Chef Toh; "My Vision for the future of Food and Wellness, I have 3 words:- Learning - Practicing and keep Repeating it, passing it on to the next generation."

Meeting Chef Toh during my stay at The Life Co in December 2023, was a real delight. His exceptional generosity and kindness, coupled with an unmatched passion for food and wellness, left an indelible mark on me. Inspired by his commitment to sharing knowledge and experiences to uplift others, I couldn't resist bringing his love for crafting healthy vegan foods to share with you all.

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What inspired you to become a chef and how did you come to work here at the LifeCo Phuket?
Chef Toh:
Being chef was already in my blood since I had to assist my mom in the kitchen when I was young. Yes she was a Thai traditional Chef. What was inspired me to be a vegan chef. My life journey was take me to this position from steward in Raw Vegan Café in Phuket until I became a wellness advisor. Both place is a self-holistic retreat center. I heart about The LifeCo Phuket is more than that. That’s why I apply to work here a LifeCo Phuket since 2018

How did adopting a plant- based lifestyle impact your health, what benefits did you feel and how did it shape your culinary career?
Chef Toh:
After I tried to consume more plant base diet. My digestive system is getting better, Feel energized and clean. Yes when I’m in the Raw vegan kitchen every single day more and more idea about food creation coming up.

Balancing delicious dishes with nutrition is crucial. How do you create meals that are both delicious and nourishing to the body and visually beautiful?
Chef Toh: 
Fake it ya make it! This is my mantra from my guru “Colette Nikerson” Every ingredients can substitute by nuts and plants. All parts of Raw vegan ingredients are slow cook. So, take time and take care. Next is color balance and symmetry. Taste, will not too much strict on the measuring spoon and cup. Do not forget, vegetable, nuts, seasoning, spices are different taste depends on where you planting. So, taste from your tongue every time. Also learn more about nutrition knowledge. (I still not professional but I keep learn more and more)
 

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Who have your greatest mentors in your culinary career?
Chef Toh:  Colette Nikerson

Could you suggest the top 3 essential kitchen tools for creating raw and vegan food and explain why they and vital for those embracing a raw vegan and vegan lifestyle?
Chef Toh: 
1. Food Processor – Yes it can make your life much easier than mortar and pesto and it helps to chop and mix your ingredients very well
2. High speed blender – it help to blend your ingredients to be sauce, cream and also smoothie nicely. High speed blender can blend quicker, quicker than normal blender mean it helps to keep more nutrition in a food also.
3. Dehydrator – highly recommended to get this machine. To prepare a raw vegan food without wrapper, crackers etc. your raw vegan food might me similar like salad.

How does intuition play a role in your cooking and life? 

Chef Toh:

Intuition will make a passion to make a food and also help to understand the situation and deal with a problem smartly.

What is the meaning and purpose of your life, what fulfils you the most?
Chef Toh:
Life is too short. We never know when will happen tomorrow. So, if I want to do something. I will do it immediately. Do my best but any result I get even good or bad, just accept it. Only one thing to fulfill my life is my husband.

What is mindfulness to you and how do you practice it?
Chef Toh:
Understand a present moment and understand a nature. For me to practice this one, meditation is good but more than that try to understand and let the past go.


How do you find balance and inspiration in your life?
Chef Toh:
We can find life balance if we understand a nature. Inspiration will happen when we love something and do it

Vision and Legacy - Looking ahead, what’s your vision for the future of food experiences and holistic wellness? How do you hope your legacy will shape people’s approach in your life?
Chef Toh:
I have 3 words:
- Learning
- Practicing and keep repeating it
- Passing to the next generation

Connect with Chef Toh:
https://th.linkedin.com/in/chatchawarn-mitprasit-bb97b4120

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CONNECT WITH THE LIFE CO - PHUKET:
https://www.thelifeco.com/en/centers/the-lifeco-phuket-holistic-wellness-center

75 M.3, Tambon Sa Khu, Amphoe Thalang, Chang Wat Phuket 83110, Thailand Email: phuket@thelifeco.com https://www.instagram.com/thelifecophuket/

For anyone interested in live cooking demonstrations Chef Toh does these regularly on his instagram account, I encourageyu to follow him there.

By Gaye Gerard December 2023

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