The chef-owner and advocate for Thai produce and farm-driven cuisine will be honoured at the live awards ceremony on 25 March 2025

Thai chef Chudaree ‘Tam’ Debhakam, chef-owner of Bangkok’s Baan Tepa (No.42 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2024), has been named Asia’s Best Female Chef 2025, sponsored by Nongshim Shinramyun. She is renowned for showcasing local produce and biodiversity in the most innovative ways within a space that has been thoughtfully transformed from Chef Tam’s family home into a unique dining and garden experience. By pushing the boundaries of Thai cuisine on a global stage, Chef Tam embodies the spirit of excellence celebrated by the 350-plus voters of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy to highlight the achievements of women in gastronomy who excel through their skills, expertise ,and artistry.

Chef Tam will be honoured at the live awards ceremony on 25 March 2025 when Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants returns to Seoul for the second year. The extensive events programme, developed in collaboration with official host destination partners, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, will culminate in the awards ceremony where the 2025 ranking of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants will be revealed.

Chef Tam is a passionate advocate for sustainability and farm-to-table cooking. Her approach blends responsibly sourced local produce with creative Thai flavours and modern techniques, all shaped by her deep knowledge of nutrition. She infuses her cuisine with these experiences, which go beyond cooking to embrace waste management, composting, farming, and supporting local growers. Chef Tam has trained at New York’s International Culinary Center and worked under chef Dan Barber (winner of the Chefs’ Choice Award as part of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018) at Blue Hill at Stone Barns (No.74 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2022), gaining invaluable experience in ingredient-driven cuisine. She has also served as Chef Ambassador for Thai Harvest SOS and UNEP’s sustainability campaigns, championing food waste reduction. Despite the challenges of sourcing rare and unknown ingredients, her unwavering belief in farm-to-table dining continues to drive her mission to create meaningful culinary experiences that celebrate Thailand’s food culture.

William Drew, Director of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, says: “Chef Tam is a true trailblazer. From spotlighting rare produce and dining traditions to her expertise in farm-driven cuisine, she skilfully highlights the culinary culture of Thailand. At a very young age, she has made a remarkable impact on the global dining scene with Baan Tepa; an unparalleled experience that honours her roots, family and heritage. She inspires women in gastronomy to follow her lead and is a truly deserving recipient of this award.”

Opened in 2020, Baan Tepa offers an open-kitchen dining room, a chef’s table, and an organic culinary garden in one seamless dining experience. The seven-course tasting menu takes diners on a journey through Thailand with dishes like Heart of Thailand: Nam Prik – each bite representing a different region, Dong Dang Noodles, and Anatomy of a River Prawn. Once the home of Chef Tam’s grandmother, the three-generation family estate has been transformed into an urban celebration of heritage cuisine, while the space retains its charm with original hardwood floors, lofty ceilings, and walls crafted from the house’s original materials.

On winning Asia’s Best Female Chef Award 2025, sponsored by Nongshim Shinramyun, Chef Tam says: “It is an honour to receive this award on behalf of the entire Baan Tepa team and to acknowledge the incredible support I’ve received from those who have been part of this journey. As we all know, the path we take in this career is not without its challenges as hospitality requires unwavering dedication and sacrifice. This award not only provides a platform for female leaders but also creates role models – something I wish I had more access to when I was starting out. My hope is to inspire and support the younger generations of female chefs and to show them that they too can build successful careers by being authentic and not scared to push the boundaries.”

About the host destination partner: Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) is a government organisation of the Republic of Korea in charge of agriculture and rural affairs as well as the promotion of the food industry. Its objective is to enhance the quality of people’s lives and strengthen national competitiveness through innovative and developing agriculture, healthy and safe food for all, and pleasant and attractive rural areas. For more information, please visit http://mafra.go.kr/english

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is a local government of Seoul, responsible for administrative affairs as the capital city of the Republic of Korea. SMG aims to be a coexistent city ensuring a fair, competitive environment and opportunities, a global leading city, a safe city guaranteeing a healthy and secure life, and a world-class smart city. For more information, please visit https://english.seoul.go.kr

About the main sponsor: S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the main sponsors of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna are the leading natural mineral waters in the fine dining world. Together, they interpret the  Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of excellence, pleasure, and well-being.