Heny Sison is quite meticulous in inviting Guest Chef Instructors to teach in her school. She does not only look for depth or authenticity, in the case of foreign chefs but also keenly looks for that positive aura that she thinks will also move her students. This special attribute prodded Heny to invite Chef Chariya Bhamornsoot (Thaikupt) to teach Thai Cooking classes in her school.
Traditional Thai cooking balances five flavors--sweet, sour, salty, creamy and spicy, which are evident in popular Thai dishes. It’s no wonder that Chef Chariya has an affinity for Kare-Kare, her favorite Filipino dish, which also has a rich blend of flavor and texture with its peanut base, ox tripe, and a generous amount of vegetables in the dish.
At an early age, Chef Chariya learned how to cook from her mother.
She was drafted by her Aunt who was an Executive Chef in a top hotel in Bangkok and the good feedback she received influenced her to be more serious about pursuing a culinary career. This inspired Chariya to strive harder and push further. She imparts the same mentality to her students.
“The art of cooking has a lot of methods to learn. It might be hard for you or it might be easy for you, but the important thing is: you will not be successful if you do not try.” Chariya adds, “I have learned a lot of things because I always try. When you have new ideas, do not be scared of making mistakes. Just believe in yourself and do it.”