David Thompson (chef) facts for kids
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David Thompson addresses a plenary session at the Oxford Symposium on Food and Cookery, 2012
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| Born | Sydney, Australia |
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| Cooking style | Thai cuisine |
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Current restaurant(s)
Long Chim Perth, Aaharn Hong Kong, Aksorn Bangkok, Chop Chop Cook Shop
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Previous restaurant(s)
Darley Street Thai, Sailor’s Thai, Nahm London, Nahm Bangkok, Long Chim Singapore, Long Chim Melbourne, Long Chim Seoul, Long Chim Sydney
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David Thompson is an Australian chef who is famous for cooking amazing Thai food. His restaurant, Nahm, opened in London in 2001. It was the first Thai restaurant ever to win a special award called a Michelin star. A Michelin star is like a gold medal for restaurants, showing they have really excellent food. Later, his Nahm restaurant in Bangkok was named one of the world's 50 best restaurants for seven years in a row!
Contents
David's Cooking Journey
Learning About Thai Food
When David was in his twenties, he visited Thailand. He loved the food so much that he moved there! For two and a half years, he learned the language and studied Thai cooking. He wanted to understand everything about it.
After returning to Australia, he opened his first restaurant, Darley Street Thai, in Sydney in 1992. Then came Sailors Thai in 1995. His restaurants became very popular. A hotel owner named Christina Ong noticed his talent. She asked him to open a restaurant in one of her fancy hotels.
Nahm: A Star is Born
So, in 2001, Nahm opened in London. It quickly earned a Michelin star in just six months. This was a huge deal because it was the first Thai restaurant ever to get this award! In 2003, David won the "London Chef of the Year" award. Many food writers said he completely changed how people saw Thai food in the UK. He made it exciting and new.
In 2010, David opened a second Nahm restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand. In 2012, he closed the London Nahm to focus on the Bangkok one. This was a great choice! In 2014, Nahm Bangkok was named Asia's best restaurant. It stayed on the list of the world's 50 best restaurants for seven years straight. When the Michelin Guide came to Thailand in 2017, Nahm Bangkok earned a Michelin star too.
New Adventures and Awards
In 2014, David started a food group called Aylmer Aaharn Thai. This group helped manage his restaurants in six different countries. He also cooked at the first Wonderfruit festival in Thailand, which is a big event.
In 2015, David was interviewed on a TV show called High Flyers. He also started a chain of more casual Thai restaurants called Long Chim. The first ones opened in Singapore and Perth. More Long Chim restaurants followed in Sydney (2016), Melbourne (2017), and Seoul (2018). Some of these locations later closed.
In 2016, David received a special "Lifetime Achievement Award." This award recognized his amazing dedication to Thai cooking. In 2018, he left Nahm Bangkok and opened a new Thai restaurant called Aaharn in Hong Kong. In 2023, David opened Chop Chop Cook Shop in Bangkok.
Books by David Thompson
David Thompson has also written three cookbooks. His first book, Classic Thai Cuisine, came out in 1993. In 2002, he released Thai Food. This book was a very detailed look at Thai cooking, including its history and many recipes. His third book, Thai Street Food, shares 100 of his favorite street food recipes.
Images for kids
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David Thompson speaking at a food event.
