So, you’ve decided to level up your cooking game in 2025? We get it — cooking isn’t just about feeding yourself anymore. It’s about discovering new cultures, experimenting with flavours, mastering techniques, and maybe even launching your own restaurant someday. If you’re dreaming big (or just trying to impress your friends with your mad kitchen skills), we’ve got a few cooking classes that should be at the top of your list: Chinese, Korean, and French cooking classes!
But why these three? What’s so special about Chinese, Korean, and French cuisines that make them a must-learn? Let’s dive into the delicious world of these culinary powerhouses and why they’re the perfect pick for your 2025 cooking adventures.
Why Chinese Cooking?
Chinese cuisine is a global favourite and for good reason. It’s not just about dumplings and noodles (although those are pretty awesome), it’s about a deep connection to history, balance, and technique. From the bustling streets of Beijing to the cosy kitchens of Shanghai, the diversity in Chinese cooking is staggering, making it a fantastic base for anyone looking to explore the culinary world.
Chinese cooking isn’t just about spicy, sweet, or savoury but it’s about the harmony of all these flavours combined. Mastering techniques like stir-frying, steaming, and braising will allow you to create a wide variety of dishes that celebrate the complexity of Chinese culinary traditions.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Chinese food is the most popular cuisine in the world? According to a 2020 survey, Chinese food is the world’s top choice for take-out and dining in. Talk about a global superstar!
Popular Dishes to Learn:
- Dumplings: From steamed to pan-fried, these little pockets of deliciousness are a staple. Learning how to fold them is an art in itself!
- Kung Pao Chicken: A zesty combination of chicken, peanuts, and spicy chilli peppers, this dish is a true test of your stir-frying skills.
While Chinese cooking may seem straightforward at first, it’s the balance of flavours and textures that can really make or break a dish. Plus, there’s the challenge of mastering the wok, which seems simple enough but believe us, it’s one of those techniques that’s deceptively hard to perfect!
Why Korean Cooking?
Let’s talk about Korean cooking—a cuisine that’s making waves around the globe for its bold flavours, vibrant colours, and endless variety. It’s a cuisine of contrasts, blending spicy, sweet, sour, and salty all in one bite. But what truly makes Korean food so special is its deep-rooted connection to tradition and family. It’s not just about what’s on the plate, but how it brings people together.
Korean food celebrates fermentation—yes, that wonderful process that brings out deeper, richer flavours. Techniques like fermenting, grilling, and stewing create complex, layered dishes that make Korean food so unique.
Fun Fact: Korean cuisine is among the top five most Googled cuisines in the world, according to recent culinary search data. So, if you’re not already obsessed with kimchi and bulgogi, you will be soon.
Popular Dishes to Learn:
- Kimchi: The ultimate fermented dish! It’s a staple in Korean meals and a fun project for any aspiring chef. Getting that perfect balance of sour and spicy takes practice, but it’s totally worth it.
- Bibimbap: A rice bowl loaded with vegetables, meat, and a fried egg, topped off with spicy gochujang. It’s a perfect balance of texture and flavour, and a crowd-pleaser every time.
Korean cooking can sometimes be deceptively simple in its ingredients but incredibly difficult in its flavours. The grilling techniques and seasoning balance will challenge even the most experienced cooks. But once you get it right? Oh, the joy of a perfectly grilled bulgogi.
Why French Cooking?
Ah, French cuisine. The mother of all haute cuisine. French cooking is often seen as the gold standard, and for good reason. With an emphasis on technique, precision, and the finest ingredients, French cuisine is all about creating perfect dishes that reflect the culture’s obsession with beauty and quality.
Learning French cuisine means getting familiar with its foundational techniques: making the perfect sauce, mastering the art of pastry, and understanding how to pair wine and food. French cuisine may seem intimidating, but once you get the hang of things, it’s incredibly rewarding. Imagine making your own buttery croissants, delicate soufflés, or rich beef bourguignon.
Fun Fact: French cooking is the main style of 16 Michelin three-star restaurants (the highest honour in the food world). And French pastries? The world can’t get enough. In fact, around 8 million croissants are eaten every day in France.
Popular Dishes to Learn:
- Coq au Vin: A rich, hearty chicken dish simmered in red wine, mushrooms, and onions. Mastering this dish is a great way to learn about slow cooking and flavour development.
- Macarons: Light, delicate, and absolutely irresistible. These colourful French treats are the perfect introduction to pastry techniques.
Though French cuisine is renowned for its complexity, once you’ve learned the basics, you can pretty much cook anything with ease. The French “mother sauces” (béchamel, hollandaise, velouté, etc.) are the foundation of many dishes, so mastering these will give you a strong base for cooking all around the world and might even start dreaming of running your own bistro.
The Ultimate Path to Mastering These Cuisines: IDE Professional Diploma Program – Cuisine
Ready to take your culinary skills to the next level? The IDE Professional Diploma Program – Cuisine is your gateway to mastering these iconic cuisines and much more. With over 200 recipes and 150 techniques, this program is the gold standard for aspiring chefs who want to gain a deep understanding of global culinary traditions.
Whether you’re looking to perfect your French sauce-making, master the art of Chinese stir-fry, or create the bold flavours of Korean cuisine, IDE’s comprehensive curriculum covers it all. Guided by expert chefs, you’ll learn essential skills, from hygiene and knife techniques to advanced cooking methods and plating finesse.
Start your culinary journey today – contact us now to find out how you can become a rising star in the world of gastronomy!