On the Grill

  

With Chef Parichat Poomkajorn - Pink Elephant Thai

Chef Parichat Poomkajorn immigrated to Canada from Thailand in 2000 and immediately began working with the Thai House Restaurant Group, becoming executive chef at their Robson Street location and ultimately, opening the group’s latest restaurant, Pink Elephant Thai, as executive chef in 2011.

Parichat is noted for creating exceptional broths, the base for her delicious noodle soups such as Keaw Teaw Moo with ground pork, prawns, crispy bacon and ground peanuts.

Three words to describe your cuisine:
Spicy, interesting and intense

Your signature dish:
Braised pork hock; it’s marinated with a secret blend of Thai herbs, then slow cooked and served on a bed of spinach.

The dish customers must try during Dine Out?
Grilled free-range duck best served with spicy chili and garlic sauce.

Best thing about Dine Out Vancouver?
It is such a great deal that it brings people from all over the Lower Mainland out to try new restaurants that they might otherwise not get to.

What is one thing in your kitchen you could not live without?
My team is irreplaceable.

One ingredient you could not cook without?
Fresh Thai chili

Who is the unsung hero in your kitchen?
The dishwasher is always the hardest working person in any kitchen.

Who inspired you to become a chef?
My Mother, she is also my best friend. I use many of her recipes to this day including the Panang curry that is on the menu at Pink Elephant Thai.

Your first job:
I oversaw a factory in Thailand

If you could give just one cooking tip, what would it be?
Smile while you cook - love what you are doing, take your time and enjoy yourself.

A talent you possess that many are unaware of?
I love to sing. Well actually, anyone who knows me is well aware of that. I sing all the time, even in the kitchen at work and definitely at home.

Your favourite activities/hobbies, when not in the kitchen? Just socializing with friends, but come to think of it that usually involves some kind of food because friends and food just go together.

What is your all-time favourite dish?
Pad Keemao, stir fried rice noodles with my favourite Thai chili, bell peppers, onions and lots of fresh basil. I think it’s a nice alternative to the incredible popular Pad Thai

One dish you never care to see on the menu again?
Pad Num Mun, a beef dish with oyster sauce.

Most over-rated dish:
Pad Thai!

Most under-rated vegetable:
Chayote, it’s a type of squash that is shaped like a pear. You can cook it, or enjoy it raw in salads.

Most under used spice:
White pepper

Last restaurant you visited:
Landmark Hot Pot on Cambie Street, it’s close to home and, near where I live.

Who is your favourite local chef?
Pino Posteraro of Cioppino’s. I secretly love Italian food!

Favourite Celebrity Chef?
Since we are talking celebrities here, I really get a kick out of Gordon Ramsay.

Favourite bartender?
Tommy at Pink Elephant Thai, ask him for the Pink Elephant Martini.

Favourite farmer’s market:
Trout Lake for an actual farmers market, but I still love Granville Island best of all.

Favourite foodie?
I am a fan of anyone who loves and appreciates great food.

A talent you possess that many are unaware of:
I am an excellent dancer. Just don’t make me sing and dance at the same time!

One thing about you your mother does not know?
This is crazy, but she doesn’t know that I drink…at all.

A person you most admire?
My mother. She’s a saint!

Your biggest indulgence:
Every once in a while I like to go out for a really extravagant dinner.

Biggest regret:
I wish that I had spent more time with my father before he passed away.

Best place for Chinese food:
Kirin Restaurant.

Best family restaurant:
Any Cactus Club Restaurant

Best bar/lounge:
OPUS is still going strong.

Best breakfast place:
Wendy’s, near my house

Biggest celebrity you have cooked for:
A certain Vancouver Canuck

If you could pick anyone, who would you’d like to sit down and have a meal with?
Oprah Winfrey is such an inspiration.

Last $20 bucks, how would you spend it?
On groceries! I have two young twins to feed.

Pink Elephant Thai
1152 Alberni Street, Vancouver
604-646-8899
www.pinkelephantthai.com