Australian students learn Thai cookings skills during culinary exchange
3 December 2014
Australian Ambassador to Thailand Paul Robilliard hosted a dinner for representatives of leading Thai cooking schools at his residence on 28 November to mark the second annual culinary exchange between Guilford Young College (Hobart) and the Suan Dusit International Culinary School (Bangkok).
Under the exchange, two students from Guilford Young, Charlie Bird and Joshua Mikoda, spent a week learning Thai cooking skills at Suan Dusit. Their stay followed a two-week visit by two master chefs from Suan Dusit, Chachaya Raktakanishta and Supapit Opatvisan, to Guilford Young in July and August to teach Thai cooking skills to students. The Australia-Thailand Institute supported both visits.
The exchange was initiated in 2013 by the Thai Honorary Consul in Tasmania under the Thai Kitchen to the World program, managed by Thailand's Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The program promotes Thai ingredients and food internationally. It was launched by former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra during her visit to Australia in May 2012.
“This exchange is not just about food. It is also about sharing Australian and Thai culture and developing links and understanding between our countries” Ambassador Robilliard said.
“The New Colombo Plan, which be rolled out in Thailand in 2015, is also about building links between Australia and Thailand and other Asian countries. 160 Australian students will study at Thai institutions under the program next year”.
The dinner gave the Australian students the chance to show off skills they had learnt in Thailand. They prepared seared Tasmanian salmon with green mango and an Australian beef Panang curry for dinner guests, who included Thai Iron Chef Chumpol Jangprai, Professor Wandee Na-songkhla, Managing Director of Wandee Culinary Art School and Dr Wichuda Na-songkhla, Deputy Managing Director, Wandee Culinary Art School.
Thai cooking demonstration in Ambassador’s kitchen: Ambassador Paul Robilliard and participants of the culinary exchange - Ms Chachaya Raktakanishta, Director of Suan Dusit International Culinary School, Mr Supapit Opatvisan, Lecturer of Suan Dusit International Culinary School and Guilford Young College students Charlie Bird and Joshua Mikoda
From left to right: Mr David Skowronski, Second Secretary, Australian Embassy; Mr Supapit Opatvisan, Lecturer, Suan Dusit International Culinary School; Joshua Mikoda and Charlie Bird, Guilford Young College; Thai Iron Chef Mr Chumpol Jangprai, Managing Director of MSC Thai Culinary School; Professor Wandee Na-songkhla, Managing Director of Wandee Culinary Art School; Australian Ambassador to Thailand Mr Paul Robilliard; Assistant Professor Dr Niramit Kunanuwat, Vice President for International Affairs, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University; Dr Wichuda Na-songkhla, Deputy Managing Director, Wandee Culinary Art School; Dr Chutipapha Suwankanit, Lecturer, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University; and Ms Chachaya Raktakanishta, Director of Suan Dusit International Culinary School
Culinary exchange: Mr Mikoda and Mr Bird prepared a seared Tasmanian salmon salad with green mango and Australian beef Panang curry for the dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence.
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