ToTT Cooking Class in Katong: Bring a Friend Free From S$128

ToTT, at 112 East Coast Road, #02-09/10, Singapore 428802, is a kitchenware store on the second floor of the i12 Katong mall with a working cooking studio behind its shelves of pans and knives. The class calendar runs almost every day, most hands-on sessions cost S$128 to S$178, and many are sold as 1-for-1: one person registers and pays, and a guest comes along free. That makes it one of the cheapest ways for two people to cook together in Singapore.

ToTT stands for Tools of the Trade, and the name explains the format. The store sells cookware and bakeware from its partner brands, and the studio uses that same equipment in class, so you can try a mixer, a wok or a cake tin before deciding whether to buy one. ToTT is marking its 16th anniversary this year with a run of special classes. A second ToTT store at Suntec City is retail only, so every class on the current calendar is held at i12 Katong.

On the class pages the offer is stated plainly: register for one and attend with a guest for free. The listed fee covers both of you. The Laksa and Hokkien Mee class on 16 November 2026, for example, costs S$138, or S$123 for ToTT members, and two people can cook for that price. Because pairs share a station, these classes are described as pair work, so it helps to come with someone you are happy to share a chopping board with.

The listings for late October and November 2026 cover far more than one cuisine. There is Lasagna 2 Ways on 27 October at S$128, The Ultimate Cheesecake Trio on 29 October at S$138 per person, and Nonya Heritage Butter Cakes on 30 October. Deepavali brings three Indian classes in early November, including Indian Favourites on 5 November at S$138. Cantonese Roast on 11 November costs S$158, and guest-chef sessions with KSD, such as The Middle Eastern Table on the same day, cost S$178. Halloween also gets its own class, Mummy & Frankenstein Macarons, on 30 October.

For a visitor, the classes built around Singapore and Peranakan food are the ones to look for. The Golden Pumpkin Cake class on 2 November is taught by Julie Yee, who grew up helping her Nonya grandmother make kueh for sale. It covers the batter, frying the aromatics, steaming and pan-frying the cake, and Julie's own spicy and sour chilli dip, and each person leaves with a seven-inch cake. The Laksa and Hokkien Mee class is taught by Michele Ow and makes two to three servings of each dish.

Every class follows the same pattern. The chef introduces the recipes and ingredients, demonstrates each dish, and then you cook it yourself, with tips and troubleshooting throughout. The fee includes the use of the studio's equipment, a ToTT apron, ingredients and a printed recipe. Classes are rated by difficulty, and many are marked Novice, which is the level to choose if you rarely cook. Most sessions last two to five hours, and the time is printed on each listing.

The rules are stricter than at many studios, so read them first. Eating is not allowed once the class ends, and you need to bring your own containers to take your food home. The studio has no waiting area, and only registered participants can come in. Wear closed shoes and casual clothes with little or no jewellery. You may be asked to share a workspace. A class is confirmed or cancelled three days before the date if the minimum number is not met, and in that case you can take a refund or move to another class of the same value.

ToTT runs a Junior Chef series priced for one parent and one child together. The Halloween Cupcake Class on 24 October costs S$118 for the pair, A Taste of Austria on 31 October costs S$168, and the Sushi Roll Cake class on 6 November costs S$118. There is also a short parent-and-child cooking demo with partner brands on 15 November for S$15. These are a good option if you are travelling as a family and want a morning indoors out of the heat.

Book online through the class page and pay at the time of booking. If you hold a ToTT hands-on class voucher, the class pages say you need to email the studio to register rather than book online, and some classes cannot be redeemed with vouchers. Members get S$15 off most classes using a class credit, which adds up if you plan to come back for a series. If you have a question about a class, the events and classes line is staffed on weekdays during office hours, and there is a WhatsApp Business number for messages.

i12 Katong sits at the junction where East Coast Road meets Joo Chiat Road, in one of the most walkable heritage districts in Singapore. After class, walk up Joo Chiat Road and turn into Koon Seng Road to see its brightly painted Peranakan terrace houses, which are the most photographed shophouses on the east side. Back on East Coast Road, Katong Antique House is a small private museum of Peranakan objects. If you still have room, the stretch around the junction is known for Katong laksa, which makes a useful comparison with the bowl you just cooked.

ToTT, 112 East Coast Road, #02-09/10, Singapore 428802, inside i12 Katong. Store hours: Monday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday 11 am to 10 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10 pm, Sunday 10 am to 9 pm. Most hands-on classes cost S$128 to S$178, and 1-for-1 classes admit a guest free. Bring containers; no eating after class.