Basque Culinary Center welcomes Thai Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn, 'Chef Ton,' as a new member of its International Council.
Thitid Tassanakajohn, known as Chef Ton from Thailand, a member of the new generation of chefs, joins the International Council of the Basque Culinary Center. This council comprises some of the most influential and prominent chefs in the field, aiming to strengthen the institution's holistic vision and bring a fresh perspective to global gastronomy through Chef Ton's experience.
The future of the gastronomic sector calls for integrating talent that brings new values and priorities. The role of the International Council of the Basque Culinary Center is to provide strategic, current, and inclusive guidance to the institution while accelerating the impact gastronomy can have on society. In this context, the Basque Culinary Center wishes to acknowledge and include Chef Ton in its think tank. He is a leading figure in Asian cuisine, and his work has been recognized with the #1 ranking for Le Du Restaurant and #3 for Nusara Restaurant in the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023 list.
After studying culinary arts and working in restaurants in the United States, Chef Ton returned to his homeland with experiences and knowledge that he successfully applied to achieve his goal: elevating Thai cuisine and giving it a prominent place among the world's top cuisines. His unique and multidisciplinary vision will continue to connect different culinary realities and highlight the value of gastronomy.
The commitment and advisory work of the members of the International Council of the Basque Culinary Center provide an international perspective built on their wealth of experience. Presided over by Joan Roca, the council includes esteemed members such as Gastón Acurio, Massimo Bottura, Enrique Olvera, Trine Hahnemann, Dominique Crenn, Yoshihiro Narisawa, Manu Buffara, Mauro Colagreco, Pia León, Josh Niland, Narda Lepes, Elena Reygadas, and Michel Bras.
The International Council's activities include an annual meeting where renowned chefs and experts from various disciplines come together in a different city to identify challenges, stimulate discussions, and explore ways to advance the gastronomic sector from a Gastronomy360º perspective. In 2023, the Summit, held in June in Tokyo, marked the first participation of the new member. He attended the council's initial meeting and actively took part in the open public reflection session, as well as in the selection of the BCWP 2023 winner, Ebru Baybara.
Traditions in Motion – Tokyo 2023
Japanese values and culture have influenced professionals in all gastronomy-related fields. Therefore, the International Council of the Basque Culinary Center gathered once again in person during a Gastronomy summit held in Tokyo from June 4 to 8, titled "Traditions in Motion," led by Yoshihiro Narisawa. This event stirred thoughts, awareness, learning, alternative perspectives, and inspired those dedicated to gastronomy who seek to contribute by celebrating dialogue between cultures, the convergence of talents, and diverse approaches to experiencing cuisine in light of the societal transformations of today's world.
During this event, the new council member joined a group of committed chefs who address the realities affecting the sector and society at large, engaging in discussions and knowledge exchange.
About Thitid Tassanakajohn, Chef Ton (Thailand)
Growing up surrounded by delicious home-cooked meals, the flavors of Thitid's mother and grandmother significantly contributed to his passion for cooking. After completing his degree in Economics at Chulalongkorn University, he headed to the United States to pursue his culinary dreams at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Graduating at the top of his class, he went on to earn an MBA in Hospitality from Johnson & Wales University. During his time in New York, Thitid worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park, The Modern, and Jean Georges. His enthusiasm for both food and wine led him to become a Certified Sommelier (CS) with the revered Court of Master Sommeliers. Bringing back experiences and insights, he set out to elevate Thai cuisine and secure its place among the world's top culinary traditions.
Today, this young chef leads one of Bangkok's most exciting kitchens, Le Du (1 Michelin star and #1 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023) and Nusara (#3 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023), making him the only Thai chef with two restaurants on the prestigious Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list."