Michelin chefs gathered for a two-day forum called “Chef’s Talk” on Ko Samui, in Southern Thailand. The event aimed to boost the tourism industry, focusing on culinary and hospitality sectors in the region. The event followed the announcement of the upcoming edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand, which will expand its coverage to Ko Samui and Surat Thani. The chefs shared best practices on placing sustainability on the menu, including restaurant management guidelines, food and service standards, and current trends to cater to customers’ demands.
The Michelin Guide Thailand 2024 edition will cover several regions, including Bangkok, Phuket, Phang-nga, Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya, Isan, and Koh Samui, and Surat Thani mainland. The 2022 edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand has already led to an increase of 223.34 million Baht in food spending by foreign tourists, according to research by Kenetixs Consulting. Previous studies have also found that the Michelin Guide Thailand, from 2017 to 2020, has generated approximately 842.4 million Baht in added economic value from food spending by foreign tourists. The guide has also created 4,800 additional jobs in the food-related sector and attracted more foreign chefs to work and invest in fine dining in Thailand.
The event highlighted Thailand’s direction towards sustainable gastronomy and the culinary potential of Ko Samui and Surat Thani, which are known for their distinctive local flavors and culinary traditions. The organizers hope that the event will help shape the supply in the tourism industry, emphasizing sustainability, and elevate the culinary and hospitality sectors in the region.
