Chef David Thompson is an Australian chef whose cuisine is based on his long lasting love affair with Thai food, which began after an impromptu visit, twenty six years ago.
During that initial visit, chef David Thompson was introduced to an elderly woman named Khun Sombat Janphetchara who, chef Thompson explains, “shared her knowledge and completely transformed my understanding of the cuisine.”
After being taught the fundamentals of Thai cookery, David set about refining his skills before returning o Sydney in 1991 to open his first award-winning restaurant – Darley Street Thai, voted as ‘Best Thai Restaurant’ byThe Sydney Morning Herald, eight years in a row.
David followed up in 1995 with Sailors’ Thai, a less formal but equally successful restaurant set in The Rocks. Five years later, after being named ‘Professional of the Year’ inThe Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guideawards for 2000, David returned to Bangkok and set about working on his first cookbook –Thai Food.
Launched in late 2001, chef David Thompson then opened his Thai restaurant, nahm, at The Halkin, in the inner-city London suburb of Belgravia. Nahm picked up a Michelin star within six months and led to chef Thompson being bestowed with the title ‘London Chef of the Year’ at the 2003 Carlton London restaurant Awards.
Keen to spend more time in Bangkok, David opened his second nahm restaurant at The Metropolitan hotel in September 2010. With a menu as elegant and accessible as the setting, nahm Bangkok instantly attracted rave reviews and in May 2012 was included in San Pellegrino’s prestigious ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list.
After publishing his second book –Thai Street Food–in 2010, David started conjuring up plans for a new restaurant in Hong Kong, which is slated to open in late 2013. He is also currently working on a television series for the ABC.
- 1Michelin Star
- ‘Best Thai Restaurant’,The Sydney Morning Herald
- ‘Professional of the Year’ inThe Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide,2000
- ‘London Chef of the Year’,Carlton London Restaurant Awards, 2003
- #1 | Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, 2014
Ground floor
Metropolitan Hotel
27 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120
+66 2 625 3388