Bangkok's Pam Soontornyanakij Is Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2024

Thailand gains another recognition, this time in the field of culinary, as Bangkok-based chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij is hailed as Asia’s Best Female Chef for 2024!

Chef Pam is a culinary expert and the chef-owner of Potong, one of Asia’s best restaurants in 2023. She is also a popular TV personality and one of Thailand’s most prominent names in the culinary industry. She is set to receive her award at the ceremony on March 26 in Seoul, South Korea.

Aside from Potong, Chef Pam also owns the multi-outlet restaurant Smoked in Bangkok. She also established The Table restaurant, which gained various nods from the media and local and regional gourmets.

Chef Pam is also an advocate of empowerment among female chefs, having a pivotal role at the Gastronauts Asia and Women in Gastronomy (WIG). She also runs a scholarship program with the American Women’s Club of Thailand that supports female students from the rural areas of the country who dream of becoming chefs, called “Women for Women.”

Commenting on her latest recognition, Chef Pam said in a press release that the award is not just for herself but for all aspiring chefs around the globe. “May this accolade inspire young female chefs to break barriers and ignite grand culinary dreams. I believe that with passion and dedication, anyone can carve their path to success,” she added.

The Asia’s Best Female Chef Award was voted for by 318 members of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. Previous winners include Singapore-based Filipina chef Johanne Siy (2023) and Japanese chef and restaurateur Natsuko Shoji (2022).