In a dazzling showcase of culinary prowess, female chefs took center stage at the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 Star Revelation ceremony. Baan Tepa and Gaa, led by Chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam and Chef Garima Arora, respectively, emerged as stars, each earning an additional MICHELIN star.
Both Baan Tepa and Gaa ascended from the One MICHELIN star rating, joining an elite group of five other top-tier restaurants in Thailand, including Sorn, Mezzaluna, R-HAAN, Chef’s Table, Suhring, and Sorn.
Baan Tepa, under Chef Tam’s guidance, adopts a farm-to-table philosophy, offering a contemporary Thai tasting menu with meticulously crafted, detailed cooking. Chef Tam also claimed the prestigious 2024 MICHELIN Young Chef Award, a testament to her exceptional talent and promising future.
Expressing her surprise, Chef Tam remarked, “This is truly unexpected and the best surprise. It’s incredible. The team at Baan Tepa has been so focused on our mission to be better in every way. And for MICHELIN inspectors to recognize us in this way is amazing.”
Meanwhile, Gaa, curated by Chef Garima Arora, seamlessly blends traditional Indian cuisine with modern techniques and presentation. The restaurant stands as one of only two Indian establishments globally holding two Michelin stars.
Chef Arora, elated by the recognition, stated, “I couldn’t ask for better validation than this.” Gaa’s offerings feature assured, skillful dishes highlighted by finely judged spicing and contrasts in texture and temperature.
The MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024 also welcomed six new One MICHELIN star entries in Bangkok, further solidifying Thailand’s position as a culinary destination. These included INDDEE, NAWA, Samrub Samrub Thai, Mia, Resonance, and Wana Yook, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Thailand’s gastronomic landscape.
PRU, located outside Bangkok at Trisara in Phuket, retained its One MICHELIN star and MICHELIN Green Star for its commitment to sustainability under the helm of Dutch chef Jimmy Ophorst. Other MICHELIN Green Star winners included JAMPA in Phuket, Haoma in Bangkok, and J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain.
The 2024 MICHELIN Guide features 447 entries for Thailand, an increase from the 2023 edition, with extended coverage now encompassing Koh Samui and Surat Thani. The recently revealed Bib Gourmand List includes 196 Bib Gourmand and 216 MICHELIN Selected entries, introducing 23 new additions from Koh Samui and Surat Thani, the newly covered territories.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides, praised the vibrant culinary scenes of Koh Samui and Surat Thani, emphasizing their diverse contributions to the guide’s restaurant selection. He stated, “The 2024 edition of The MICHELIN Guide Thailand highlights not only these exceptional culinary experiences but also the latest trends in the country’s culinary world.”
Despite initial skepticism over the government’s substantial investment in the yearly guide, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the newly appointed governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, affirmed its positive impact.
She asserted, “Michelin is putting Thailand into the spotlight as an international gastronomic destination, and the country’s restaurant scene is thriving and flourishing consequently. We are sure that dining in any of the restaurants in the newly launched guide will enhance visitors’ enjoyment of visiting Thailand.”