At the Nova Scotia Seafood Cooking School, hosted by the eco-friendly Trout Point Lodge, guests learn about preparing seafood in the French New World and Creole style. It's a desk-to-sea-to-table learning experience. First, you'll be taught how to cook the seafood, then you'll visit the area's esteemed seafood destinations, where you choose from fresh oysters, mussels and fish. Finally, it's time to cook—and, of course, dig in.

West of New Orleans, the spirited town of Lafayette sits in the heart of Louisiana's Cajun Country. You're just as likely to hear Cajun French as English in these part. It's also the place for robust dishes like jambalaya, boudin and gumbo. After dancing all night to Zydeco and Cajun music, guests collapse in a historic bed and breakfast. Cooking lessons are taught by Patrick Mould, an award-winning chef and cookbook author, and a leading authority on Cajun and Creole cuisine.

China Sports and Travel offers several cooking trips, including this 11-day tour that focuses on regional cuisine from Beijing, Suzhou and Shanghai. Expect in-depth instruction; one morning is dedicated to Peking duck, the national dish that dates back to either the Yuan and Ming dynasties, depending on whom you ask. On another tour, chefs have the rare opportunity to cook at one of the country's finest institutions, Beijing New East Cuisine School. Full-time students study for three years just to be admitted into the program, but you will be an honored guest.

Place yourself in the hands of the professionals at Viking (yes, the appliance people) and hone your skills with hands-on cooking lessons at the world-class Four Seasons Chiang Mai Cooking School and the Suan Dusit Cooking School in Bangkok. Prik bai horapa (fried fish with chili and basil), Buddhist temples and boat rides make this culinary voyage unique. Pad Thai on your lunch break will never be the same.