Walk Through an Authentic Phuket, Thailand, Food Market With a Thai Chef by Elisa Schmitz

Are you a fan of Thai food? From sweet to savory to spicy (and really spicy!), the food in Thailand is literally a culinary adventure. I have enjoyed my time here so much. The Thai people are warm, friendly and offer incredible hospitality.

And the food has been one of the things I will remember most. I won't forget the food vendors on the side of the road, selling anything from barbecued chicken to deep-friend insects. I will always remember the foods I enjoyed most – fresh-caught seafood grilled in banana leaves.

That's why I was excited to take a Thai cooking class and learn the secrets of Thai cooking from an authentic chef. At the J.W. Marriott in Phuket, they offer a Ginja Cooking School that teaches you how to make a delicious Thai meal. After a few hours, you even get a certificate to show prove your expertise.

We started with a visit to the local food market down the road from the hotel. Chef Nok introduced us to a wide variety of fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables, some of which we bought to use in our meal. The market was alive – literally – with locally sourced produce, meats and seafood so fresh, you wouldn't be surprised if it jumped onto your plate!

Watch this video to see all the things we learned (and maybe some things we wish we hadn't)!

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