Chudaree Debhakam
Chudaree "Chef Tam" Debhakam (born c. 1993) is a Thai chef from Bangkok. In 2024, she became the first Thai female chef to be awarded two Michelin stars. In 2025, she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef.
Biography
[edit]As a child, Chudaree Debhakam aspired to become a professional athlete. After realizing that she did not have a future to become a professional sportsperson, Debhakam turned her attention to the culinary arts.[1] Debhakam first moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree from the University of Nottingham in food science and nutrition.[2] She later moved to the United States to train at the International Culinary Center in New York and to work under Dan Barber at Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown.[3]
Top Chef Thailand
[edit]While in New York, Debhakam's family encouraged her to apply for the first season of Top Chef Thailand. She returned to Thailand to appear on the show, where she was the youngest competitor at 24-years-old. In 2017, Debhakam won the first season of Top Chef Thailand.[3]
Baan Tepa
[edit]In 2020, Debhakam opened Baan Tepa in a historic family home once owned by her grandmother. Baan Tepa specializes in traditional Thai cuisine. Produce for the restaurant are grown on the grounds of the estate.[3] Debhakam's experience at Stone Barns inspired her vision for Baan Tepa, where regional produce is used, and sustainability is implemented through composting and recycling.[1]
In late 2023, her restaurant Baan Tepa received its second Michelin star.[4] With the award, Debhakam became the first Thai woman to receive two Michelin stars.[5] That year, Baan Tepa received a green star from the Michelin guide recognizing the restaurant's sustainability practices.[6] In 2024, Baan Tepa appeared 42 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list.[7] She was also named the 2024 Michelin Guide Young Chef award.[8]
Recognition
[edit]Debhakam has been widely recognized for her impact on Thai and Asian culinary scene.[9] In 2025, Debhakam was named Asia's Best Female Chef by Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.[3][10][11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Chef 'Tam' Chudaree Debhakam on coping with pressure, creating change and the beauty of humble ingredients". 50B - STORIES. Archived from the original on 2025-04-30. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Chudaree "Tam" Debhakam". www.prestigeonline.com. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ a b c d "Asia's Best Female Chef 2025 on 'weird' plants and her sustainable vision". South China Morning Post. 2025-02-18. Archived from the original on 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "6 restaurants earn a first star in Michelin Guide Thailand 2024". South China Morning Post. 2023-12-15. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Meet Chef Chudaree "Tam" Debhakam, the World's First Thai Female to Reach for Two MICHELIN Stars for Baan Tepa". MICHELIN Guide. Archived from the original on 2025-04-19. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "'Locally sourced ingredients': what sustainability means for chef Alvin Leung". South China Morning Post. 2023-05-05. Archived from the original on 2025-07-04. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2024: Tokyo's Sézanne takes No 1, 8 in Singapore rank". South China Morning Post. 2024-03-26. Archived from the original on 2025-04-08. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ "MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2024: An Ode to Culinary Excellence with New Shining Stars". MICHELIN Guide. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Asia, Tatler. "Tam Chudaree Debhakam". Tatler Asia. Archived from the original on 2024-09-10. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Ee, Jaime (2025-03-06). "Chudaree 'Tam' Debhakam's rise to Asia's best female chef". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 2025-04-07. Retrieved 2025-05-26.
- ^ Hendricks, Nianne-Lynn (2025-02-18). "Meet Asia's best female chef". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2025-05-26.