Image adapted from: @hweekiat, @reenieho and @shawn_chen1026
If you’re nowhere near to being a MasterChef, your go-to kitchen fixes are probably one, instant noodles and two, fried eggs. Everyone wants to be able to casually whip up some fancy dishes at home. But with culinary classes costing a fair bit, learning how to cook or bake like a pro seems a faraway dream.
But don’t let your tummy despair just yet. We’ve compiled a list of culinary classes that are SkillsFuture-claimable, for you to upgrade those kitchen skills from zilch to Gordon Ramsay level. Using your SkillsFuture credits, you can attend these classes for practically FREE – no strings attached.
For more cooking classes, check out:
Image credit: Eric Low
onePA’s courses are perhaps the most convenient for just about everyone, because they’re regularly conducted across various Community Centres across Singapore in almost every neighbourhood. Even if there isn’t a centre directly underneath your block, there’s bound to be an accessible one not too far away.
The different types of cuisine you’ll learn in the classes depends on the schedule and location you pick – though most of them are Asian, including local hawker favourites. Some of them include Chicken Rice, healthy vegetarian dishes using locally grown produce, and Thai dishes like Tom Yam Soup, Pineapple Rice, and Pandan Chicken.
Classes typically range from double-digit prices to over $150 depending on complexity.
How much you save: From $45
Image credit: Cattee236
Under ITE, you can choose from their basic Western or Asian culinary classes based on what sits best with your taste buds.
The former will teach you how to whip up a 3-course meal of salad and dressing, soup, and a main, while the latter will equip you with the skills to make Boon Tong Kee Coffee Pork Ribs,
Bee Heong Palace Claypot Rice with Pork and Leaf Mustard, and Chin Lee Teochew Yam Paste with Gingko Nuts from secret recipes.
How much you save: From $160
Image credit: Raffles Skills Lab
Those who have Halal food requirements can sign up for the cooking courses offered by Raffles Skills Lab, which are all Muslim-friendly. The Traditional Malay Cuisine course will teach you how to make Ayam Merah (spicy chicken), Siput Sedut (shellfish), and Begedil – along with 2 bonus recipes which will be kept a surprise until you attend.
If you have more of a Western palate, go for the Traditional Swedish Cuisine course where you’ll make healthy, balanced dishes of Swedish Meat Patties with Sauce, Pyttipanna (Swedish hash), and Skagenröra (Prawn toast). Looks like you’ll be giving IKEA a run for their money after this.
How much you save: From $200
Address: Block 70 Geylang Bahru, #03-2719, Singapore 330070
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 9AM-6PM (Closed on weekends)
Telephone: 6392 5072
Website
Image credit: Lifelong Learning Institute
Here’s one for those who love Asian dishes. Learn how to cook up a fragrant feast with Asian Culinary Institute of Singapore, with a wide range of classes including Creative Cooking with Eggs, Cooking with Herbs & Spices, and Tantalizing Thai Cooking. However, note that not all of them are 100% claimable and will require you to fork out a small double-digit sum.
As it requires the lowest additional fee of $21.50 nett – which is honestly quite negligible, considering the general prices of cooking classes – we’d like to point your attention to their Flavours of Singapura class. There, you’ll learn how to cook Braised Pork with Yam, Char Siew, and steamed Mantou.
How much you save: From $215
Address: 11 Eunos Road 8, #03-01 Lifelong Learning Institute, Singapore 408601
Telephone: 6417 3318
Website
While Combi ovens are typically used for Western dishes, Nanyang Polytechnic challenges that notion with their hands-on Combi Oven Cooking for Chinese Cuisine course. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to own a combi oven to replicate what you’ve learnt, as you can always tweak the cooking instructions and pop those tasty treats into your own regular oven at home.
