Charlie Amatyakul (often spelled Chalie) was a celebrated Thai chef, culinary instructor, and author known as a champion of authentic Thai cuisine. He notably founded the Thai Cooking School at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok in 1986 and authored the acclaimed book, The Best of Thai Cooking. Hailing from an aristocratic family, he learned traditional, palace-style cooking, which heavily influenced his culinary approach. He was recognized as a flamboyant and expert instructor who taught the complexities of Thai flavor profiles—balancing spicy, sour, sweet, and salty—to international students. He passed away after establishing himself as a significant figure in promoting traditional Thai cooking techniques, with his methods continued by many chefs. He is often cited as a legendary figure who brought authentic, royal-influenced Thai dishes to the forefront of culinary education.