Cooking and teaching from the heart: Rapeepat ‘A’ Boriboon How Dusit Thani Hotel School’s Executive Thai Chef imparts the recipe for culinary success
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HEF Rapeepat ‘A’ Boriboon is a man on a mission. Armed with authentic Thai recipes, top quality ingredients, oodles of experience, and a real passion for his craft, his goal is to impart his knowledge to a new generation of Thai chefs who will go on to open their own restaurants in Bangkok and beyond. Their remit? Maintain authenticity, respect ingredients, and, in Chef A’s own words, “cook with love.” The last one, of course, is tricky – love is most likely the last thing on any chef's mind when faced with a dining room packed with over 100 hungry guests – but Chef A’s enthusiasm is so infectious, and his lessons so thorough and inspiring, that anyone who learns from him no doubt develops a deep affection for cooking that not even the busiest of dinner services can diminish. It helps, of course, that Chef A imparts all of his wisdom in a facility as well equipped as the brand new Dusit Thani Hotel School (which is owned and operated by Dusit International and located just behind Siam Paragon in the heart of the city), where he leads the “Traditional Thai Food and Thai Desserts” course – a 60-hour course which sees groups of up to 14 students learn how to make 30 Thai dishes and 15 Thai desserts, carve vegetables and fruits into works of art, and how to successfully manage a restaurant and kitchen. In short, everything one needs to know before embarking on a career as a chef – and maybe even opening a restaurant. “When I was a young man I wish I had the opportunity to join a culinary school like this,” says Chef A, wistfully. “Instead I
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had to start as a pot washer, and then work my way up slowly. As a boy I would constantly pester chefs into teaching me how to cook. I was so persistent they couldn't say no!” Chef A got his first big break some 20 years ago when he was awarded a chance to join a Thai cooking course arranged by the Skill Development Institute of Ubon Ratchathani, his hometown. This included three months of training at the renowned Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, where he further honed his skills under the watchful eyes of the hotel's executive Thai chef. From here, he then embarked upon a career that has taken him to the kitchens of several top restaurants in Bangkok, and now to his latest role which, he says, embraces another big passion in his life – teaching. “Being able to pass on my experience to anyone who wants to become a chef is a dream come true,” he says. “Especially as we focus on much more than simply just cooking – we also discuss the history of each dish we make, talk about regional influences, and examine how Thai food has evolved to become the world-renowned cuisine it is today. “I may be biased, but the course we offer is exceptional value for money, especially when you consider that each student who completes the course receives a Certificate of Achievement accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education. With this in hand, they’re then ready to become professional chefs. Think of it as an inexpensive fast-track to a fabulous career.” More details about the “Traditional Thai Food and Thai Desserts” course can be found online at bit.ly/1UMIw8F. Apply today on Tel: 081 805 0581 or email: sirawin.pd@dusit.com