In December 2024, Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn will take over the kitchen at Restaurant Ikarus in Hangar-7 in Salzburg. With his unmistakable blend of seasonal Thai ingredients and modern cuisine, he brings the flavors of Asia to your plate and invites you on a culinary journey.
A culinary ambassador for Thailand
The name of his restaurant Le Du says it all: it comes from the Thai word “ฤดู”, which means “season”. This philosophy not only characterizes Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn's cuisine, but also his vision to bring Thai gastronomy to the world stage. With his passion for local ingredients and innovative techniques, he is revolutionizing the culinary scene in Thailand and beyond.
From street food to world-class gastronomy
Thailand is famous for its street food, but Chef Ton is on a different mission: he wants to provide a stage for his country's top gastronomy. His dishes combine traditional flavors with modern techniques, capturing the essence of Thailand without getting lost in convention.
Highlights of his cuisine:
- Seasonality and regionality take center stage
- Inspiration from his mother's and grandmother's family recipes
- Use of top-quality local produce, refined with the latest technology
The stages of a visionary
Thitid Tassanakajohn's path is as extraordinary as his dishes. After studying economics at Chulalongkorn University, he moved to the USA. There he graduated with honors from the renowned Culinary Institute of America and continued his education with an MBA in Hospitality Management.
In New York, he gained experience in the best restaurants in the world, including:
- Eleven Madison Park (3 Michelin stars)
- The Modern (2 Michelin stars)
- Jean-Georges (2 Michelin stars)
In 2013, he returned to Thailand and opened Le Du with a business partner, which was voted #1 in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2023.
Le Du and beyond: a flourishing empire
In addition to Le Du, Chef Ton runs a number of other renowned restaurants:
- Nusara: ranked 3rd in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023
- Baan, Samut, Lahnyai and Niras: All listed in the Michelin Guide Thailand
- Mayrai: An experimental wine bar that combines modern Thai cuisine with unusual wines
His dishes are not only a feast for the senses, but also a statement for the quality of Thai products, which have long been underestimated. “Thailand is one of the best places in the world for first-class ingredients”, emphasizes Tassanakajohn.
Chef Ton at Hangar-7: a menu that inspires
In December 2024, Chef Ton will be presenting an exclusive menu at Hangar-7 that celebrates the diversity and complexity of Thai cuisine. An insight into the dishes:
- Curry mashed potatoes with shimeji and black cabbage
- Barracuda with fermented fish puma and fried rice
- Langoustine with tom yam bisque and crispy egg
- Austrian wagyu with watermelon and Thai beef jus
The future of Thai cuisine
With Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, the future of Thai cuisine is assured. His innovative strength, coupled with respect for tradition, makes him a pioneer of modern Asian cuisine. His guest appearance at Hangar-7 is proof that Thailand not only offers street food, but also a rich, sophisticated culinary culture.
Helge Kirchberger Photography
