Thai Michelin-starred cook Jay Fai announces retirement next year
Beloved cook of the Michelin-starred eatery, Jay Fai, has announced her plans to retire in 2025.
Her restaurant Jay Fai Pratu Phi, located at the Samran Rat intersection in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, is renowned for its wok-cooked seafood cuisine, attracting both locals and tourists.
For seven consecutive years, it has earned a Michelin star, a testament to its enduring quality and taste. Among its most famous dishes are the crab omelette and drunken noodles.
The famed cook’s retirement means her iconic restaurant will also soon close its doors.
Plans to retire due to tiredness & high costs of ingredients
According to Komchadluek’s report on Monday (28 Oct), 81-year-old Ms Supinya Junsuta, aka Jay Fai, shared that she plans to retire in 2025.
Source: @jayfaibangkok on Instagram
In an interview posted on TikTok, she cited fatigue from work as one of the reasons for her decision to retire. Additionally, she said that the rising costs of fresh and quality ingredients had made it harder to source them, making it difficult to run the business.
She had intended to retire at 80 but was encouraged to reduce her workload instead of retiring immediately.
Initially, she closed her business only on Sundays but later expanded the closure to include Sundays and Mondays, claiming that her staff was also experiencing fatigue from working.
She later decided to operate her business four days a week, from Wednesdays to Saturdays.
However, after reaching the age of 81, she finally decided it was time to quit.
Willing to share cooking recipes with those interested
When asked why her daughter will not be taking over the family business, Jay Fai remarked that she has always prepared each dish herself and does not want her original flavours to be changed.
She also shared her willingness to pass on her techniques and recipes to other people who are interested in learning.
Following her decision to retire, Ms Thapanee Kiatphaiboo, the Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), expressed sadness about the closure of the renowned restaurant.
She said that Jay Fai’s closure would be a significant loss, as the restaurant has long served as a form of soft power, promoting tourism and Thai cuisine on a global scale, reports Khaosod.
Also read: Bukit Merah lor mee stall closes & elderly owner retires as rent more than doubles
Bukit Merah lor mee stall closes & elderly owner retires as rent more than doubles
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Featured image adapted from @jayfaibangkok on Instagram and Google Maps.
