Meet
Aoy
Learn to cook with the winner of Iron Chef Thailand! Aoy is a passionate food and yoga lover who fully commits herself to every task at hand especially when it comes to preparing authentic and beautifully presented Thai dishes. Aoy lived abroad for 10 years and since returning to Thailand has dedicated herself to teaching Thai cooking to foreigners and opening a restaurant in her home. Aoy lives on a lush, beautiful property on the banks of the Tha Chin River and uses fresh herbs and produce grown in the local community in her cooking. Aoy's home is in the Nakhon Sathom Province and is a wonderful stop en route back from the Damnoen Saduak floating market into the city.
On days that Aoy is traveling, her master chef will host you. Her chef has worked for years behind the scenes of some of the best food establishments in town and will pass on some of her culinary expertise as guests learn what goes into the making mouthwatering dishes, from how to slice lemongrass to figuring out the perfect number of chilies to throw into the spiciest of dishes.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(1-9 guests)
Dine on Aoy's creative Thai dishes based on her family recipes in an air-conditioned dining room overlooking the river (or outdoors if the weather is nice). You will enjoy a meal of two to three dishes that may include muu phad grachhay (fried pork marinated in herbs and topped with fried finger root), gang phed ped yang (red curry with roasted duck, pineapple, pumpkin and sweet basil), pad Thai with shrimp or pad see ew, somtam lood (one of Aoy’s signature dishes with shredded green papaya, shrimp, tomato, long green bean, and roasted peanut all beautifully wrapped in a noodle sheet and served with a sweet and sour dressing) or tom yam gluuay (banana in spicy soup with fragrant Thai herbs) followed by dessert. Aoy is not only passionate about cooking but also presenting dishes artfully with flowers and herbs from her garden.
Please note that Aoy runs a restaurant out of her home so there may be a few patrons of the restaurant in the dining room during your meal.
Cooking experience:
(1-9 guests)
After a scenic boat ride in Bangkok, you’ll be greeted with a refreshing drink in the tranquil setting of Aoy’s lush garden oasis. Then step into her professional kitchen studio or her charming outdoor garden kitchen for a hands-on Thai cooking class. During your private Bangkok cooking class, you’ll learn to prepare two of your host's favorite traditional Thai dishes from scratch, mastering techniques like chopping, pounding, and seasoning with fresh local herbs and spices. Your host will share her deep culinary knowledge, insider tips, and passion for authentic Thai cuisine. This authentic Thai cooking class in Bangkok is ideal for couples, families, and groups of friends looking to connect over food and discover the art of traditional Thai cooking together.
Market visit:
(1-9 guests)
Aoy or a member of her team will meet you at Bang Wa BTS Station and drive you to two vibrant local markets. Your first stop is a bustling wholesale market filled with a vast selection of fresh produce, live seafood, meats, dry goods, and handmade noodles. Enjoy a traditional Thai breakfast of local snacks and coffee before heading to Don Wai Market, a charming riverside market located next to a Buddhist temple along the Tha Chin River. This hidden gem is known for its authentic atmosphere, fresh vegetables, and regional snacks - you’ll rarely spot other tourists here. As you explore, Aoy will guide you to her favorite vendors, sharing insights into seasonal ingredients and the surrounding farming community. You'll then board a small boat that Aoy steers herself for a peaceful 15-30 minute cruise to her tropical riverside home, passing stilted houses and lush riverbanks along the way.
Notes:
1. Please note that on the days that Aoy is traveling, her chef, an expert in Thai cuisine will host you for your experience.
2. Beer is available for purchase on location.
3. If you choose the paid transport option, you will be picked up and dropped off by car from your hotel in Bangkok.
Languages spoken:
English, Thai,
Sample menu
Traveler reviews
Everything about this experience was absolutely incredible. Aoy was remarkably hospitable and showed us through the market, sampling everything that caught our eye and teaching us about all of the local produce and showed us an authentic snapshot of her life. Her staff was incredibly attentive and we felt generously accommodated. You can tell Aoy loves what she does and makes her guests feel remarkably welcome. If you have a free afternoon available, this is an absolute must.
