Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng and her husband and restaurant co-owner John recently returned to Metro Vancouver from Jamaica with a massive honour, and a long list of reservations. Their 20-seat Thai fine dining establishment that sits on the waterfront of Steveston, Richmond, has been named the best restaurant in all of North America by a global hospitality and culinary group. Baan Lao came out on top of the World Culinary Awards against 22 Canadian nominees and 18 in the United States, and was also named the best restaurant in Canada for the third year in a row. Established in 2020, World Culinary Awards winners are chosen through online voting from the culinary community, industry experts and customers. “We’re thrilled, we’re excited, and we’re tired,” John Phanthoupheng told CTV Your Morning on Friday, shortly after he and Nutcha returned from the awards ceremony. “And very so happy,” Nutcha Phanthoupheng added. Baan Lao offers tasting menus featuring the “warmth, elegance and extraordinary attention to detail that defines Royal Thai cuisine,” as the restaurant’s website describes it. “Our vision has always been to create an exceptional fine Thai cuisine, reflecting on the varied details and also local suppliers that we use, and also very authentic ingredients,” John said. Born in the countryside of northern Thailand, Nutcha’s journey to becoming an award-winning executive chef in B.C. is an interesting one. She worked as a nurse in her home country, and then as a cancer researcher. It was when she moved to Canada that she decided to open a restaurant. “I was a nurse and wanted to create something natural and healthy for people. That’s why it’s the concept we did together to open a business round,” she said. Nutcha returned to Thailand to train with several high-profile chefs, including one who cooked for the Thai royal family. “I wanted to learn royal technique, and open Royal Thai cuisine here for everyone to experience Thai food,” she said, adding it was her dream to bring a different side of the country’s cuisine to Canada. “It’s not about only street food for Thai food.” John said the restaurant is currently fully booked about two weeks in advance. And as news of the award spreads, the wait may get longer. The business continues for the Baan Lao team as well, as it was just announced they are opening two new dining concepts in Granville Island sometime next year.
