So, what brought you to Abu Dhabi?
At a time when they were opening the first Royal Orchid, the owner went on recruiting trips to the Far East. This was where I joined and I have been with them for seven years now.
Where do you find your ingredients?
I bring in special sauces from Thailand, herbs, noodles, fruits, coconut milk, pickled garlic…
What makes Thai cuisine special?
When cooking Thai cuisine the flavours are just mouthwatering. Its power comes from the variety of sauces – anywhere from mild to extra hot – basically you’ve got your five tastebuds catered to and the flavours are so intense.
How did you start out?
There is a strong tradition of cooking in my family; my big brother was a Chinese chef, and in many ways he was my first mentor. From an early age I started getting involved in the kitchen, so I continued my interest and turned it into my profession. Throughout the years I have been exposed to various chefs skilled in Thai and Chinese cuisine.
What was the best advice you ever received?
From my brother: ‘Cooking comes straight from the heart’. He gave me advice that cooking is an artform and that this needs to be reproduced on the plate.
But you started out as a Chinese chef, didn’t you?
Yes, it’s funny. I started off training under a Chinese chef, but eventually came to specialise in Thai cuisine after I went to Bangkok and trained under a Thai chef.
So what is the main difference between Thai and Chinese cuisine?
To begin with, the level of spiciness is difference. Thai food is traditionally more intense than Chinese food. The methods of cooking also differ. In Chinese food you have a lot of fried, deep-fried and pan-fried cooking, but in Thai it is mostly done lightly in a wok. You just throw the ingredients in, turn that high blaze wok up and it’s cooked very quickly.
Do you have any tips for cooking Thai food at home?
It comes down to the basic matter of having the authentic ingredients. Unless you have these, then you’re just going to be substituting genuine flavours for local ingredients, and you’re not going to get the results.
Royal Orchid, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 3883). Open 12 noon-3.30pm, 7pm-12 midnight daily.
