Local cuisine, global appeal

CULINARY MASTER

- PICHAYA SOONTORNYANAKIJ

After becoming the first Asian and Thai female chef to be named World's Best Female Chef last year and becoming Asia's Best Female Chef in 2024, Chef Pichaya "Pam" Soontornyanakij has been chosen as one of the Bangkok Post's Women of The Year 2026.

Chef Pam is chef-patron of the Michelin-starred Potong, which is No.13 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list and No.57 on the World's 50 Best Restaurants 2024 list.

"As a Thai, I feel proud that I'm able to bring the words of Thai food, the words of Thailand and Thai cuisine to the world stage, and hopefully to take true Thai flavours around the world with me, and not just the common dishes. I want to show the world that Thai cuisine has so many sub-cuisines and we have a deep culinary history. Even our produce is amazing all year round," Chef Pam told the Bangkok Post.

Chef Pam spent her formative years in Bangkok, refining her skills at the Culinary Institute of America and a stint at New York's Jean-Georges restaurant.

When she returned to Thailand, she established The Table, a private dining experience that gained recognition from local and regional gourmands.

When Potong opened in 2021, Chef Pam returned to her roots, bringing her Chinese-Thai heritage to the forefront.