About Ian Kittichai
Award-winning chef, author and television personality of the Asian Food Channel “3 Chefs 1 City”, Ian Kittichai, has created a variety of restaurants, cookbooks, events and consultancies around the globe. He is most known for pushing the boundaries of cuisines and conventions, creating out-of-the-ordinary dishes through his unique approach to classic Thai flavors with varied cooking techniques.
Chef Pongtawat “Ian Kittichai” Chalermkittichai’s path to culinary success started from very humble beginnings in Bangkok, where as a child he would
Chef Pongtawat “Ian Kittichai” Chalermkittichai’s path to culinary success started from very humble beginnings in Bangkok, where as a child he would accompany his mother to the wet market to select the best meats, seafood, and vegetables for her neighborhood grocery. While Ian was at school, she would cook a dozen different types of curries, which Ian would sell from a cart to all his hungry neighbors.
After completing high school in Bangkok, Ian moved to London to study English with no intention of becoming a chef. Fate seemed to have other ideas though – while working part time at the Waldorf Hotel THF, the hotel chef saw something of great promise in young Ian. Before long, the hotel sponsored him to attend culinary school in London. He subsequently completed his culinary studies in Sydney, Australia and then spent his years of apprenticeship absorbing French fine dining cuisine at the famous Claude’s.
Ian decided to return to his homeland and work for the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok (formerly The Regent) as a Demi Chef. He quickly rose through the ranks while mastering various cuisines and winning acclaim in multiple international culinary competitions. His career path in the Four Seasons organization took him to culinary exchanges around the world where he was able to further perfect his talent and craft. At restaurants and hotels such as Georges V in Paris, French Laundry in Napa Valley, El Bulli in Spain, and Four Seasons Chinzan-so in Tokyo, Chef Kittichai was free to fully spread his culinary wings.
Now, Chef Kittichai owns a vast empire of restaurants, including his flagship restaurant, Issaya Siamese Club, which ranks No. 31 on 2014’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S. Pellegrino and Aqua Panna. Issaya Siamese Club is charmingly situated in the heart of Bangkok, serving traditional Thai cuisine with a modern twist.
Catch Ian Kittichai on the Asian Food Channel, “3 Chefs 1 City” premiering on Tuesday, 10 March 2015 at 9PM.
For more information about Chef Kittichai please go to www.iankittichai.com.