How much you save: From $260
Address: 180 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, Singapore 569830
Telephone: 6451 5115
Website
Image credit: @allspiceinstitute
Classes at Allspice will teach you how to add some pizzazz to your dishes, using a variety of – you guessed it – spices. Names like Star Anise and Garam Masala might sound familiar to you as they’re often incorporated in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Take Peranakan cuisine to the next level with three courses of increasing difficulty. From aromatic coconut-infused curry to dense and flavourful beef rendang, you’ll learn to cook these traditional nyonya dishes just the way your grandmother did.
Vegan sushi rolls
Image credit: @ds.stelzchen
They also specialise in vegan and vegetarian delights for health junkies craving a major upgrade from your kale and spinach salad lunches. During classes, you’ll be using organic vegetables home grown in Allspice’s garden to prepare these dishes.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $118 – $200
Address: Blk 162, Bukit Merah Central, #07-3545, Singapore 150162
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 8.30AM – 6PM | Sat: 9AM – 12.30PM (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 6276 0760 / 6377 9303
Website
Image credit: @palatesensations
Though they offer international cuisine classes too, Palate Sensations is the only centre in this list that’ll teach you the art and beauty that is Korean food. Waste no more time drooling over hour-long mukbang videos at home and learn how to expertly whip up some Jeons (Korean pancakes) for breakfast.
If you’re feeling adventurous, learn to make their quirky Coca-Cola flavoured chicken wings. The sugar in the Coca-Cola is meant to coat the chicken skin with a layer of caramelised goodness.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $130 – $350
Address: Chromos, #01-03, 10 Biopolis Road, Singapore 138670
Opening hours: Only open when there are classes
Contact: 6478 9746
Website
Image credit: Jia Lei Cooking School
Ah, home-cooked food. The emblem of childhood memories. Also the qualifying factor when it comes to impressing a potential mother-in-law.
At Jia Lei Cooking School, you can upgrade your basic Ban Mian by learning how to churn out different flavours of handmade noodles, from scratch. These flavours include carrot, pumpkin, beetroot and spinach, and will add a fun pop of colour to your dish.
Image credit: @calvinery
You can also learn to make Dim Sum, including tasty morsels of Siew Mai and the rich and indulgent salted egg yolk Liu Sha Bao.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $135 – $165
Address: Blk 269, Queen Street, #02-226, Singapore 180269
Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 10AM – 8.30PM | Sat – Sun: 10AM – 5PM (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6264 5751
Website
Note: Only the first 12 classes at Jia Lei’s are claimable by SkillsFuture credits. The 13th sign-up onwards will have to be paid for by cash, nets or credit card.
Image credit: SSA Culinary Institute
SSA Culinary Institute offers baking classes for confections like cakes such as a 7-hour Savoury Buns course, which will have you learning how to make Corn Bread with Custard, Black Pepper Chicken Buns, and Bacon Buns.
Image credit: SSA Culinary Institute
These buns can easily serve as a light meal for when you’re not too hungry, or as finger food for potluck parties.
How much you save: From $195
Address: 10 Arumugam Road, #01-00, Singapore 409957
Opening hours: 8.15AM-6PM, Daily
Telephone: 6632 9433
Website
Image credit: @beatriceleesn
All you romantics have probably fantasised about your dream wedding cake at one point or another. Whether you prefer edible mint green ribbons or ivory sculpted roses, the Cake Decoration Course at Creative Culinaire will teach you the necessary skills to decorate a 3-tiered cake.
Image credit: @estheryeohz
There’s even a sushi cake class that’ll transform your average chocolate cake into a lookalike platter of premium sashimi.
Basic sculpting techniques such as working with fondant sheets and gum pastes will be taught by Executive Chef Judy, so those with clumsy thumbs won’t have to worry about ruining your cake’s aesthetic.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $228 – $408
Address: 17 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 169767
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 9AM – 6PM (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 6324 1663
Website
Note: A $100 refundable deposit is required when you sign up for SkillsFuture approved courses.
