A Big Reason Thailand’s Culinary Scene Is Thriving? Female Chefs
Just over 6% of Michelin starred kitchens are run by women.
Garima Arora, chef at the new Michelin two-starred Gaa in Bangkok.
Photographer: Jarek PajewskiWhen the lights dimmed on the 2024 Michelin Guide Thailand awards in Bangkok on Dec. 13, history had been made. Chudaree Debhakam of Baan Tepa had become the first Thai female chef to lead a two-Michelin-star restaurant and Garima Arora the first female Indian chef to clinch two stars for her dining room Gaa.
Both women are very much in the minority, not just within Bangkok’s culinary community but in the international food world. Just over 6% of Michelin-starred establishments globally—one, two and three stars combined—are currently helmed by female chefs. This translates to 219 restaurants out of 3,470 restaurants as of Jan. 18, according to Bloomberg analysis of Michelin Guide data.