BAAN LAO FINE THAI CUISINE: Shooting For a Michelin Star Story by Sarah Gordon
Photos submitted
Dining at Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine is more than dinner; it is an experience. Each meal is an exquisite culinary journey, intricately prepared using fresh, organic ingredients, beautifully layered flavours, white-glove service, dramatic presentations, and lovely surprises. Chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng opened her waterfront restaurant on Bayview Street in February 2021; in the short time Baan Lao (which means “our home” in Thai) has been open, it has garnered impressive accolades. In 2021 and 2022, Vancouver Golden Plates awarded Baan Lao Best Restaurant Overall, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Thai Restaurant, Best Vancouver Hidden Gem, Best New Restaurant and Most Romantic Restaurant. In addition, Chef Nutcha was named Best Chef both years. This year, Baan Lao was awarded #79 on the prestigious Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list and #14 on its Canada’s Best New Restaurants list, further elevating Steveston’s profile as a tourist and foodie destination. 8
Guests are treated like royalty as they enjoy award-winning dishes and take in a beautiful view of the Fraser River. As a former registered nurse and cancer researcher, Chef Nutcha respects the impact food, and food sources can have on health and wellness. Everything is made with careful attention using pure, fresh, organic ingredients and whole foods. Chef Nutcha realized her dream of becoming a professional chef by taking private cooking courses with Chef Chumpol Jangprai, the Iron Chef of Thailand and the only two Michelin star Thai chef in the world. She continued her training under Chef Vichit Mukura, who served the Thai Royal family, and now has his own restaurant that is celebrated with a coveted Michelin star. She then returned to Steveston, and Baan Lao Fine Thai Cuisine was born.
StevestonInsider.com
August - September 2022
