Awards & Recognitions

    • Winner of “ASIA YOUTH HOPE COOKING” contest by Les Disciples d’Escoffier (2011)

    • “THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE YEAR” in Her World Magazine (2012)

    • “YOUNG TALENT” by Les Disciples d’Escoffier (2012)

    • 30UNDER30 FORBES AWARDS, creating and designing the future of the world culinary (2015)

    • GEN.T honoree under the “Food & Beverage” category (2018)

    • THE FUTURE LIST 100 honoree (2021)

    • “Rising Star” from TOP25Restaurants (2022)

    • 40UNDER40 Prestige AWARDS (2022)

    • “Chef of The Year” AWARDS from KOKTAIL Magazine (2022)

    • MICHELIN Thailand Opening of the Year Award (2023)

    • Winner of Inspiring Women in Travel Asia (IWTA) Awards under Woman Foodpreneur (2023)

    • “Chef of The Year” Award from CHOPE Diner Choices (2023)

    • #95 Best Chef Award from World’s Best Chef Award (2023)

    • Asia’s Most Influential from Tatler ASIA (2023)

    • ASIA’s Best Female Chef (2024)

    • 3 Knives Status (highest) from World’s Best Chef Award (2024)

    • “Best New Restaurant” from TimeOut to restaurant: The Table (2021)

    • “The Best Chinese Restaurant” from Prestige to restaurant: POTONG (2021)

    • “World Best New Restaurant” Hot List from Conde Nast Traveller to restaurant: POTONG (2021)

    • “2021 Wongnai User Choice” from Wongnai to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2021)

    • “Grab Thumb Up” Award from Grab to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2021)

    • “2022 Wongnai User Choice” from Wongnai to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2022)

    • “ASIA’s Best New Restaurant” nominee from World Culinary Awards to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • 5 Stars from TimeOut to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • “Best New Restaurant” from TimeOut to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • “Best New Bar of 2022” TimeOut: OPIUM BAR (2023)“Top 30 Restaurants” from KOKTAIL Magazine: POTONG (2022)

    • “Rising Star” from TOP25Restaurants (2022)

    • Winner of Thailand Grand Final Flor de Caña Rum Cocktail Competition 2022 for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

    • Winner of Giffard West Cup ASIA SELECTION 2022 for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

    • 50 Best Discovery for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

    • “Restaurant & Bar of the year” from CHOPE to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • “Restaurant & Bar of the year” from CHOPE to bar: Opium Bar (2022)

    • “Restaurant & Bar Design Award” shortlist from RBDW to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • Michelin Guide with Interesting Wine Cellar to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

    • 1 Michelin Star: restaurant POTONG (2023)

    • MICHELIN Thailand Opening of the Year Award: restaurant POTONG (2023)

    • #35 ASIA’S 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2023)

    • #88 World’s 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2023)

    • #5 from TOP25 Restaurants Awards (2023)

    • “Best Innovative Restaurant” from International Dining Awards: POTONG (2023)

    • #59 ASIA’s 50 Best Bar: OPIUM BAR (2023)

    • “Best Bar of the Year” from Bangkok After Dark Magazine: OPIUM BAR (2023)

    • Winner of Thailand Grand Final Flor de Caña Rum Cocktail Sustainability Challenge for bar: OPIUM BAR (2023)

    • “Chef of The Year” from CHOPE Diner Choices: POTONG (2023)

    • “Restaurant of the Year” from Kocktail Magazine awards: POTONG (2023)

    • “Thailand’s Best” from Thailand Favourite Restaurants awards: POTONG (2023)

    • “TOP 100 of the World 2023” from Luxury Lifestyle Award: POTONG (2023)

    • Top 10 Thailand Most Recommended Restaurants from Word of Mouth: POTONG (2023)

    • “Platinum Medal” by CTRIP Gourmet worldwide: POTONG (2023)

    • Chef Pam as “ASIA’s Best Female Chef”: POTONG (2024)

