A Thai Chef’s story: How our past defines our kitchen skills

Our pasts tend to define us – both in good and bad ways. And nothing is more telling of that than food – how we cook, create and consume.

Our memories connect us with what we create and in the case of Patthama Chaklang aka Chef New, Head Chef and Co-owner of Dubai-based Thai restaurant Café Isan, it is the earthy existence of a childhood spent on a farm in rural Thailand that have found echoes in her culinary journey of today.

She is vigorously pounding Thai red bird’s eye…. read the full interview and try out two of Chef New’s personal favourite recipes

By Rupkatha Bhowmick
Photos: Stefan Lindeque