5 Cooking Classes in Malaysia That Will Help You Wok the Talk in the Kitchen
As a homeowner, one of the most fulfilling things I achieved was mastering my kitchen to cook for my family. It wasn’t a smooth sailing journey though, as my kitchen saw a handful of burnt and undercooked dishes that I don’t plan on talking about here.
What I want to share is Malaysia’s cooking classes that helped me become the master of my kitchen today as well as some that I haven’t tried personally but I think are worth giving a shot.
So, whether you’re looking to replicate the famous dishes of SS15 or dip your hands in the international food scene, here are some of the best Malaysian cooking classes to check out:
How much do cooking classes cost in Malaysia?
Cooking classes in Malaysia usually cost RM25 or more per hour. The price depends on the lessons being taught, the establishment itself, the scope of the curriculum, etc.
1. LaZat Cooking School
Highlights: Plant-based menu, Malaysian delights, street food, Southern favourites
Location: Menara Bangsar, 297, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact: +60 19-238 1198
Business hours:
- Monday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
LaZat Cooking School was one of our top prospects because of its great variety of classes throughout the week. For instance, Tuesdays are focused on Nyonya food while Fridays are for Southern favourites, which include the famous curry laksa.
One of the things we love about LaZat Cooking School is its hands-on approach. For instance, they won’t just teach you how to cook the dish you’re making but they’ll also let you experience picking the ingredients yourself by including a market tour in each package.
At the same time, we also appreciate that they offer this tour as an optional addition so students won’t be forced to pay more if they already know how to pick out ingredients.
Speaking of paying more, our only gripe is its pricey package rates. It’s money worth spending though, as you’ll get to learn everything about the dish, from how to pick its ingredients from the market to how to cook them in your kitchen.
True Malaysian cooking at its finest
“Another sensational class at LaZat cooking school. Thank you so much to Ana, Irene, Doreen and especially our teacher Vivian, learn something new every time I come here, this was my 5 th visit and definitely won’t be the last.
Cannot recommend them highly enough. True Malaysian cooking at its finest, Cheers”
— Rod Perry, Google Review
Incredibly prepared and knowledgeable
“Excellent team building activity! The LaZat team was incredibly prepared and knowledgeable – not only about cooking but also about our company and team!
Celina and the team made sure we had an awesome time together, learned and reflected, and ate the most delicious meal we’ve had in KL!”
— HYX C, Google Review
2. Kitchen Showdown Malaysia
Highlights: Amazing Race, Pizza Perfecto, Mystery Box Challenge, Ultimate Restaurant
Location: N-09-01, Pusat Perdagangan, Persiaran Jalil 3, Bandar Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Contact: +60 12-922 1275
Kitchen Showdown Malaysia instantly caught our attention because of its fun and unique courses. These courses disguise themselves as cooking challenges akin to those found in shows like Masterchef, making learning all the more engaging.
Among these challenges, one that stood out to us the most was the mystery box challenge, which is also the most Masterchef-y course. If you’re not familiar with the show, this course involves the group whipping up a 3-course meal using random ingredients inside a box.
Meanwhile, we also appreciate that they offer something more traditional like their Pizza Perfecto course, which is perfect for beginners. This class teaches everything one must know about making the best pizza from kneading the dough to topping the pie itself.
One thing we aren’t super fans of is that they slightly focus more on team building as opposed to individuals or couples. It’s not something that’s overly bad but it offers a different learning experience compared to more intimate settings, which we wish they provided as well.
Promotes teamwork, creativity and friendly competition
“Kitchen Showdown is a fantastic venue for team-building activities! The interactive cooking challenges promote teamwork, creativity, and friendly competition in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a great way to bond while learning new culinary skills. Highly recommended for teams looking to strengthen collaboration and communication in a unique setting.”
— Nor Kamaliah Abdul Lattif, Google Review
A fantastic corporate team-building activity
“Great experience! Fantastic corporate team building activity, that is really well run and coordinated by Jerry and Chef Dong!”
— Travis Lloyd, Google Review
3. Cooking with Chef Samuel
Highlights: 3-day culinary masterclass, 3-dish/4-dish private course, online masterclass
Location: 66, Nautilus Bay Lebuh Sungai Pinang 3 Jelutong, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Contact: +60 11-1068 5779
Business hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cooking with Chef Samuel is one of those classes that will give you in-depth learning sessions about whichever dish you choose to make. We say this because they offer private courses and detailed culinary masterclasses on different Malaysian cuisines and dishes.
However, the biggest highlight here remains to be Chef Samuel himself, who has been on this culinary journey for over 10 years. Several of their previous students highlighted how engaging he made the class feel by taking the time to ask plenty of questions to his students.
