Thailand will be cooking up a storm for APEC attendees

Some of the most renowned chefs from the four corners of the Kingdom will donate their culinary talents to diplomacy next month when those lucky enough to attend the opening gala of APEC, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, will be treated to a gourmet menu of Thai delights.

Thailand is the host country of APEC 2022 and is eager to showcase its cultural heritage and soft power strengths to its guests from the 21 member economies. Among them is Thai cuisine, which has risen from obscurity just a few decades ago to one of the most popular ethnic cuisines in the U.S. and Europe.

The all-star lineup of those preparing the meals will be led by Michelin-starred chef Chumpol Jangprai. Chumpol, who was also the lead chef when Thailand hosted APEC in 1992 and 2003, told The Nation newspaper that he has planned a menu that represents Thailand’s uniqueness and charm in a balanced way through the use of local specialty ingredients and Thai herbs.

“The theme of the menu complements the overarching thought of APEC Summit 2022: the implementation of the bio-circular-green [BCG] economy model,” said Chumpol. “I have selected organic vegetables grown by community enterprises across Thailand. As for meat, I will mainly use the famous Betong chicken, which was selectively bred from China’s Guangxi chicken by Yala’s farmers.”

Also on the menu will be seven-color lobsters from the southern province of Phuket, duck eggs from the central plains of Suphan Buri, river prawns from the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, organic chicken from Nakhon Pathom which borders Laos, sundried threadfin fish from Pattani on the Deep South, and beef from the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon.

The dining tables will be decorated with handicrafts from the Support Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

Photo courtesy of https://www.tatnews.org/2020/11/