The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    4 Chinese, 4 Russian military planes enter Korea's air defense zone without notice

  • 3

    'The Second Husband' co-stars to the tie knot, expecting child in real life

  • 5

    Egyptian national arrested for possession of cannabis cookie

  • 7

    Presidential office's plan to revamp TV viewing fees causes stir

  • 9

    Samsung family takes out stock loans to pay inheritance tax

  • 11

    Heart transplant recipients tie the knot

  • 13

    Incheon announces plans to become hub for overseas Koreans

  • 15

    S. Korea wins seat on UN Security Council for 2024-25

  • 17

    Controversy grows as fisheries ministry stresses safety of seafood, salt, beaches

  • 19

    Seoul Queer Culture Festival venue moved to Euljiro

  • 2

    Asiana Airlines pilots union to initiate mass flight delays

  • 4

    Korean food's global popularity leads to copycat products in China, Japan

  • 6

    'Dynamite' tops 1.7 bil. YouTube views to become most-watched BTS MV

  • 8

    ROK-US alliance is now nuclear-based: President Yoon

  • 10

    14 injured as escalator reverses at Sunae Station in Bundang

  • 12

    International Yoga Day to celebrate well-being of body, mind

  • 14

    Saudi mega-city project NEOM secures $5.6 bil. for workforce housing

  • 16

    JYP founder to work as guest commentator for NBA finals on Korean cable

  • 18

    Hyundai Motor, IKEA join hands to promote sustainable outdoor activities

  • 20

    JPMorgan chief meets with Korean financial leaders

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Thu, June 8, 2023 | 14:07
Travel & Food
Thai chefs hope to represent Asian cuisine on global stage
Posted : 2022-11-02 17:31
Updated : 2022-11-02 21:22
Kwak Yeon-soo
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
Chef Thitid 'Ton' Tassanakajohn, left, and Chef Pichaya 'Pam' Utharntharm of Thailand / Courtesy of S. Pellegrino
Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn, left, and Chef Pichaya "Pam" Utharntharm of Thailand / Courtesy of S. Pellegrino

By Kwak Yeon-soo

BANGKOK ― Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn and Pichaya "Pam" Utharntharm are the world's foremost Thai chefs who are reinterpreting classic Thai dishes. Both graduates of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), they returned to their homeland to create innovative Thai cuisines that use modern cooking techniques.

Chef Ton had worked in many Michelin-starred restaurants in New York, including Eleven Madison Park, The Modern and Jean Georges before opening his restaurant Le Du in Thailand nine years ago. Originated from Thai word meaning "season," Le Du is ranked No. 4 by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

Chef Pam trained at three-starred Jean-Georges restaurant in the U.S. She was selected in Forbes 30 Under 30 before becoming a judge of Top Chef Thailand, a cooking competition show. Her restaurant "Potong," which translates as "simple," serves imaginative Thai cuisine that focuses on seasonality and sustainability.

Recently, the two chefs participated in S. Pellegrino Young Chef Asia regional finals as jury members to search for their successors in representing Asia and bringing Asian cuisine to the world.

Below is an excerpt of The Korea Times interview with them. It has been edited for clarity and readability.

How do you feel about S. Pellegrino Young Chef Asia regional finals being held in Thailand?

Pam: I think it's very exciting that the event is held in Thailand this year. It brings a lot of young chefs to explore Thailand, Thai culture and Thai food.

Ton: This is a jumpstart for young chefs to get experience and attention in the culinary world. Back in the days when we were young chefs, we didn't have this kind of opportunity. So I want to tell young chefs, especially those in Thailand, to not be afraid and just out and show what they've got.

How has Thai culture and your heritage affected your cooking style?

Pam: My restaurant Potong is all about heritage. It's located in a 120-year-old building, which belongs to my ancestors who moved from China. We became Chinese-Thai. When I started running the restaurant, I told myself that this is the place I want to bring my heritage, use my techniques and create a cuisine that's never done before.

Ton: What we try to do is to modernize Thai food, but still keep the goodness of classic Thai cuisine. I think it's important for all the chefs in Thailand to remember that when they cook, they represent their own culture.

Chef Thitid 'Ton' Tassanakajohn, left, and Chef Pichaya 'Pam' Utharntharm of Thailand / Courtesy of S. Pellegrino
Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn, center in the judges' table, and Chef Pichaya "Pam" Utharntharm, left, listen to a contestant's speech during S. Pellegrino Young Chef Asia regional finals held in The Food School Bangkok, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Kwak Yeon-soo

Asia food is growing rapidly in the global market and Asian chefs are attracting a lot of attention nowadays. What are your thoughts on the impact of Asian food in the gastronomy market?

Ton: Asian food and culture is a worldwide sensation. In every corner around the world, you can find Asian restaurants, including Thai, Korean and Vietnamese … Restaurants use more and more Asian ingredients. I think it's a positive thing that more people from other parts of continents try to explore Asian food.

Social responsibility is an important value. How do you think the culinary world is evolving?

Pam: I'm concerned about "no waste" and I try to push toward sustainability. It's really hard to go 100 percent, but at least we try to not use plastics, use (ingredients from) local farmers and suppliers. Using humble ingredients and modern skills, we can create something special. Young chefs are learning that this kind of movement is very important to become a good chef. Also the customers appreciate that now, which is a good thing.

The two chefs also shared their fond memories of Korean food. "While studying at CIA, I lived in a house with Koreans (three Koreans and two Thai). My favorite Korean food is jjamppong (spicy seafood noodle soup). It's in my memory when I was in New York. Until today I miss that jjamppong dish," Pam said. Chef Ton said, "What I love the most is hanwoo (Korean beef). I love all kinds of Korean food like sundubu jjigae (spicy soft tofu stew), gomtang (beef soup), sundae (blood sausage) and Korean fried chicken."


Emailyeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Heart transplant recipients tie the knot Heart transplant recipients tie the knot
2Seoul Queer Culture Festival venue moved to Euljiro Seoul Queer Culture Festival venue moved to Euljiro
3Experts skeptical about effectiveness of S. Korea's UNSC seat to rein in NK Experts skeptical about effectiveness of S. Korea's UNSC seat to rein in NK
4Korea, Poland celebrate rollout of Warsaw's first FA-50 Korea, Poland celebrate rollout of Warsaw's first FA-50
5Samsung to unveil new foldable phones at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul Samsung to unveil new foldable phones at Galaxy Unpacked in Seoul
6Yido bridges East, West via fusion cuisine in crafted ceramics Yido bridges East, West via fusion cuisine in crafted ceramics
7Coupang, Baemin under pressure from radical labor groups Coupang, Baemin under pressure from radical labor groups
8Rise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agency Rise in temperatures, solar radiation by 2100 inevitable: weather agency
9Umbrella union boycotts negotiating body to protest labor crackdownUmbrella union boycotts negotiating body to protest labor crackdown
10Tax on domestic cars to be lowered in July Tax on domestic cars to be lowered in July
Top 5 Entertainment News
1Frieze Seoul unveils stronger lineup of Asian galleries for its second edition Frieze Seoul unveils stronger lineup of Asian galleries for its second edition
2'Leaving Las Vegas' director Mike Figgis puts Korea in spotlight in new film 'Leaving Las Vegas' director Mike Figgis puts Korea in spotlight in new film
3[REVIEW] 'The ODD Of LOVE' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists REVIEW'The ODD Of LOVE' concert: Taeyeon shows why she is among K-pop's top vocalists
4Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition Baritone Kim Tae-han wins Queen Elisabeth Competition
5Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation Busan Film Festival accepts director Huh Moon-yung's resignation
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group