On 17 September 2026, the Royal Thai Embassy in London, in collaboration with the Association of Thai Businesses in the UK (ATBUK) and Chichester College, hosted “An Authentic Thai Cuisine Showcase Dinner in London: Featuring the Creations of the Students of Chichester College” at Platapian Soho in London. The event was organised as part of the Embassy’s Educational Network Initiative to Promote Thai Cuisine in the UK.

          Distinguished guests included Ms. Seema Malhotra MP, Member of Parliament for Feltham and Heston, as the guest of honour; Ms. Helen Loftus, Principal of Chichester College; teachers and students from Chichester College; representatives from West London College; Ms. Saipin Saiswang, Chairperson of ATBUK; members of ATBUK; officials of the Royal Thai Embassy; and representatives of Team Thailand in London, with approximately 60 participants.

          On this occasion, H.E. Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Ambassador of Thailand to the UK, delivered welcoming remarks praising the cooperation between ATBUK and Chichester College in promoting education and skills development in Thai cuisine, particularly by connecting classroom learning with practical experience in the Thai restaurant and hospitality industry in the UK. Such cooperation contributes to enhancing students’ culinary skills while preserving the standards and authenticity of Thai cuisine, and addressing the demand for skilled Thai culinary professionals in the UK. The Ambassador also highlighted that 2026 is the “Thailand-UK Year of Education Partnership”, during which the Royal Thai Embassy places strong emphasis on strengthening educational cooperation between Thailand and the UK at all levels. The initiative represents a concrete example of collaboration among Thai and UK educational institutions, Thai businesses, professional chefs and students, connecting education and training with practical industry experience.

          During the event, students from Chichester College, shared their experiences from training and study visit on Thai cuisine at Kanchanaburi Vocational College, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, and gave a Som Tum (Thai papaya salad) demonstration. The demonstration was joined by Thai chefs and Thai restaurant professionals as well as guests. Moreover, guests also enjoyed a selection of Thai dishes prepared by the chefs at Platapian Soho, one of the Thai restaurants in the UK certified under the Thai SELECT programme, which recognises restaurants that meet standards of quality and authenticity in Thai cuisine.

          The initiative builds on the Authentic Thai Cuisine Showcase Dinner at Chichester College on 7 May 2026, under the collaboration between ATBUK and Chichester College. The inaugural Thai cuisine showcase event subsequently led to a training and a study visit to Thailand for the students, allowing them to further develop their knowledge and skills as well as expand their horizon about Thailand and Thai culture. The Royal Thai Embassy looks forward to further strengthening this cooperation and expanding the culinary initiative network to other educational institutions in the UK, including West London College, to further promote education and professional skills development in Thai cuisine and
the promotion of Thai food industry in the UK.