Why does Bangkok have so many high end restaurants?

The first thing you need to forget when in Bangkok is counting calories. It is one city in the world where pigging out is absolutely necessary. Bangkok is, and always has been, a strong contender in the international culinary scene. So, it’s better to give in and just get bigger pants when you’re on a food trail there.

Giving a glimpse of the amazing food scene in the Thai capital is Taste Bangkok, a Life Inspired Original Series that focuses on the vibrant flavours and diverse cuisines in one of Asia’s leading culinary hub.

“Bangkok is geographically and culturally blessed, giving it a nice mix of all of South-East Asia and a little bit of Western influences. People mistakenly think that Thai cuisine is generally made up of street food and tom yum goong – which it is and another million things,” said Taste Bangkok host Ananda Everingham in an e-mail interview.

“But I do love Bangkok’s street food and all I can say is, don’t miss it. I grew up in Bangkok so street food is in my DNA. But there’s more to Thai food than just street food.”

The two-episode travelogue follows the actor as he embarks on an epic restaurant trail in the city he calls home. From traditional Thai cuisine at Bangkok’s top restaurants like Nahm, to progressive Thai cuisine at Issaya Siamese Club, Everingham visits 22 top restaurants in the city.

Nahms chef David Thompson (left) surprised Everingham with his Thai-ness, doing the interview mostly in Thai.

The host speaks to the respective restaurateurs/award-winning chefs about their culinary aspirations and inspirations in Bangkok.

“I am a foodie, but I don’t cook – unless cooking eggs count because I do make mean scrambled eggs. So speaking to the chefs and people behind the restaurants was a real eye-opener.

“I find David Thompson of Nahm to be a really fascinating person, beside being a top chef. He’s incredibly well-versed and insightful when talking about Thai food. But what surprised me the most was how Thai he is … we spent most of the interview speaking in Thai,” said Everingham.

The show attempts to chart the evolution of Thai cuisine from its traditional and regional roots to the modern interpretations that will influence future trends.

“Thai food is so diverse that it’s hard to find one place that best represents it as a whole,” he said.

Chef Olivier Limousin (left) of LAtelier de Joël Robuchon sharing a few insightful tips with Everingham.

“If you’ve been here long enough, you’ll have your favourite noodle stall, favourite grilled chicken, som tam and sticky rice places, favourite Northern dish, favourite Southern dish, and so on,” he said.

“The best place to visit when you’re indecisive is one of the numerous ‘khao tom’ (literally translates to ‘boiled rice’) joints around town. They usually open into the wee hours and serve just about anything you desire.”

Everingham also trails Bangkok’s growing trend of international cuisine from world-acclaimed chefs choosing to live and cook in Bangkok, resulting in truly unique hybrid restaurants that are redefining the dining culture.

“There has always been an eclectic mix of international cuisines in Thailand but recently there has definitely been an influx of trendier and higher-end places in Bangkok,” said Everingham.

Everingham visits Gaggan Anand of modern fusion outfit Gaggan, voted not only Bangkok’s best restaurant, but Asia’s best, for two years running now.

The host speaks to the culinary maestros behind award-winning fine dining restaurants like L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Gaggan, which won Asia’s Best Restaurant award for two consecutive years.

Everingham said that he cherishes the opportunity to mingle with the top chefs in Bangkok, understanding their methods, background and inspiration that brought them into the industry.

“You’ll be surprised to hear some of the crazy stories they have from their time in the kitchen.”

Everingham hopes that Taste Bangkok will give its viewers a chance to see Bangkok’s passion for food through a well-crafted and entertaining show.

Even the host picked up new things about Thai cuisine when filming the travelogue.

“I learned about how diverse Thai food is and how little I know about it. There is so much more to explore. As of now, there is so much to try in town that I attempt to eat at a new place every week. With the Internet it’s become easy to find all the recommended places,” he said.

“So I tell you to fly into Bangkok, make a friend and see where you end up for a meal. You never know, it may turn out to be the most memorable meal you’ll ever have.”

Source : Star2.com