    • #1 TOP25 Restaurants in Bangkok: POTONG (2024)

    • #17 ASIA’S 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2024)

    • #57 World’s 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2024)

    • Top Chef Thailand Judge

    • Top Chef Middle East Judge

    • International Jury for Årets Kock Swedish Chef of the Year Competition

    • Iron Chef Judge

    • BIDCOIN Chef Judge

    • S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Judge

    • Top World-Class Female Chefs representative from Gastronauts Asia

    • Executive Head Chef (THE X PROJECT GROUP)

    • Asia’s Best Female Chef

    • The World Cook Judge

    • The Maverick Academy Judge

THE EARLY DAYS

Thai by birth, Thai-Chinese-Australian Chef Pam (“PAM” Pichaya Utharntharm) was brought up in Bangkok, Thailand. At age of 21, chef Pam became the first youngest chef to be awarded as the winner of “ASIA YOUTH HOPE COOKING” contest in 2011 by Les Disciples d’Escoffier. In 2012, She was also awarded as one of the “THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2012” in Her World Magazine. Within the same year, returning to France, chef Pam was also the first runner-up for the globally known contest with the title “YOUNG TALENT 2012”, by Les Disciples d’Escoffier.

TRAINED FROM THE LEGENDARY
JEAN-GEORGES’S 3 MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANT

Recognition by multiple awards and experiences in fine dining, Chef Pam arrived in New York to continue her culinary journey at THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA. Graduated with high honors and was awarded 1st in management and culinary, Chef Pam started working at Jean-Georges. Consistently awarded four stars by the New York Times and three Michelin stars, Jean‑Georges presents exquisitely crafted dishes blending French, American, and Asian influences. Several years of training and working with chef Mark Lapico, 6-years executive chef at Jean Gorges restaurant, results in her fine culinary skills and exceptionally high standards.

YOUNGEST FEMALE CHEF TO RECEIVE BOTH MICHELIN STAR & OPENING OF THE YEAR AWARD

Chef Pam (Pichaya Soontornyanakij) was the youngest and first-ever female chef to receive this Michelin Thailand Opening of the Year Award together with 1 Michelin star for Restaurant POTONG.

The MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award is given to Chef Pam and POTONG for the successful opening of a dining venue over the past 12 months, with a creative degustation concept and cuisine approach, which has had an impact on the local gastronomic scene.

Being the first recipient of this special award in Thailand, Chef Pam is recognized for her successful opening of the restaurant, Potong, in the heart of Chinatown. She has renovated her family’s ancestral building that used to be a pharmacy, in spite of trying times during the Covid-19 period. It was the first restaurant of its kind to serve innovative/progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine in Thailand, with a 20-course Tasting Menu, whereby each dish embodies the 5-Element philosophy of “Salt, Acid, Spice, Texture, and Millard Reaction”. The restaurant also won its first Michelin star at the same time.

ASIA’S BEST FEMALE CHEF

Chef Pam (Pichaya Soontornyanakij) was the youngest and quickest Thai female chef to ever win ASIA’s Best Female Chef award in the history.

Indulge into heritage, sacrifice and the restaurant that chose her. Since its opening in 2021, Potong has won a slew of awards, debuting onto Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants at No.35 in 2023 and earning a place on the extended list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in the same year.

“THE BEST” STATUS of 3 KNIVES
from The World Best Chef Award

Chef Pam is the first and only Thai female chef who achieved the status of “THE BEST” which has 3 knives from the World Best Chef Award in 2024 among the greatest chefs around the world.

Three Knives (THE BEST): Awarded to chefs achieving 80% or more of the maximum possible points, indicating top-tier culinary mastery

THE TABLE: 1ST RESTAURANT (2015)
BEST NEW RESTAURANT (TIMEOUT)

Chef Pam started her career back in Bangkok opening her first-ever fine dining establishment/ restaurant from a chef’s personal kitchen - The Table before it has grown globally and renowned. TimeOut has also crowned The Table as the “BEST NEW RESTAURANT”. The Table was also featured in “The Great Big Story” channel (in partnership with Amazing Thailand), which has over 5 million subscribers across the world under the video: The Best Food in Bangkok is in This Chef's Home

CHEF PAM ON TV

CHEF PAM ON TV

Chef Pam returned to Thailand and take on multiple TV Shows and Media that drive today culinary world.

