Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon: Flight Attendant to James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

The Banter
The Guys took a road trip to Fishtown, a cool neighborhood in Philadelphia where they had great drinks with interesting garnishes. 

The Conversation
The Restaurant Guys thank Chef Nok Suntaranon for the spectacular dinner they had the night before at her award-winning restaurant Kalaya. Nok credits Kalaya’s success to her obsession for delicious food and cultural authenticity.  She shares her unique journey from flight attendant to James Beard Award-winning chef. How did she do it?

The Inside Track
The Guys were eager to meet Chef Suntaranon before the show and took a trip to Philadelphia to experience her restaurant Kalaya first-hand. They appreciated her attention to detail and deep caring about her guests and staff which culminated into a phenomenal dining experience. 

“I think it's in my blood that I appreciate a good thing. And food is my obsession, it is my passion,” Nok Suntaranon on The Restaurant Guys 2024

Bio
Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon grew up in Thailand where she developed a love of food. She later became a flight attendant, ran an Italian restaurant in Bangkok, then opened Kalaya in Philadelphia in 2019. Due to its success, Kalaya expanded in 2022. She was nominated James Beard Foundation’s Best New Chef and eventually became James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic 2023.

Info
Kalaya
https://kalayaphilly.com/
R & D cocktail bar
https://www.rdphilly.com/

The NJ Wine & Food Festival @ Crystal Springs May 1-3

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https://shop.crystalgolfresort.com/collections/14th-annual-new-jersey-wine-food-festival

Our Places

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