Can Thai Food Compete in Fine Dining?
We visit a restaurant who's doing just that
Sawaddee Ka 🙏🏼
A very special episode of Hot Thai Kitchen just dropped and I’m so excited about it. Here’s some context:
When I arrived in Canada 20 years ago, the only kind of Thai food here was what one might call “cheap and cheerful.” That’s still mostly the case today, but things have been changing.
In the past decade I’ve seen an expansion of Thai restaurants into the “casual fine dining” space, especially in big cities. These are places with pricier offerings that use better ingredients, more thoughtful presentation, and a nice wine list, but the vibe is still quite relaxed and casual. Notable ones I’ve been to are Kiin in Toronto, and Nari in San Francisco.
But the ultra-luxurious restaurants, ones with 3-digit prix-fixe menus, servers in blazers and gloves, and a dedicated stool for your purse (which I always appreciate) - Thai food isn’t really a part of that yet…until now.
Chef Nutcha of Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine is trying to change that. She’s a nurse-turned-chef whose vision is to show the world that Thai food can be as elegant and luxurious as any out there.
For this special episode of Hot Thai Kitchen, we got a chance to go behind the scenes into Chef Nutcha’s kitchen to see her work her magic:
I look forward to the day that Thai restaurants overseas will no longer be stereotyped as “cheap,” and the word “Thai food” will come with as much elegance and respect as any Western cuisine!
Thanks for opening my eyes to what fine dining in Thai cuisine is , I was impressed at what Chef Nutcha created as I have never seen that before. I have always enjoyed Thai cuisine and its use of spices and herbs and to me that was wonderful, and I never imagined anything like what you exposed me to, so thank you for showing me what next level is.
I have lived on four continents and would never call Thai food cheap food. That’s insulting. Some of the best food I have ever eaten has been enjoyed in the unpretentious smaller eateries and food stalls or trucks. I have eaten at expensive restaurants as well and have enjoyed the experience but tweezed food is lost on me and after all, it is ALL about the taste. Awaken your taste buds!