Dusit Thani College collaborates MHESI to drive Thailand’s culinary industry through the ‘1 Village 1 Thai Chef’ Soft Power initiative 

Currently, the creative industry or economic activities related to the creation and utilization of knowledge or information are an industry group that generates a huge amount of income for Thailand. In addition to the cultural tourism industry, which ranks No. 1 for the industry that creates the highest value to the country, the Thai food industry makes the second highest. One of the target groups or customer groups that contribute to the value of the Thai food industry is foreign tourists. According to the data of THACCA, Thai cuisine is among Top 20 cuisines that people around the world like to consume. 

From the information above, it reflects the success and opportunities to expose Thai cuisine to the eyes of the world more. Moreover, this certainly generates income as a soft power to the country. Therefore, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has established THACCA or Thailand Creative Culture Agency in order to run activities related to Thailand soft power in different areas, including the Thai food industry. Chaired by Chef Chumpol Jangprai, the Sub-Committee of Food Industry Motivator includes 21 selected members to boost Thai cuisine as a soft power. Because Dusit Thani College is a specialized educational institution in culinary arts and hospitality management under Dusit International, the Rector Dr. Atthawet Prougestaporn was invited to join the team as a Sub-Committee to represent expertise in culinary knowledge.  

A strategy to make Thai cuisine become a global soft power is to incubate personnel in the Thai culinary industry with advanced knowledge and skills to embrace the enhancement of this field. Therefore, the “1 Village 1 Thai Chef” initiative was created to open opportunities for laypeople, from village to sub-district, district, and province levels, who are Thai citizens all over the country to apply for this and receive culinary knowledge and trainings. The interested will be participating in the Professional Thai Chef curriculum which is conducted by instructors and experts from various institutions. By all means, Dusit Thani College provided our instructors including Dr. Wilasinee Yonwikai, Dr. Natnaree Smith, Dr. Suphicha Booranavitayaporn, Ajarn Wachiravit Homboonyong, Ajarn Nutthawut Promchan, MBA program alumni Mr. Ekarin Yusuksomboon and Chef Annie – Angkana Iamsaard, as well as current MBA students Ms. Thanyawan Chaisiri and Chef Big – Phuripat Jaiweerawattanakul to train in this program. Moreover, Dr. Natnaree Smith, Chef Toei – Patcharakhun Kalyanamitr, and Chef Big – Phuripat Jaiweerawattanakul took the role of instructors during ‘Train the Trainer’ training program as well. 

Those who complete each program under this initiative will receive a certificate which guarantees the skills developed and become a professional chef of their villages, sub-districts, districts, and provinces. This is important in driving Thai cuisine as a soft power for reaching the country’s goal, and Dusit Thani College is proud to be a part to reinforce this success.