If you have ever wondered who brought Thai cuisine onto the international world stage, look up Chef David Thompson. He is an internationally renowned multi-awarded, Michelin-starred chef and is at the helm of Long Dtai, a fine-dining Southern Thai food restaurant in Koh Samui.
Who Is Chef David Thompson?
Australian chef David Thompson is considered one of the culinary luminaries of Thai cuisine internationally, having spearheaded a number of restaurants worldwide in places such as Sydney, London, Singapore, Perth, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, some of which have been included in prestigious lists like Asia’s Best Restaurants and the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
This Sydney-born chef became enamoured with Thai cuisine when he arrived in Thailand in 1986, where he lived for three years, immersing himself in Thai cooking and culture and learning from cooks skilled in Thai royal cuisine. He has since built a successful career by borrowing the rich flavours, traditional ingredients, and cooking techniques and elevating Thai cuisine to be truly recognised internationally.
Chef David is known for his commitment to exploring and protecting the heritage of Thai food and culture through his work. In fact, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Asia’s Best Restaurants in 2016 for his passion and dedication to Thai cuisine. He is also an author, having published critically acclaimed books documenting Thai food history, traditional recipes, and culinary techniques passed down from generation to generation.
Long Dtai by Chef David Thompson
Cape Fahn Hotel has partnered with Chef David Thompson to head its 5-star Thai restaurant in Koh Samui, Long Dtai. Aptly naming the restaurant “Heading South,” Chef David does what he does best with a carefully curated menu of authentic Southern Thai dishes.
Chef David maintains culinary excellence at Long Dtai, where the dishes showcase the complex flavours and textures of the ethically sourced ingredients and seasonings. Bringing a sustainable philosophy into the kitchen, he uses the freshest vegetable produce and seasonal seafood sourced from local markets and producers. What’s even more admirable is his active support of marine conservation and sustainable practices, such as using line-caught fish and locally sourced organic produce.
Dining at Long Dtai is truly an experience to remember. One must ride a boat from Choeng Mon Beach to Koh Fahn, where Cape Fahn Hotel sits. Needless to say, open-air dining at a restaurant within a beautiful tropical resort offers breathtaking sea views, and the sunsets are phenomenal.
The menu is regularly curated based on available ingredients, so there is always something to excite the palate on each visit to Long Dtai. The menu descriptions are mouthwatering, with various delectable dishes including prawns in garuda claws, grilled squid gorlae, coconut and turmeric curry with blue swimmer crab, and chicken with black pepper and five spice. For dessert, must-tries include coconut crumble pudding and grilled bananas with coconut cream, turmeric, and palm sugar. Aside from the noteworthy food, the bar serves local and international fine wines and cocktails to complement your meal.
The fine-dining experience Long Dtai offers is the perfect extension of the impeccable service you can find at Cape Fahn Hotel. The restaurant is open daily except on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm, while the bar is open until 11 pm.
Now that you know who Chef David Thompson is, reserve a table at Long Dtai Restaurant in Cape Fahn Hotel on your next trip to Koh Samui and savour his authentic Southern Thai cuisine for yourself.
