Day 6 - Cooking Classes

Today saw us head off on a half day cooking class (not floating as previously advertised). It started at one of the local café’s in Hoi An where we meet the rest of the willing participants. From there, our guide Mr An led us to the central Hoi An markets to show us the different fruit, vegetables and meat used in daily Vietnamese cooking. He also showed us many of the spices and utensils and explained all the goods throughout the myriad of stalls.

Mr An showing us the varieties of fruit at the market

On completion of the market education, we were boarded on a private boat to head up the Thu Bon River for a 30 minute ride to the Red Bridge Cooking School. The trip showed us Hoi An from the water and the abundance of life on the river as we cruised toward the school.

Fishing nets along the Thu Bon River 

One of the many tourist boats on the river 

Dropping some nets during the afternoon

Upon our arrival at the School, we were treated to some drinks before heading down to the ‘classroom’ right on the river bank and beginning our lessons. Our chef, whose name escapes us, was a laugh-a-minute guy who took us through series of dishes, each of which we all attempted at some stage. The program included preparation and the cooking of several dishes, as well as food decorating using fruit and vegetables. We got to make our own steamed rice paper for making fresh spring rolls and also attempted to cook Banh Xeo, otherwise known as Hoi An pancakes. The lesson concluded making Eggplant in a claypot and after it’s completion, we all sat and enjoyed our own claypot dishes with rice, steamed ocean fish with vegetables and platter of seasonal fruit including bananas (which haven’t been affected by the Queensland floods, and are in plentiful supply), dragonfruit, mango and pineapple.

Our cheeky chef for the day

 Watching the action from above on the 'Vietnamese TV'

The claypots simmering prior to lunch

The day finished with a leisurely cruise back to Hoi An via some of the canals around the area that showed us even more of the life along the Thu Bon River.

Local fisherwomen searching and sifting for clams 

Fishing boats tied up at Hoi An 

Tomorrow we have designated as a rest day so there probably won't be whole lotta news. However, if anything happens, you'll read it first here!!!