Chawadee Nualkhair

Food writer

Biography

A freelance journalist specializing in food writing, Chawadee Nualkhair has lived in Thailand on and off since 1995. She currently lives in Bangkok with her husband and two children. Chawadee can claim expertise in her chosen field because she has been eating all her life. Her latest book, the third edition of “Thailand’s Top Street Food”, comes out at the end of this year.

The Principles of Thai Cookery

Chef McDang

This is the standard for anybody who loves Thai food but doesn’t know where to begin. It taught me almost everything I know about Thai food.

The Moosewood Cookbook

Mollie Katzen

I got my first copy at 18, when I didn’t know a thing about vegetarian cooking. Now that I have many more plant-based days in my week, I use it from time to time and get comfort from the hand-drawn recipes.

The Silver Palate Cookbook

Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins

The very first cookbook I ever bought for myself. I used to read through it at night before bed, fantasizing about the stews and tarts I would someday make. I still make the chili for a crowd!

Practical Kitchen Work: The Basic Arts of Cooking

Michel Maincent

I got a copy of this book when I went to cooking school at Ferrandi. We called it the “brown book” and had to study it like a bible. It’s still a great resource when I want to make something classically French.

Plenty

Yotam Ottolenghi

Although I have quite a few of his books, I always go back to this one. When I first got it, it really opened my eyes to what vegetarian food could be. I love all of the recipes.

Coconut & Sambal: Recipes from my Indonesian Kitchen

Lara Lee

I recently got this book and have to say I’m really enjoying it, having known almost nothing about Indonesian food beforehand. The recipes are easy to follow and delicious.

Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art

Shizuo Tsuji

This book is comprehensive and the recipes are super clear. It’s everything you need to know about Japanese food in one book.

New Flavours of the Vietnamese Table

Mai Pham

I got this book from a friend and just love reading it. I especially like the comforting soup recipes and like to make them when I feel down.

The Great American Cookbook: Favorite Foods from Every State

Clementine Paddleford

Having grown up in America, I miss the food from time to time. You cannot get a more comprehensive look at regional recipes than this book.

The Wiseguy Cookbook

Henry Hill

I’ll admit it — I use this cookbook A LOT, especially for the tomato sauce and the meatballs. I love Italian-American food. I also think “Goodfellas” is one of the best food movies of all time.