Speaking of the environment, it also helps that their cooking studio is well-maintained and equipped with all the facilities and tools one might need. If you can’t make it to the studio, however, you can still enjoy his masterclass training by opting for his in-depth online sessions.
Given his experience and how detailed each masterclass he’s offering, it doesn’t come as a surprise how expensive his rates are. However, we can say with confidence that you’ll be getting what you’re paying for.
One of the best!
“I have done several cooking classes across the world and this was one of the best! The booking experience was seamless and communication was excellent throughout. Samuel arrived promptly to collect us from our hotel and took us to a market.
We had a light breakfast here; the drink I wanted to try wasn’t available and Samuel was so thoughtful that he provided it with my lunch when we finished cooking.
Samuel did an amazing job at teaching us about the culture and science of the cooking process, he asked us lots of questions and was very engaging.
The facilities were exceptionally clean and comfortable. The food was delicious! Samuel was great at tailoring the experience to us and we were so grateful that we booked it. He also gave us some recommendations for places to eat while in Georgetown.
I would definitely recommend this experience!”
— A D’Souza, Google Review
Highly recommended
“We are both so pleased we took up this class. We had a full half day. The trip to the market was brilliant. Even though we can cook, Sam showed us some wok techniques that will take us to the next level.
His tips and teaching were spot on. We came away with a pile of food and the knowledge of how to recreate the dishes. We highly recommend and will repeat on our next trip.”
— Ch Earl, Google Review
4. Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts (APCA)
Highlights: Masterclass workshop, professional culinary program, full-time pastry classes
Location: 16, Jalan 51a/223, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 3-7960 3846
Business hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts is one of the most prestigious cooking schools in the country so it was a no-brainer to include it here. For starters, they offer some of the most detailed pastry masterclasses we’ve seen in any cooking school.
They offer full-time, part-time and 24-day workshops, all of which are helmed by one of their talented and experienced pastry chefs who have 10+ years of experience under their belts. The programs they offer run through a wide variety of sweet and savoury pastries.
Also, they feature a professional culinary program, which caters to those who are more experienced in the kitchen. This program spans three weekends and covers various topics like catering, Asian cuisine, fine dining and European and Western cuisine.
Of course, the only problem here is the hefty price tags on each package. Also, we would’ve loved it if they offered online sessions in this day and age but we respect their decision to have all their classes in person for a more hands-on learning experience.
Amazing culinary experience
“I had an amazing culinary experience with Chef Ahmad! His passion for cooking really shows in every dish. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented. Chef Ahmad’s attention to detail and creativity made each course a true delight.
What sets him apart is his solid culinary education and extensive knowledge, which you can tell in the way he explains the ingredients and techniques used.
His expertise creates an atmosphere where you learn about the food while enjoying it. I highly recommend Chef Ahmad to anyone looking for a top-notch culinary experience!”
— Clarence L, Google Review
I’ve gained so much knowledge here
“The chef at APCA is not only skilled but also incredibly friendly. Their high-quality pastries and engaging courses have significantly enriched my learning experience.
I’ve gained so much knowledge here. If you’re looking to start or elevate your culinary career, I highly recommend joining this academy.”
— HYX C, Google Review
5. Sunway Le Cordon Bleu
Products: Baby clothing, babycare and bath, maternity and nursing, toys, feeding
Location: 5, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 19-305 2586
Business hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Right off the bat, we were surprised to discover that Sunday Le Cordon Bleu has been around for more than a hundred years. Throughout the years, they’ve spawned 35 schools in 20 countries, making their cooking classes some of the most reputable ones you can enjoy.
We were further impressed by how decorated this school was, garnering multiple awards including Best Culinary Institute at the Award of Excellence of the World Gourmet Summit.
They offer a vast curriculum that spans multiple courses but one that we love the most is their bakery certificate course. This course is helmed by one of their two expert bakers and they’ll cover everything from techniques to ingredients and more.
One thing we wish they would improve is the number of their equipment. We’ve interviewed some of their past students and a handful of them felt this way, especially considering the time constraints that they were in.
Also, we do have to note that the price range for their classes is a bit higher than your regular cooking school, but hey, at least you’re paying for quality.
A fun learning environment
“A fine culinary school with high standards and quality. It’s a privilege to attend Le Cordon Bleu. The Chef instructors are friendly and make it a fun learning environment for the students.”
— S M, Google Review
An experience like no other
“It is an experience like no other, I have learnt a lot from top chefs in the world and it does get quite hands-on however sometimes.
I do feel like it’s slightly unfair when it comes to time because there is limited equipment for all students to do but other than that it has been a fun ride so far.”
— xXSnowScoutXx, Google Review