Is there another restaurant with almost 400 items on the menu? If so, is there another restaurant that has been in the same Soi for 30 years? And is there another restaurant where the 79 year old chef (Somsak himself) cooks certain dishes for you at the table with a running commentary? There is not, other than Somsakdi’s (AKA Somsak’s). The tale of Somsak is one of a long and arduous apprenticeship. He began his working life as a delivery boy for Pepsi at B. 450 a month. A turning point was to come in his life after just a few months of pushing Pepsi wheel barrows. He met famous restaurateur Dolf Riks, who advised him that if he were to achieve his aim of being his own boss, he should go to the kitchens. This he did, and traveled the world in sea-going galleys, bringing back not postcards, but recipes from different parts of the world. He worked with famous cooks such as Moogens Bay Esbensen, at the renowned Two Vikings Restaurant in Bangkok. Finally he came to Pattaya and … [Read more...] about Somsakdi’s – the long lasting restaurant
Restaurants
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: Why we should look beyond controversy
Awards usually come with controversy. There will always be people who will dispute and doubt the win and/or the process. The sixth staging of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, at the Grand Theater of the Wynn Palace in Macau last March 27 again raised questions and some eyebrows. However, the chefs being given recognition apparently know better and prefer not to be affected by issues. Instead, they focus on the value of such an undertaking in the restaurant industry. “Being awarded the best in anything related to gastronomy is very subjective so I choose not to focus on a label or title, but instead on what it can do for the Thai culinary scene,” says Paste Restaurant’s chef Bongkoch “Bee” Satongun, who was named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2018. “I was not expecting this award at all so it came as tremendous shock. But I’m tremendously happy with the exposure it gives Thai cuisine, Thailand and … [Read more...] about Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: Why we should look beyond controversy
Why a list such as Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants matters
At the Wynn Hotel in Macau, where chefs and restaurateurs have gathered with food journalists and bloggers from the world over, the air is full of whispers, with sly winks and nudges all around. At one table, journalists are arguing why Gaggan, the exuberant chef of the eponymous restaurant in Bangkok, can’t get voted as Asia’s Top Restaurant again. There are conspiracy theories on why Restaurant Andre really closed—and speculation on whether or not the judges of the awards will include him on the list even as he has just closed his signature restaurant in Singapore. By the time this article comes out, the winners of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will have been announced, the list released, and the same journalists will fly home ready to transcribe fresh interviews with the significant winners. The dissection and discussion will continue in print, online and in social media. And there will be the usual accusations that the list is biased, commercialized, a big … [Read more...] about Why a list such as Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants matters
Temasek stake values ‘Salt Bae’ Turkish restaurant owner at $1.2 billion
ISTANBUL—Singapore’s Temasek and Britain’s Metric Capital have bought into Nusr-Et steakhouse owner D.ream in a deal valuing the Turkish firm at $1.2 billion. Nusr-Et was made famous by butcher-turned-social media star Nusret Gokce, who went viral under the nickname “Salt Bae” in 2017 after posting videos of himself salting meat. Salt Bae‘s distinctive cobra-like manoeuvre earned Gokce more than 12 million Instagram followers and has helped launch Nusr-Et restaurants in the Middle East, New York and Miami. Dogus Restaurant Entertainment and Management (D.ream), which has a presence in 170 locations in 12 countries, said on Monday state-owned Temasek Holding and Metric Capital had paid $200 million for a 17 percent holding. … [Read more...] about Temasek stake values ‘Salt Bae’ Turkish restaurant owner at $1.2 billion
Temasek stake values ‘Salt Bae’ Turkish restaurant owner at $1.6 billion
ISTANBUL - Singapore's Temasek and Britain's Metric Capital have bought into Nusr-Et steakhouse owner D.ream in a deal valuing the Turkish firm at $1.2 billion (S$1.6 billion). Nusr-Et was made famous by butcher-turned-social media star Nusret Gokce, who went viral under the nickname "Salt Bae" in 2017 after posting videos of himself salting meat. Salt Bae's distinctive cobra-like manoeuver earned Gokce more than 12 million Instagram followers and has helped launch Nusr-Et restaurants in the Middle East, New York and Miami. Ottoman steak pic.twitter.com/gXynE52EQE— Nusret #saltbae (@nusr_ett) January 7, 2017 Dogus Restaurant Entertainment and Management, which has a presence in 170 locations in 12 countries, said on Monday state-owned Temasek Holding and Metric Capital had paid US$200 million for a 17 per cent holding. news POST Purchase this article for republication. … [Read more...] about Temasek stake values ‘Salt Bae’ Turkish restaurant owner at $1.6 billion