Justin Dunne on Bangkok's Red-Hot Culinary Scene [S8.E2]

Greg interviews repeat guest Justin Dunne, who previously
appeared on Season 6, Episode 24, discussing his cool side
project 'Bangkok Haunts.' Justin's main gig is to be a legend of
the Food & Beverage scene in Bangkok, having been the GM of
the epic Bed Supperclub back in the day, and many more bars and
restaurants between then and now. Oh yeah, he's also the head of
F&B consultancy Evolution48. 


The guys begin by discussing Bangkok's rise in status as a
culinary capital. Justin contends there are many factors, not
least of which is Bangkok's ability to capture Michelin ratings,
which is a traditional way to get on the international stage for
great food. Another explanation is the shift in Bangkok away from
the previous sole emphasis on street food to more diverse,
upscale offerings. And last, food shows on TV and the Internet,
including high-profile foodies such as Anthony Bourdain, had an
effect.


Justin also mentions other significant milestones in the
development of the food scene in Bangkok. One is the shift
towards employing both Burmese and Filipino staff, which helped
change the customer service culture more towards an international
standard. Another is the rise of food delivery services and the
embrace of technology, such as QR codes, which have reduced the
friction points so much that the motivation for cooking at home
is reduced. In short, Bangkok has a restaurant culture where a
high percentage of people from all walks of life are either
eating out or ordering in. Combined with relatively low prices
compared to other international capitals, you have the recipe for
a food paradise.


 


Don't forget that Patrons get the ad-free version of the show as
well as swag and other perks. We also sometimes post on Facebook,
you can contact us on LINE and of course, head to our website
(www.bangkokpodcast.com) to find out probably more info than you
need to know.