For local cooking classes, you can’t go past WEA Illawarra. Operating continuously since 1913, WEA is an independent, community-based not-for-profit offering adult education and leisure courses at affordable prices.

Natchanok (Natalie) Siriteerajads runs Thai cooking classes at the WEA centre in Auburn Street, Wollongong. Natalie has been with WEA for 13 years, beginning when the classes were held at Cedars Christian College. WEA cooking classes are now held in a purpose-built teaching kitchen next to the centre in Auburn St.

Natalie came to Wollongong from Thailand in 2000 to study at the University of Wollongong. After she completed her Masters in International Business, she returned to Thailand where she met her Australian husband. They moved back to Australia and Natalie gave birth to her daughter.

Besides teaching Thai cooking classes and raising a daughter, Natalie works several days a week as an early childhood educator. She waitresses at night at two Illawarra Thai restaurants because “I like talking to people” and spends Tuesdays at the Buddhist monastery in Wilton, Bodhisaddha, cooking for the monks.

I joined a group of five keen amateur cooks for the Thai noodles class. Natalie demonstrated each noodle dish (Pad Thai, Pad See Ew and Pad Kee Moa), revealing secrets of Thai ingredients and combinations as she cooked. We tasted the freshly prepared meals and were then let loose to cook our own versions. By following the detailed recipes and with personal tuition, we ended up with very good results. We filled our containers with our noodle dishes to share with family and friends, because there was a lot!

Natalie teaches two or three Thai cooking classes at WEA Illawarra per term. Look out for the classes during Term 4 – Thai Noodle dishes and Tasty Thai Curries.