Thailand adventure reaches halfway point!

Our Beauty and Catering learners and staff have reached the halfway point of their Thailand adventure!

The group of 25 from Scarborough TEC and East Riding College landed last Thursday, and have since been on a whirlwind tour of temples, markets and local sights. They are also squeezing in a jam packed timetable of classes at a Bangkok university – with Beauty learning Thai massage, and Catering enjoying a masterclass in local cookery.

Here, Catering Programme Leader Louise Leadley gives us an insight into the group’s first week…

“Almost a week has gone by since we arrived in Thailand, and what a week we have had. We were greeted at Bangkok airport and settled into our hotel. We are close to local shops and The Ladawan Palace is just over the road from us. The traffic is very busy outside the hotel, there are lots of bright pink and green taxis, and of course tuk tuks and motorbikes.

“Our introduction to Thai cuisine has been thoroughly embraced by students and staff and some of the dishes we have produced have been an absolute delight. The flavours and colours of all the dishes are so bright and fragrant, and yet so quick to prepare, cook and serve.  We are using a range of different ingredients, and have been introduced to many fruit and vegetables that we have not seen before. I haven’t yet found a dish that doesn’t include fish sauce!

“The kitchens and facilities here in the culinary school are excellent; we have four work stations and are split into groups of three. The chef lecturers and staff here have been so welcoming, they are so willing to share their skills and knowledge with us, giving us feedback on our dishes at the end of each session. Their hospitality is never ending, we are constantly kept fed and watered with snacks, lunch and dinner, along with all the tasters from the dishes we are making.

“The weather is very humid, the last two evenings have seen thunder and downpours of rain. We are due to spend the rest of the week in the culinary school

before taking a practical exam on Friday.

“We have trips planned to the markets and floating markets at the weekends. I am really looking forward to these. We also have the opportunity to have a day at the beach and will be volunteering in the local orphanage on our last morning before we fly home.

“We look forward to sharing our new culinary skills and knowledge with you all upon our return to Scarborough TEC.”

Study a Catering full-time or apprenticeship course with us from September 2022 and have the chance to visit Thailand on this trip, funded by the Turing scheme.

Check out the courses we offer as part of the brand new Yorkshire Hospitality Academy, launching this September: www.scarboroughtec.ac.uk/yorkshire-hospitality-academy