On 8 August 2023, Ms. Acharapan Yavaprapas, Consul-General of Thailand in Kolkata, presided over the launch of a Thai Culinary Workshop at Sister Nivedita University (SNU) held between 8-9 August 2023, Kolkata. The event saw the participation of over 50 SNU students in a comprehensive two-day programme comprising theoretical part and actual cooking. The main objectives of the said event were to promote the popularity of Thai cuisine, to provide basic knowledge to SNU students on Thai cuisine including how to choose the ingredients which may expand their career opportunities in the field of hospitality and tourism, and to strengthen the relationship between the two countries through their shared culinary cultures.

The training program encompassed three main components; namely, (1) a comprehensive lecture by the Consulate-General’s officers on essential aspects of Thailand, its vibrant culture, popular tourist destinations, and the historical development of Thai cuisine, (2) a cooking demonstration by Consul-General’s personal chef, who showcased the preparation of popular Thai dishes comprising of Glass Noodle Salad (Yam-Wun-Sen), Green Papaya Salad (Som-Tum), Chicken Green Curry (Gang-Khiao-Wan-Gai), Spicy Shrimp Soup (Tom-Yum-Gung) and Rice Balls in Coconut milk (Bua-Loy), and (3) cook-along sessions, which provided SNU students with the opportunity to engage in practical training of Thai cooking techniques and familiarize themselves with the use of Thai cooking ingredients in tandem with the adaptation of locally available ingredients.    

SNU is a prominent private university in Kolkata, offering diverse academic programs such as engineering and technology, sciences, medicine, pharmaceutical science, hospitality and tourism, and language and literature. The university further enhances its global outlook through partnerships with foreign institutions such as University of Chittagong in Bangladesh and Okayama University in Japan.

This project is an ongoing activity as part of Amazing Thai Festival in Kolkata 2023. The successful outcome of this initiative will help broaden the recognition of Thai cuisine, foster the burgeoning demand for Thai products and ingredients, and the establishment of more Thai restaurants in India.