Thai Street Food
David Thompson
photography EarL Carter
Published by Lantern, H/B $100
Thompson unravelled the intricacies of Thai food millions of devoted cooks with his first book thai food. He could have easily banged out any number of books between 2002 and now, but has chosen instead to work steadfastly towards another book of epic proportions, further explaining the cuisine to which he is so intrinsically entwined and taken on the street food of Thailand.
Thompson never allows for dumbing down and dedicated cooks and professional chefs will most likely find themselves looking for ingredients they have never heard of and most likely never seen or tasted. For most of us this second epic book with be another journey into the Thai kitchen. Street food, particularly in Asia and China, comes in waves according to the time of day and Thompson has cleverly captured the ebb and flow of street life that goes with that food. That single spot that will rotate three times during the hours of a say shared by different stall holdrs and totlly different food.
Add to the wonderful text and recipes the beuutiful images of Thompson’s long–term photographer and friend Earl Carter. Carter’s images add a charm to the book, but also drive a longing to travel again and wander the streets, to eat things never before tasted, to risk a little.
If you are a traveller and have never had this courage to enjoy the soul of a cuisine, the food of the people Thompson’s absolutely brilliant book may inspire you!
Don’t think you’ll wait till Christmas to buy this book, however many the publisher might have risked we suspect it will be out of print in and eye blink!
AO 31, October 2009
going to London make a reservation for David Thompson’s restaurant nahm, the only Thai restaurant ever to have gained a Michelin star click here
