Exotic cooking lessons spice up a trip

It isn't just the Delhi Belly cooking school's tongue-in-cheek name that appeals to epicureans. For a growing number of galloping gourmets, learning to cook Tom Yum in Thailand, Cha Gio in Vietnam and Malai Kofta in India is the only way to go.

Learning authentic recipes in the country of origin is, says Intrepid Travel's alternative adventure manager, Sue Elliot, one of the fastest-growing travel trends of the past three years.

Intrepid offers independent and group travellers five culinary adventures: the Chiang Mai Cooking School (five days from $510), the Vietnam Gourmet Traveller (15 days from $2510), A Taste of Vietnam (six days from $1195), the Delhi Belly Cooking School (four days from $850) and Malay, Indian or Chinese Cooking Lesson in a Sarawak home ($80 for half a day).

Contact: 0800 174 043 for details.