Gourmet House in Scotsdale, Arizona, and now has a wealth of teaching and catering experience. In her own words:

I teach a simple, practical, approach to healthy Thai cooking for a modern lifestyle: preparing and storing ingredients, menu and meal planning, cooking techniques, and presentation.

These courses are not in the Cherry Heaven on-line shop, so you need to call, rather than email or write, to reserve your place.

There are four one-day masterclasses: on Friday 18th May, Saturday 19th May, Sunday 20th May, and Monday 21st May 2007. They all run from 10:00 to 17:30.

It's a great opportunity to take a break and visit Corfe Castle village and the surrounding countryside. For a preview of the area, use the shop link below the menu bar, then choose map or Dorset.