Thanya (Sawadee Food Truck and World Table)

Thanya Crawford - Thanya’s Thai Cooking Parties

When Thanya Crawford was little she’d follow her grandmother to the markets every morning.

“I’d help her choose the food and carry the bags home. After that I’d go off to school for the day.”

Originally from Chiang Mai, in Thailand’s mountainous northern region, famed for its food and cookery schools, she credits her grandmother’s family with her love of cooking.

Thanya now teaches Thai Cooking through her Thai cooking parties and also runs the Sawadee Thai food truck with her husband Doug.

“Food is a lot slower in Thailand,” says Thanya. “You have to cook with love. Sometimes when you try to cook and you’re not happy it won’t come out right.”

Tom Yum Goong is popular the world over and while you can buy the paste to make this soup at home nothing compares to making your own, says Thanya. Get Thanya’s recipes in your copy of World Table, available at Thanya’s demonstration.