The Sticky Rice Cooking School: Amber takes a cooking lesson in te Adelaide Hills region of South Australia

Stirling is the last place you’d expect to find a 2-metre high, 3 tonne stone Buddha sitting outside what used to be the local deli. Welcome to Sticky Rice Cooking School where they take you on a cooking journey for food lovers.

The adventure begins as soon as you step in the door – the dining room is a collision of all things Asian - the vibrant colours, antiques and photos leave little doubt about the experience in store. This is all the work of self-confessed foodaholic, Claire Fuller who fell in love with Thailand and its food the first time she went there as a backpacker 10 years ago.

Claire Fuller, Sticky Rice Cooking School: "Ko Samui was my first trip to Thailand and I was mesmerized by the hustle and bustle, the sights, the smells, the sounds, the markets, the food.”

The dining room's only an entrée to the Sticky Rice Cooking School experience – the main course comes when you hit the purpose built teaching kitchen next door. Huge benchtops with 18 neatly laid out 18 chopping boards and knives.

In charge of the lesson is chef extraordinaire, Kelly Lord. A legend in his own kitchen at the highly acclaimed Sprit House Restaurant on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Kelly tops an impressive list of chefs Claire brings in for her classes.

Clare Fuller: "Cooking Thai food or Asian food, particularly Thai for me is quite magical. Something can change right at the end of the cooking process by just adding a squeeze of lime, just adding a dash of fish sauce it actually changes - it comes alive - something that's bland on the palate suddenly you taste five different things because you've added one extra thing. Umm, to me, that's magical."

Kelly Lord, Chef: "People can come with no experience at all or with a lot of experience and you can learn a lot but in different ways. We talk about all the ingredients and talk about all the processes so I think everyone comes away learning something in the classes."

The best thing about this cooking school is that at the end of the lesson you get top feast on what you prepared. The Sticky Rice Cooking School is at 96 Old Mount Barker Road in Stirling.

Claire has a range of Asian classes during the evenings, daytime and weekends all led by an impressive stable of chefs from around the country. A four hour session including lunch and wine costs $125. Private classes are also available. Check online for details. If you have any further questions please email admin@stickyricecookingschool.com.au

Sticky Rice Cooking School
96 Old Mt Barker Road
Stirling
Ph 8339 1314
Online Class calendar and bookings available at www.stickyricecookingschool.com.au

Published 10th May 2009