How a Southern Girl Became a Thai Foodie
Before going to college at UNC-Chapel Hill, I had never eaten much ethnic food. I was from Waxhaw, NC, need I say more?
One day at college, my Thai friend at UNC invited me to go with her to a Thai restaurant. I assumed it would taste like Chinese buffet food: I had low expectations.
But after my first bite of khaw pad supparod, my life changed forever.
Stir fried rice with chicken and pineapple is more of an American creation than Thai, but that bite was so full of spice, sweetness and savory tingles that my tongue knew it was in heaven and never wanted to leave.
So I didn’t. I chose to move to Thailand after graduating UNC, mainly so I could eat cheap, spicy, sweet, sour, tangy, perfect Thai food every day.
While teaching in Bangkok for two years, I ate spicy street food to my heart’s content. It was in this land of food enchantment at the church I attended, Newsong Bangkok, that I met Dominic, the hottest of all Thai men.
We married across the sparkling river from Thailand’s Grand Palace, and of course had a Thai feast celebration with our family and friends. Check out the long version of our love story here 🙂
How I Was Forced to Become A Thai Cook
Then two years after my arrival in Thailand, we left and moved back to Waxhaw, NC.
In Thailand, I never had a kitchen since most studios don’t. The street food is so cheap and delicious, why make your own?
America is not the same. But non-existent Thai street vendors forced me to learn how to cook Thai—it was the only way for us to get it every day.
Thai Hubby taught me all the Thai cooking skills he learned from his grandma, I studied Thai cooking websites whose authenticity was Hubby-approved, and I cooked and cooked until I was able to create food not only my Thai Hubby loves, but my Thai mother-n-law loves too!!
How You Can Also be a Thai Food Magician
Before I learned how to cook Thai food, in the back of my mind I thought every Thai cook was a magician who somehow threw food together in a wok, waved their wands over it, said the magic Thai words and suddenly appeared a creation with the perfect combination of flavors.
I never thought me, a Southern girl, could learn Thai food’s secret potions and tricks.
But I have, sort of. I’m in the learning process, but my Thai husband, who like most Thais isn’t afraid to be honest, says he loves my Thai food. I feel like that says something right?
And now we have four Thai-Foodie kiddos who love our Thai food too!
This site is for all Thai-Foodies, for those who yearn to learn the magic behind Thai food, discover what Thai restaurants do it right, and see how Thai culture fits into it all. I hope to help, inspire, and teach you, so that together we can savor the wonder and magic behind Thai food!
Want to learn even more about our love story, Bangkok travel tips, Thai street food, and how to travel internationally with kids? Check out my interview on the Our Food Adventures podcast!
Beautiful!
Thanks Ebsy! 🙂
I’m looking forward to more!
It’s coming! Our site will only get better and better. Thanks for your support Monika 🙂
Oh man, I am beaming with pride over you Sherri! This is so so so cool! You started a food blog, I love food blogs!!! Keep it coming girl!
Thanks so much for your love and support Ro!! 🙂
Yeah Sherrrrii!!!
I’m excited to try your recipes sometime!!! Please include some vegetarian dish as well love!
I can’t wait for you to try them too! Leave out any of the meat and add tofu to the recipes I’ve already listed, and you’ve got a yummy vegetarian dish. I also have some delicious veggie dishes on their way too!
Never mind my previous question. Found the answer. Fantastic. You know the love of Thailand well!
Thanks Lana! Yup, head over heels in love…:)
What a sweet and adventurous story. And congrats on Family member #3 🙂
Thanks so much! We are so happy to have little Rocco join our Thai-Foodie fam 🙂
Hi there! I just wanted to drop by and say “hi” because I love your site and I love your recipes! My husband and I got engaged in Thailand so your site is just really taking me back, just in time for Valentine’s day 🙂
Hi Anetta! How special! I’m so glad my site is bringing you back to when you got engaged in Thailand! I hope you make something Thai on Valentine’s Day and reminisce 🙂
Sherri! I love, love, love your blog! I need to learn more recipes to cook, so I’ll be checking in as much as I can!
Thanks so much sweet Hanah! Let me know how your cooking goes! I wish you were here for me to make you Thai food!
Wow! So inspiring and powerful.
Can’t wait to catch up on all your posts 🙂
Thanks Dayna! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Thanks Dayna! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
As a Thai American, I am so happy to have come across your website. Your about section completely makes me happy and I love the fact that Thailand has captivated you in ways that could only be imagined. Thank you for this site! I’ll be checking back often for recipes!
Thanks so much for your comment Natalie! Thailand has totally captivated me, and will always be one of my homes. I hope you will enjoy the recipes and that they will take you back to sweet memories of Thailand!
Great blog, Sherry! People’s knowledge about Thailand and its wonderful food has come a long way (I’m a 40-something Luk Kreung who grew up in NJ surrounded by ignorant folk)! Keep showing everyone the way with this blog! PS. Rocco is absolutely suay!
Aww, thanks for your kind comment Anne about our blog and Rocco! I’m so glad that Thai food has come a long way, and we will love that we get to be part of teaching everyone about legit Thai food 🙂
Your family is lovely and you are a fantastic cook! Keep posting!
Thanks so much Julie! You are so encouraging 🙂
I learned about your blog from your husband today. We have been working at the same office location now for a few years. Frequently, during the lunch hour in our office kitchen, I have commented to him how wonderful his lunches always smell! Today I finally asked him if it would be possible for me to get one or two of your recipes. He directed me here! I love to cook but have never tried cooking Thai meals, so I printed your Pad See Ew and Pad Thai recipes. Thank you! I loved reading your stories and am inspired by your love for family, faith and cooking Thai food. Your are blessed in more ways than one.
Hi Belinda! My husband mentioned that you wanted to make some of my recipes after seeing the food I make him, and I felt so honored! You are so kind, and hope you enjoy your new adventure of making Thai food!
We loved the cooking class Sherri! Thanks so much for teaching us some of the tricks of the trade and introducing us to some amazing (and yes, a bit weird) ingredients. The food was delicious and we have plans to try out the recipes with our friends. Looking forward to a round two at some point with new dishes (once we have perfected the coconut soup, Pad Thai and sticky rice!).
My pleasure Marta! Thanks for coming and bringing you dear friends too!