Chef McDang

Nahm restaurant was open 6 – 7 months ago with much fan fair and some problems. The restaurant is the creation of Australian chef David Thompson who had written “Thai Food.” (It was a Thai cook book, almost like a dictionary of Thai cuisine, the first of its kind; You know the one with the pink cover.) Not too many Thais took notice of this when the book came out and didn’t realize it was an Australian Chef who had written the book to claim the beachhead of authority on Thai cuisine since the book was in English and most Thais don’t read anyways. Thais perceived that our eating culture is only an art and no science is involved and are very content to allow Westerners to represent our culinary heritage. The only time that Thais took notice of David Thompson was when this restaurant was opened in bangkok, Continue reading ““Nahm Restaurant” at the Metropolitan Bangkok” »

Like most restaurants in Bangkok, I have great relations with them, and when the Rib Room and Bar invited me to their 4th anniversary Dinner at the Landmark Hotel on November 19th, I was devastated because I would not be here for it. Instead I would be in Hong Kong to work and cook dinner for JP Morgan’s clients as well as promote my book “The Principles of Thai Cookery.” However, they were so kind as to offer a preview of what the menu that night was and so a date was set for me and some friends to go taste the food and make comments for the chefs. So hopefully I am going to break the night’s events down by the menu.

Continue reading “The Rib Room & Bar’s 4th Anniversary on the 19th of November” »

I am sure everyone knows where Samui Island is but I am also sure that few people know that Samui Island is in the province of Surat Thani. In the olden days before you can fly to Samui by Bangkok Airways, everyone has to come to the city of Surat Thani first. Most people will spend one night in Surat Thani and get up really early the next morning to catch the ferry which, these days, takes only just under two hours to get to Samui. The city of Surat Thani was and has never been a tourist destination. It was just a short stop over for Samui. I always make Surat Thani my destination not just a stop- over. This city is a one of the largest center for shrimp farming in Thailand. It is known for fresh seafood especially oysters, crab etc. I have been coming here for over 10 years and have grown to love its people, its culture and its cuisine. Continue reading “Wang Tai Hotel, Surathani” »