Thitid 'Ton' Tassanakajohn

Le Du, Bangkok

The only Thai chef with two restaurants on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list

Thitid Tassanakajohn, more widely known as Chef Ton, is one of Thailand's most influential contemporary chefs and a driving force behind Bangkok's modern Thai dining movement. Born and raised in Bangkok, his passion for cooking was shaped early by the punchy flavours of his mother's and grandmother's home-cooked meals. These formative experiences instilled in him a deep respect for traditional Thai cuisine, which continues to define his culinary philosophy.

Initially, Chef Ton pursued a very different path. After earning a degree in economics from Chulalongkorn University, he began working in finance. But he couldn't escape his love of food, so he moved to the United States to study at the Culinary Institute of America, where he graduated top of his class. He later completed an MBA in hospitality at Johnson & Wales University, equipping himself with both culinary mastery and business acumen.

Over the years he has worked in some of New York's most celebrated kitchens, including Eleven Madison Park (The World's Best Restaurant 2017), The Modern and Jean-Georges. Alongside his culinary training, he developed a serious interest in wine, earning certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Returning to Thailand, Chef Ton set out to bring Thai cuisine to the global stage. In 2013, he opened Le Du, named after the Thai word for 'season', where he showcases seasonal local ingredients through modern techniques. The restaurant achieved the No.1 spot on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023. He later expanded his vision with Nusara, which he runs alongside his brother, Chaisiri 'Tam' Tassanakajohn.

Beyond the kitchen, Chef Ton is a respected authority in Thailand's culinary scene, serving as a judge on television programmes such as Top Chef Thailand and Kitchen War Thailand. Through his restaurants, mentorship and media presence, he continues to redefine Thai cuisine, honouring its heritage while boldly pushing it into the future. He has now been named the winner of the Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award, as part of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026.

The Inedit Damm Chefs' Choice Award is the only peer-voted accolade in the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants programme. It honours a chef who has made a positive contribution to the global culinary scene over the last year, as chosen by the teams behind the restaurants in this year's list.

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