The Swedish Restaurant at IKEA EmSphere Bangkok, set the bar high on Tuesday 24 of March, by inviting the Thai Chef Ian Pongtawat Chalermittichai to prepare a Swedish fine dining experience.
Two very special dishes with signature sauces, created by the Chef himself in front of the audience.
Black Cod with White Wine Sauce and the beloved Swedish, very basic dish Meatballs, usually served with mashed potatoes and cranberries, but this time with an exclusive Truffle Sauce, made of Bechamel, Cream, Truffle, Truffle paste, Parmesan cheese and Spices, served with a potato/vegetable cake, cocktail tomatoes and decorated with parsley.
This afternoon, quite a large group of Thai media, influencers and bloggers, including myself as the only foreigner, had the chance to watch Chef Ian add a special finishing touch to the above-mentioned dishes, while also explaining how the right spices can transform everyday home cooking into something truly exceptional.
Some facts about Chef Ian
- Ian was born on January 27, 1968 in Krungthep (Bangkok). He is known, simply as, Ian Kittichai.
- He is not only a popular Chef, but also a restaurateur, a TV personality and he has written several cookbooks.
- He is said to have brought the modern Thai cuisine to an international audience.
- He became the first Thai Executive Chef of the five-star international hotel Four Seasons in Bangkok.
- Despite his quite young age, he has opened and operated restaurants in New York, Singapore, as well in Bangkok.
- His restaurant Issaya Siamese Club, (located at 4 Soi Sri Aksorn, Sathorn) is listed among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
- He is known for blending “traditional Thai flavors with modern, global techniques”.
- He has been part of the Judge on Master Chef Thailand and even appeared on Iron Chef Thailand and America.
- One can say, his interest in food and cooking started already in a very young age when he helped his mother to sell curry from a street cart in Bangkok.
- He is trained in London and Sydney and is very knowledgeable and well-versed in French cuisine. He has received many awards and is seen as one of Thailand’s most internationally recognized Chefs.
I had a short conversation with Chef Ian, asking him if he had ever visited Sweden and his answer was: “YES, I have been to Stockholm and I visited Restaurant Frantzen (one of Sweden’s 3 Michelin-stars restaurants) and I was very impressed. I also loved your wild salmon and seafood” he told me.
The idea behind IKEA’s concept and its venture into “fine-dining“ is to guide and inspire us to transform our everyday meals into a daily experience and of course to visit IKEA’s restaurant and try it out, starting April 1 until June 30, 2026.
Now it’s simply up to each of us to go home and give it a try or visit IKEA,
It’s all up to you.
Bon appetit!
Smaklig måltid!
