Chengdu Private Dining Experience

Summary: This was a great experience with our guide Lance who took us to a local market before heading to the restaurant. The Chef was friendly and allowed us to help prepare the food which was delicious.

Summary: If you’re in the gastronomy capital of Sichuan and don’t stain your hands with flour and chili, you’re missing half the experience. I recently attended a cooking class in Chengdu and, honestly, it was the high point of my trip around China. Here is my review so you can take the plunge: 🌶️ From Market to Wok: A Total Immersion in Chengdu If you’re looking for more than just following a recipe, this is the ultimate experience. It's not just a cooking class; it's a masterclass in the philosophy of "Taste of Sichuan." Best of the experience: • The Local Market Tour: Before lighting the fire, we walked through a neighborhood market. Forget the tourist supermarkets; here we learned to differentiate the different types of Sichuan pepper (the one that makes your tongue sleep) and choose the Doubanjiang (bean and chili paste) fermented for years. • Real Wok Technique: The chef not only told us what to throw, but how to do it. We learned the art of "wok hei breath" and precise fire control so that the garlic browns without bitterness. • The Star Menu: We prepare the three pillars of the region ⁠ The environment: The class was relaxed, with fluent English from the instructor and plenty of patience. We were a small group, which allowed the chef to correct our cutting technique ("silk style") personally. At the end, we all sat down to eat our creations accompanied by a local tea, sharing stories with travelers from around the world. Verdict: If you want to understand why Chengdu is a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, stop eating out for an afternoon and learn to create magic yourself. I walked out of there with the stained apron, full belly and exact recipes to try (courageously) to replicate it at home. Expert tip: Don't eat much breakfast. You will taste ingredients throughout the market tour and the final meal is plentiful. Get ready for the spiciness! 🥢🔥

Summary: Lance was a wonderful teacher! We enjoyed an informative visit to the market and learning to cook Sichuan cuisine at the kitchen. The team was friendly and we really enjoyed spending the morning with them. We highly recommend the private experience- it allowed for more casual conversation and learning. We would highly recommend!