i’ve got the opportunity to join the 2-weeks cooking program as an observer in October 2011 held by COOKING SCHOOL IN CHINA at the Sichuan Higher Institute of Cuisine in Chengdu. I accompanied my son Chris (who is a trainee chef in Mauritius) and wanted to update his skill in Chinese cooking. My Son and I were glad to join this cooking school as it was exactly what we wanted. There, I met many fellow chefs from all over the world and I was impressed to see the hands on by the Chefs and many new tricks from scratch and details teaching, learning loads. Besides, I must admit that it was the most authentic Chinese cooking I ever experienced. I love the Culture, the new skills on the technique and ingredients and history of the Sichuanese food which make the authenticity of all the dishes prepared or demonstrated there. Amazing experience….really enjoyed every class and I would recommend to friends. Thank you COOKING SCHOOL IN CHINA for your friendly and professional welcome. JEAN NOEL LI (MAURITIUS)”

I really enjoyed the two weeks at the cooking school. I loved watching the demonstrations and learning about all the different flavours and then having a go myself to make them. Eventually being able to manage the huge wok and become more organised in my food preparation felt like an achievement. I currently live in Sechuan and so learning more about the food here has been really useful.

This is a two-week course at the Sichuan Higher Institute of Cuisine that is put on two or three times a year in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. For details see the web-site: www.cookingschoolinchina.com

I went in October 2010, which was the last course held in the old school before it moved to the new building. The course was excellent: we learned to make nearly thirty dishes, and I loved the cuisine so much that most of the meals I made at home afterwards for the next few months were Sichuan!

What I had not expected was the enormous pleasure I got from meeting and working with the other people on the course, who came from all over the world and shared my love of Chinese food and the spirit of adventure that took us there; and with the Chinese chefs, assistants and interpreter. Working in that Chinese environment made us feel part of Chengdu, not tourists at all. And Chengdu is a friendly, welcoming city - though not many people speak English, which makes for fun when ordering food in local restaurants, which we sampled widely.

To sum up, I would say that it was one of the very best holidays I have ever had. I felt nostalgia for it for a long time afterwards - so much so that I went back to Chengdu this year, in October 2011!