  • “Top Chef Judge”: Bravo’s Emmy award-winning franchise, “Top Chef” as a host/judge; Pam appeared on twelve (12) seasons of “Top Chef Masters.”

  • “Iron Chef Judge”: Japanese award-winning franchise “Iron Chef” as host/judge; is a cooking competition game show produced and broadcast by Channel 7 HD and remain one of the most popular TV show today.

  • “BIDCOIN Chef Judge”: BIDCOIN Chef is a reality TV Show that air every Sunday at 18.00 on Channel 7HD or via Facebook Live. The cooking show gathers various chefs from all over Thailand (some from MasterChef Thailand, Top Chef Thailand, and Iron Chef Thailand)

  • Gronda Masterclass: Largest chef community for culinary application, Gronda Masterclass. Pam is teaching “6 Ways to use Asian Dried Ingredients”

  • Taste Show, under the global name of Taste, has reached internationally, particularly in the US, France, China, and Asia. The global brand has millions of subscribers and attracted major “foodies” across the world.

  • PAM’s Kitchen: Pam's Kitchen, which is distributed nationwide on NEW 18 by NEWTV (DN Broadcast), is the most exciting & anticipating culinary series that includes Chef Pam's recipes and tips from her kitchen.

  • Vogue ”THE WORLD WE LIVE IN" series: Vogue follows the daily life of Chef Pam-Pichaya Utharnham, the mastermind behind the deliciousness of POTONG and SMOKED restaurants. but also plays the role of a mother who takes care of the baby.

  • CNA Remarkable Living: CNA Luxury Life Style series for top chefs in Asia as the only Thai chef who hails from four generations of TCM practitioners.

  • The World Cook series: TUI's thrilling competitive cooking show, The World Cook presents 16 cooks from around the world come together to compete in a game-changing culinary competition. Chef Pam is invited to be guest Judge.

  • The Maverick Academy: A reality show for passionate cooks who are hungry to fulfil their F&B dream. Chefs from all over Asia will be flown to a central city in the region, and gird for the battle of their culinary career. Chef Pam join the Judge team.

Chef Pam, a critically acclaimed chef, food consultant, and television personality, is one of the most recognized faces cooking in Thailand today.

EMPOWERED FEMALE CHEFS

Chef Pam has announced WFW (Women-for-Women program) or scholarships and internships to empower young chefs for qualified female students.

Chef Pam was also selected as one of the top World-Class Female Chefs and Wine Makers across Thailand, representing female chefs in the country, to join global force with Gastronauts Asia under Women in Gastronomy (WIG) led by Chef Cristina Bowerman (from Michelin-starred restaurant Glass Hostaria in Rome), one of Italy’s most celebrated chefs. Chef Cristina is a true inspiration in the mainly male-dominated field of haute cuisine. Chef Pam has contributed a truly inspiring performance and stories that empowered all female chefs in the Thailand industry.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND HER RESTAURANTS & BAR GROUP,
PAM HOLDS MULTIPLE AWARDS RECOGNIZED GLOBALLY:

  • Winner of “ASIA YOUTH HOPE COOKING” contest by Les Disciples d’Escoffier (2011)

  • “THE YOUNG WOMEN OF THE YEAR” in Her World Magazine (2012)

  • “YOUNG TALENT”, by Les Disciples d’Escoffier (2012)

  • 30UNDER30 FORBES AWARDS, creating and designing the future of the world culinary (2015)

  • GEN.T honoree under the “Food & Beverage” category (2018)

  • “Best New Restaurant” from TimeOut to restaurant: The Table (2021)