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dom
May 26, 2026
The cooking class was a fantastic experience for the whole family, including our children, and highly recommended! We were picked up from and dropped off at the hotel. Aoy showed us three different markets, and we got to sample lots of different things. The boat trip was a highlight for the kids! We were greeted with a personalized sign at the restaurant. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of the whole family was palpable everywhere! At the end, we were generously given lots of fruit for the rest of our trip. Truly unique!
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barbara
April 15, 2026
Day 90, Bangkok: Ms. Aoy, winner of Iron Chef Thailand 2023 reality show, was our host and guide for our Thai market and cooking experience, a gift from our awesome TA Tami. We have now met Le Ly's Thai doppelganger - a strong-willed, non-stop, passionate asian woman - a cross between an energizer bunny and an Italian momma pushing food. We ate waaaay too much and sometimes struggled to keep up with her fast paced walking. After a short boat ride passing riverside homes and businesses, we arrived at Damoen Floating Market where Aoy's love of food was first revealed. "You have to try this" was the refrain - deep fried bananas, white rice with pork, a noodle soup, creamy coconut, coconut pancakes. We tried to eat all this delicious food and show respect to the vendors she clearly knew well, but there was so so much of it. And that was only the beginning. As we walked along pathways, she picked herbs and fruit for us to taste, items we would have walked right by. We proceeded to Rai Khing, the village just outside Bangkok where Aoy grew up. She left for 20 years to work in tourism, but was drawn back by her love of the cooking she learned from her mother. On the way, she had the driver pull over at a roadside stand to buy grapes and longans for us to bring back to the ship (she insisted) and purchased two grapevines to add to her garden at home, proudly sharing how cheap they were. The village market was a beehive of activity - clean, bright, and welcoming. Sample after sample of fruits, herbs, nuts, and other delicacies were offered, all as Aoy conversed with her friends and neighbors in Thai. She had mentioned that we would take her boat from the market to her restaurant...but we didn't expect HER to be driving it. A signboard with our names welcomed us at Aoywaan Riverside dock and cold cloths wrapped around fresh herbs were presented with instructions to snap the branches and squeeze to release the juices into the cloth. The pungent aromas made the cool cloths even more refreshing. I had mentioned seeing workers in a Cambodian restaurant making decorations from Lotus buds. At our table was a vase of lotus buds for an impromptu lesson in lotus bud folding - she had called ahead for her staff to gather some. After donning our hats and aprons, we proceeded with our cooking lessons, preparing green curry, mango salad, pad Thai, and sticky rice - all from scratch. An ingredient review had us smelling and tasting samples of each item in their raw forms, all laid out with labels for our learning. No modern blenders - everything ground and blended using mortar and pestle. It takes a surprising amount of physical strength to do it. When I got tired and Aoy took over, she pounded so hard and fast that pieces were flying out the sides! Soon it was time to taste our masterpieces - so delicious and fresh. A surprise birthday dessert and a rousing rendition of happy birthday by her whole staff ended an amazing afternoon. After fond farewells, and with a bag of fruits and goodies that we could hardly carry, we departed for the four hour ride to meet our ship. No Azamazing Evening for us, despite best laid plans. The thought of getting on a bus for a 45 min ride - no way! We stayed on board, happy to be home after a week away.
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tami
April 07, 2026
We had an absolutely extraordinary experience—far exceeding our expectations. It was a birthday surprise for my boyfriend, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. :)
From the very first moment, Aoy (Aoywaan), our wonderful tour guide and chef, made us feel truly welcome. Everything was thoughtfully planned, creating an authentic and enriching experience.
From local markets off the beaten track to a sunset boat trip and cooking together, every moment was special. We also learned so much and discovered many new flavors - from meat and fish to fruits and local drinks.
Truly exceptional - we highly recommend it and would love to come back.
Warm greetings from Andi & Steph
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andi
March 22, 2026
I'm a Frosch travel advisor and booked this experience for my clients. Art and Karen LOVED their experience with Aoy.
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Sarah, Signature Travel Advisor
February 06, 2026
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