by Sandra Scott

In Thailand, at the mere mention of the name Chef Yingsak, people break into a smile. The flamboyant chef, owner of the Thai & International Food Academy (1004 Rama III Road, Bangpongpang, Yannawa, Bangkok, 10120, Thailand; phone +66 [0] 2682-7644, e-mail center@yingsakfood.com), is the best-known chef in Thailand and hosts his own TV cooking show.

Friends in Thailand had recommended Chef Yingsak’s school, so when my husband, John, and I were in Thailand in...

by Sandra Scott

My husband, John, and I spent March 2010 traveling along the coast of Turkey enjoying the local cuisine, which included plenty of fresh fish and vegetables. We inquired about cooking classes at our hotels. The answer was always the same: “No, but we are thinking about it.”

In Bodrum we posed the same question at the tourist office. They suggested we check with the restaurant Komodor Meze Evi (Umurça mah, Dervis¸ Görgün Cad. No. 23/C, Bodrum, Turkey; phone [0252...

by Sandra Scott

Dim sum is uniquely Chinese. Consisting of a variety of dumplings and other items usually served in individual bamboo steamers, it could be equated to hors d’oeuvres, and when several are ordered they make a wonderful meal.

Dim sum translates to “touch your heart.” My husband, John, and I were introduced to dim sum in Hong Kong several years ago. A friend took us to a dim sum restaurant where a wheeled cart with a variety of dim sum choices went from table to...