{"id":29127,"date":"2023-09-29T09:29:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T07:29:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/?p=29127"},"modified":"2024-05-28T11:37:22","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T09:37:22","slug":"real-street-food","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/ballito-umhlanga\/blog\/2023\/09\/29\/real-street-food\/","title":{"rendered":"REAL STREET FOOD"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chef Goo Imthawin serves up authentic Thai flavours inspired by the street vendors of his home country.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The eldest of three, Goo was always in the family kitchen. Even as a little boy, he offered a helping hand as his aunt cooked \u2013 grinding chilli, picking basil and learning a passion for food along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"Born in Bangkok, Thailand, Goo moved to South Africa when he was 14 years old. He started his career working at Bangkok Wok in Durban, a restaurant that belonged to a family friend, and by the time he was 20, he had taken on the position as head chef.
\nHe spent the next few years cooking up a storm, eventually opening his own restaurant in Florida Road in 2006. And then, in 2010, he returned to Thailand to train as a monk \u2013 a rite of passage that all Thai men must go through as an act of gratitude to their parents. He loved the experience and the opportunity to connect with Thai culture, and spent several months in the mountains and jungles of Sahatsakhan in Kalasin, a province in the north eastern part of the country. \u201cMy family wanted me to stay and be a monk for good, but there was no chance!\u201d he laughs.
\nGoo returned to South Africa, and eager to continue a career in cooking, decided to undergo some formal training at the Hilton Hotel in Durban. There he learnt to cook international dishes, and fell in love with creating desserts. He also completed an online course through the HTA School of Culinary Art in Johannesburg, and after qualifying, took on the role as sous-chef at the Hilton.<\/p>\n

Since then, Goo has gained valuable experience in the local culinary scene, having worked at the Pearls in Umhlanga, Waterfront Hotel, Onomo Hotel, and Beachwood Country Club in Durban. He says he has always loved the world of food and hospitality and the opportunity it has given him to meet and connect with people. \u201cOur customers often become our friends,\u201d he smiles.<\/p>\n