David Thompson, the chef behind Nahm in Bangkok and Long Chim in Singapore, has been awarded the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. He will formally accept the award, voted for by his peers, at the fourth annual ceremony in Bangkok at the end of February.
A traditionalist who enjoys bringing the bold flavours of old recipe books back, Thompson is known across the culinary world as an authority on Thai food.
“Usually I am rather embarrassed by awards but to receive something as significant as this, voted for by my peers in the industry, does indeed make me proud and grateful,” he said.
Having started his career training in French restaurants in Sydney, he changed direction after a trip to Thailand. He spent a couple of years building a thorough knowledge of Thai food and went on to open several Thai restaurants in Sydney. His London restaurant Nahm opened in 2001 and became the first Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star. The Nahm concept expanded to Bangkok in 2010 and has picked up many plaudits along the way. It is currently number 22 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and number 7 on Asia’s 50 Best restaurants.
Long Chim in Singapore opened last year, focusing on Thai street food featuring Thompson’s enthusiasm for culinary traditions, hot spices and original recipes.
Thompson joins best female chef Margarita Forés and Hiroyasu Kawate who has been named the ‘One to watch’ in advance of the ceremony.
The lifetime achievement award is voted for by the 300 members of The Diners Club Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy.
Tina Nielsen
