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Jay Fai, Bangkok Michelin-starred crab omelette chef, denies she's retiring & closing restaurant
The 81-year-old said she is still strong despite her age.
October 30, 2024, 03:46 PM
Jay Fai, the 81-year-old chef famous for her crab omelette at her one Michelin star eatery in Bangkok, has denied she is planning on retiring in 2025.
She said on Oct. 29 that the story was blown out of proportion in response to a comment she made during a UN refugee fundraising event.
According to Khaosod English and The Bangkok Post, Fai reportedly responded that she had some plans in mind when asked at the function about her thoughts on retirement.
Fai confirmed she would continue running her business and explained that the response was blown out of proportion.
She added she still had many international commitments, which meant it was "impossible" since she was still bound by those outstanding arrangements.
Fai said she was still strong despite her age, and that she could still stand and cook comfortably for about 15 hours a day.
The 81-year-old had recently begun gradually scaling back operations, from initially only closing on Sundays to running the restaurant for just four days a week.
Earned a Michelin star in 2018
Fai's restaurant, known for its crab meat omelette, rose to fame after she earned a Michelin star in the first Michelin Guide in 2018 covering Bangkok.
Other famous dishes include curry powder stir-fried crab, clear tom yum seafood soup with giant prawns, and drunken noodles with seafood.
Described as having lifted the reputation of street food to the international level, celebrities all around the world have come to her little stall to taste her famous food.
These celebrities include Blackpink's Lisa, British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, and Alibaba founder Jack Ma.
Following news of the supposed closure of Fai's restaurant, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she intended to dine at the stall before its closure, according to The Bangkok Post.
Fai told Thai news outlets that she was very honoured and would gladly welcome the prime minister to her small eatery.
Top image via @jayfaibangkok/Instagram
