Photos: Michelin star boosts streetside Thai chef to stardom | Hindustan Times
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Photos: Michelin star boosts streetside Thai chef to stardom

Updated On Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

The first-ever edition of the Michelin food guide to Thailand features 17-Bangkok venues, but only one among them is in an unassuming outdoor kitchen called Jai Fay, where Supinya Jansuta, a wok-wielding Thai chef cooks up meals worth queuing up several hours just to be seated.

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After spending more than three decades cooking in an unassuming outdoor kitchen, wok-wielding, goggles-wearing Thai chef Supinya Jansuta has been propelled to international culinary stardom by having her restaurant ‘Jay Fai’ awarded a Michelin star. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

After spending more than three decades cooking in an unassuming outdoor kitchen, wok-wielding, goggles-wearing Thai chef Supinya Jansuta has been propelled to international culinary stardom by having her restaurant ‘Jay Fai’ awarded a Michelin star. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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Jay Fai, as she is popularly known, is among 17 Bangkok-based chefs whose venues received coveted Michelin honours in the guidebook last month — its first foray into Thailand. Her restaurant is often featured in foreign travel guides but is mostly shunned by Thais for its high prices of what is generally considered cheap local food. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

Jay Fai, as she is popularly known, is among 17 Bangkok-based chefs whose venues received coveted Michelin honours in the guidebook last month — its first foray into Thailand. Her restaurant is often featured in foreign travel guides but is mostly shunned by Thais for its high prices of what is generally considered cheap local food. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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“This is an old classic hole-in-the wall place which charges 800-1,000 baht ($24-31) for its famous crab omelet, nowhere near street-food prices. But when you cut that thing open, it’s literally bursting with the freshest crab in the whole city”, said Oliver Irvine, editor of BK Magazine which regularly critiques Bangkok’s food scene. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

“This is an old classic hole-in-the wall place which charges 800-1,000 baht ($24-31) for its famous crab omelet, nowhere near street-food prices. But when you cut that thing open, it’s literally bursting with the freshest crab in the whole city”, said Oliver Irvine, editor of BK Magazine which regularly critiques Bangkok’s food scene. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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Bangkok is known for its street food, with cart-wielding vendors selling everything from Thailand’s signature noodles to spicy tom yum goong soup in stalls with metal folding tables and rickety plastic stools. Jay Fai’s was the only “street food” restaurant in the guide to receive a star. The guidebook called it “a place that both taxi drivers and foodies wax lyrical about.” (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

Bangkok is known for its street food, with cart-wielding vendors selling everything from Thailand’s signature noodles to spicy tom yum goong soup in stalls with metal folding tables and rickety plastic stools. Jay Fai’s was the only “street food” restaurant in the guide to receive a star. The guidebook called it “a place that both taxi drivers and foodies wax lyrical about.” (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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Since receiving the accolade, her once relatively quiet restaurant has been busier than ever. She now opens shop from 3 pm to 2 am, but people start queueing up well before that. By afternoon on most days, a “full house” sign is hung up, indicating that no further customers can be accommodated. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

Since receiving the accolade, her once relatively quiet restaurant has been busier than ever. She now opens shop from 3 pm to 2 am, but people start queueing up well before that. By afternoon on most days, a “full house” sign is hung up, indicating that no further customers can be accommodated. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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A customer writes her name on a waiting list for a table at the 72-year-old Supinya Jansuta’s restaurant. With waiting times running into several hours, the joint’s newfound fame means that even landing a table isn’t guarantee of immediate service at this family run eatery. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

A customer writes her name on a waiting list for a table at the 72-year-old Supinya Jansuta’s restaurant. With waiting times running into several hours, the joint’s newfound fame means that even landing a table isn’t guarantee of immediate service at this family run eatery. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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Jay Fai said she was happy about receiving the Michelin honour, but wondered why it came so late in her career. “I’ve been cooking for 30 to 40 years, so I don’t know why I’ve only just got it... I hope more Thai people will win the award next year, and they don’t just give it to Jay Fai again,” she said, expertly working her flaming woks. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Jan 12, 2018 03:24 PM IST

Jay Fai said she was happy about receiving the Michelin honour, but wondered why it came so late in her career. “I’ve been cooking for 30 to 40 years, so I don’t know why I’ve only just got it... I hope more Thai people will win the award next year, and they don’t just give it to Jay Fai again,” she said, expertly working her flaming woks. (Gemunu Amarasinghe / AP)

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