  • “The Best Chinese Restaurant” from Prestige to restaurant: POTONG (2021)

  • “World Best New Restaurant” Hot List from Conde Nast Traveller to restaurant: POTONG (2021)

  • “2021 Wongnai User Choice” from Wongnai to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2021)

  • “Grab Thumb Up” Award from Grab to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2021)

  • “2022 Wongnai User Choice” from Wongnai to restaurant: SMOKED and SMOKED Joint (2022)

  • “ASIA’s Best New Restaurant” nominee from World Culinary Awards to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • 5 Stars from TimeOut to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • “Best New Restaurant” from TimeOut to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • “Top 30 Restaurants” from KOKTAIL Magazine: POTONG (2022)

  • THE FUTURE LIST 100 honoree (2021)

  • “Rising Star” from TOP25Restaurants (2022)

  • 40UNDER40 Prestige AWARDS (2022)

  • “Chef of The Year” AWARDS from KOKTAIL Magazine (2022)

  • Winner of Thailand Grand Final Flor de Caña Rum Cocktail Competition 2022 for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

  • Winner of Giffard West Cup ASIA SELECTION 2022 for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

  • 50 Best Discovery for bar: OPIUM BAR (2022)

  • S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Judge (2022)

  • “Restaurant & Bar of the year” from CHOPE to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • “Restaurant & Bar of the year” from CHOPE to bar: Opium Bar (2022)

  • “Restaurant & Bar Design Award” shortlist from RBDW to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • Michelin Guide with Interesting Wine Cellar to restaurant: POTONG (2022)

  • 1 Michelin Star: restaurant POTONG (2023)

  • MICHELIN Thailand Opening of the Year Award: restaurant POTONG (2023)

  • #35 ASIA’S 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2023)

  • #88 World’s 50 Best Restaurants from The World 50 Best Restaurants Awards (2023)

  • #5 from TOP25 Restaurants Awards (2023)

  • “Best Innovative Restaurant” from International Dining Awards: POTONG (2023)

OWNER OF RESTAURANTS & BARS GROUP

As a key partner to THE X PROJECT CO., LTD group, Chef Pam owns several niches, thought-provoking, and story-driven. THE X PROJECT’s restaurants and bars are Bangkok-based food & beverage teams founded in 2018 by Tor Boonpiti and Chef Pam (Pichaya Utharntharm). Together they share decades of experience in consulting, hospitality along with a zest for travel and discovering dining subcultures.

THE X PROJECT restaurant group curates distinct dining experiences that tell a story about a particular time, place, culture, and cuisine while celebrating the bounty of premium ingredients available both locally and from abroad. Always pushing boundaries, the group continues to expand rapidly within Bangkok and beyond.

RESTAURANT POTONG (2019):

Chef Pam won multiple awards for her Restaurant POTONG, including Michelin, TOP25Restaurant, World Best New Restaurant - Conde Nast Traveler, World Culinary Award, TimeOut, KOKTAIL, and many more.

POTONG (普通), roughly translates as “simple”, is the name of Chef Pam’s family business, representing Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine producer (中草药制造商 - zhōng cǎo yào zhì zào shāng) since 1910.

Restaurant POTONG was built to last with techniques ahead of its time and with the distinctive design of SINO-Portuguese, it became one of the tallest and most anticipating buildings when constructing in Chinatown, Bangkok. For 4 generations, spanning over 100 years, Chef Pam’s family lived here while producing Chinese medicine products under the name “保坤益母藥” (bǎo kūn yì mǔ yào). This 5-story-tall building has a tale of its own; from one age to another.

At POTONG, Chef Pam believes that dining can happen on a spiritual level - when the cuisine, the wine, the service, and the overall ambiance transpire in equal measure - At that moment, like a brisk snapshot, it captures your memory. The restaurant offers 5 Elements, 5 Senses, 20 Inspiring dishes: Taste Chef Pam’s journal memories of Progressive Thai-Chinese cuisine. 

RESTAURANTS & BARS GROUP