By Claire Methven (City Weekend)
Updated: 2008-01-03 10:26

When the time comes for Shanghai expats to pack their bags and head for home, there is something that even the hardest heart regrets leaving behind–the food. For foodies, surviving without daily helpings of qingjiao niurou and xiaolongbao is cause for utter dismay. So why try to? The Chinese Cooking Workshop has come to the rescue, holding classes that will help you recreate Chinese culinary treats in your own kitchen.

CCW's kitchens in Pudong and Puxi host two lessons weekly, covering dim sum and wok cooking along with other popular cuisines such as Thai and Japanese. "Our classes are ideal for foreigners because of our standard of English," Chef Huang Huazheng says. "In other classes, the chefs can only show you what to do, not talk to you about the ingredients. Success in the kitchen relies on understanding what you are working with," he explains. "To be a good Chinese cook you must learn the science behind it. Everything is done for a reason."

The small class size (three to eleven people) contributes to a relaxed and informal atmosphere, encouraging questions on everything from the best food markets to Chinese cooking vocabulary. Huang chats about dining culture enthusiastically as we prepare and manages to discuss possibilities for vegetarian xiaolongbao without a hint of despair. He encourages the students to remember the four primary features of good cooking–se, xiang, wei, xing (color, smell, taste, shape)–whenever they set foot in the kitchen. Two or three dishes are prepared within each two-hour class. On our visit, three Sichuan favorites–pork with spicy peppers, homestyle tofu, and Chengdu soup–are on the menu. They certainly satisfy on the 'wei'-front and it quickly becomes clear that every good intention to dabao the goodies will escape out of the window with the wok smoke once you take a nibble.

For those wishing to rave about their new cooking skills, the affiliated Chinese Conversation Club is at hand, offering discounted rates to CCW members. Participants at the Conversation Club's venue on Dongping Lu can expect a one or two-hour class working with a partner at their own pace. Native Chinese instructors are at hand to advise learners and prod cheaters into using as much Chinese as possible. Forget the ornamental chopsticks, with your new kitchen and speaking talents you will be taking home a much longer-lasting souvenir.

What: Chinese Cooking Workshop
Email: cookingworkshop@gmail.com
What: Chinese Conversation Club
Email: shuozhongwen@gmail.com