Image credit: @yurreny
For those who prefer smaller sweet treats to indulgent and decadent cakes, Zan’s Treats specialises in making one-bite delectables that are lighter on your palate. All classes offered are Halal as well, so bring along a Muslim friend when you go down to visit!
Impress your friends with homemade agar jelly with encapsulated 3D flowers, or a mini tower of Pate a Choux puffs (French choux pastry puffs) and macarons.
Image credit: @the_gateau
And if you’re a diehard cake lover, opt for something a little different apart from regular cakes. Zan’s Treats has courses that’ll teach you how to make local confectioneries such as Malay spice cakes and roll cakes.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $149 – $187
Address: 15 Jalan Masjid, #01-01, D’Gallery, Singapore 418936
Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 10AM – 4PM | Sat – Sun: 10AM – 5PM (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 6910 2824
Website
Image credit: @gnyingwei
Butter & Bake’s most popular class, Make Me A Baker, is well-loved for a reason – their cartoon-themed sweets. Give your regular macarons and Choux au Craquelin (crunchy French cream puffs) a makeover by transforming them into adorable characters like Hello Kitty, Pikachu and even unicorns!
Image credit: @reenieho
Put a spin on artisan breads by learning to make flavoured soft breads here. The Shokupan (Japanese milk bread) and Melon Pan Bread are a lighter and fluffier alternative to the plain-old Sourdough breads.
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $180
Address: Blk 463, Crawford Lane, #02-21, Singapore 190463
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 11AM – 6PM (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: info@butterandbake.com.sg
Website
Note: A $50 refundable deposit is required when you sign up for SkillsFuture approved courses.
Image credit: @rinsweet_delights
Squeezing through the crowd with CNY songs blasting in your ears to fight for that last jar of pineapple tarts is no easy feat. At Asian Culinary Institute’s Chinese New Year Delights Course, you can learn how to make classic CNY treats and avoid the crowds during the festive season.
Pineapple Tarts and Sugee Cookies aside, you can also learn to make Japanese Sakura Cookies and even Durian Pastries. Sign up for their classes as soon as possible because vacancies tend to run out very quickly!
Find their courses here.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $161.03 ($69.02 after SSG subsidy)
Address: 11 Eunos Road 8, #03-01, Lifelong Learning Institute, Lift Lobby A, Singapore 408601
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 9AM – 6PM | Fri: 9AM – 5.30PM (Closed on weekends and public holidays)
Contact: 6417 3318
Website
Image credit: @bakersbrewstudio
As a young bakery, Baker’s Brew currently has one SkillsFuture-claimable course, The Basics Of Buttercream. Their regular cake courses that feature unique designs like Gudetama and Koi Bubble Tea lookalike cakes are widely popular too.
Usher in the Chinese New Year season with their CNY Special classes featuring the Mandarin Orange Chiffon Cake and Pineapple Tarts as well. Find their other courses here.
Image credit: @xtiechan
The luxurious gold-accented interiors with marble table tops scream atas, and will have you feeling like you’re in some patisserie in France. They even host events like pyjama parties for 21st birthdays.
Click here for their list of outlets and contacts.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $98 – $208
Website
Image credit: @shawn_chen1026
Your aspirations of becoming a true blue coffee connoisseur are not that far away. Apart from the regular brewing and roasting coffee classes, Bettr Barista Coffee Academy has a Sensory Course that will help you differentiate between various coffee types based on their scent.
Watch out, your transformation to a pro coffee-taster will make you more sensitive to coffee during future cafe-hopping sessions with your friends. Find their courses here.
Click here for their list of outlets and contacts.
How much you save with SkillsFuture: $480-856
Website
Instead of just being an expert instant noodle chef, use your SkillsFuture credits and learn to whip up some culinary masterpieces of your own – and get to tuck into some delicious nosh while at it.
Take down some notes and protips during classes so that you can recreate these recipes at home. And don’t forget to dabao some food back for your family and friends too!
No need to head to Japan or Korea, China has pretty blooms too 🌸
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