Austin chef opens weekly online Thai cooking platform

Jam Sanitchat, a Thai chef based in Austin, will launch an online cooking platform called Jam's Thai Table on November 12. The site allows home cooks to watch instructional videos from any location. The initial library contains 18 videos, and the platform will add one new video every week.

Sanitchat has taught in-person cooking classes in Austin since 2004, the year she moved from Thailand. She began instructing before opening her restaurant, Thai Fresh. According to a press release, the popularity of those early classes led to the creation of the restaurant. She now operates both the restaurant and a nearby culinary school. More than 15,000 students have attended her in-person sessions, which often sell out quickly.

The new online platform features two types of video content. Weekly videos focus on a single dish and run between five and seven minutes. Monthly videos provide a deeper look at specific techniques and last about 15 minutes. The existing library includes recipes for pad ka prow, red curry, tom kha gai, Thai omelet, and khao soi. Other lessons cover pantry basics, how to make curry paste, and the differences between basil varieties.

The site will also host a live class every other month where students can ask questions directly. The first live session will teach viewers how to prepare a Thanksgiving dish. The menu for that class includes sticky-rice stuffing and pot roast. Sanitchat stated in a press release that the website offers skills and recipes she has not previously shared in her in-person classes.

Membership costs $7 per month or $70 per year. Founding members who sign up by November 19 will pay $45 per year and receive a spot in the first live class. New users can enter their email address on the website to access six free recipes for testing. Those interested in attending an in-person class can find details at thai-fresh.com.