Andy Ricker facts for kids
Ricker in 2011
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| Born | 1963 (age 61–62) North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Cooking style | Thai cuisine |
Andy Ricker (born 1963) is an American chef and writer. He is famous for his amazing skill in making northern Thai cuisine. He has opened many restaurants and written books about Thai food.
Contents
Andy Ricker's Journey
Early Life and Cooking Start
Andy Ricker was born in North Carolina, U.S. When he was 16, he started working in a restaurant in Vermont. He began as a dishwasher, which means he washed dishes. After high school, he moved to Colorado and worked as a cook for over three years.
Travels and Learning About Food
Andy loved to travel and learn about food. He went backpacking around the world. He visited places like New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand. During his travels, he learned a lot about different kinds of cooking. He even worked in a famous restaurant in England that had a Michelin star.
He first visited Thailand in 1987. From 1992 onwards, he spent several months each year in Thailand. He did this to study Thai food culture very deeply. This helped him become an expert in Thai cooking.
Opening Pok Pok Restaurants
After his travels, Andy came back to the United States. In November 2005, he opened his first restaurant called Pok Pok in Portland, Oregon. This restaurant became very popular for its authentic Thai food. Over the years, he opened several other restaurants and bars. These included Ping and Whiskey Soda Lounge. All of his restaurants focused on delicious Thai dishes. Sadly, all of his Pok Pok restaurants closed in 2020. This happened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awards and Recognition
Andy Ricker and his restaurants have won many important awards. These awards show how good his food is.
- In 2007, his Pok Pok restaurant in Portland was named "Restaurant of the Year" by a newspaper called The Oregonian.
- In 2009, GQ Magazine said Pok Pok was one of the "Top Ten Best New Restaurants in America."
- In 2011, he won a James Beard Foundation Award. This is a very big award for chefs. He won "Best Chef, Northwest" for his work at Pok Pok.
- In 2014, he won two awards for an article he wrote about Thai curries. These were from the James Beard Foundation and the IACP.
- Also in 2014, his Pok Pok Ny restaurant in New York City received a star in the 2015 Michelin Guide. A Michelin star is a very high honor for a restaurant.
Books by Andy Ricker
Andy Ricker has also written several cookbooks. These books share his knowledge of Thai food with others.
- Pok Pok: Food and Stories from the Streets, Homes, and Roadside Restaurants of Thailand (2013)
- POK POK Noodles: Recipes from Thailand and Beyond (2019)
- Pok Pok: The Drinking Food of Thailand (2017)
Television Appearances
Andy Ricker has appeared on several television shows. He shared his love for Thai food with a wider audience.
- Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Brooklyn (November 2012)
- Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Thailand (June 2014)
- Farang, the story of chef Andy Ricker by VICE Films (July 2014)
- The Taste, Bring the Heat (January 2015)
- Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri (2018)
See also
- James Beard Foundation Award: 2010s
