The Australia Thailand Institute and the Thai Embassy in Australia partnered with Tasmania's Guilford Young College in August, to deliver an imaginative culinary program in the north and south of the state, aimed at enhancing skills in preparing Thai cuisine. Local chefs, apprentices and hospitality students in secondary colleges received first-hand tuition from three senior Thai cooking instructors.

"Thai Kitchen to the World" culminated in a reception catered and served by students from the course, attended by the Thai Ambassador to Australia Maris Sangiampongsa, Tasmanian Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockcliff.

"Establishing strong people-to-people links is one of the main foundations in any bilateral relationship," Ambassador Sangiampongsa said. "My officers will continue to look for opportunities to support cultural exchanges, particularly in regional parts of Australia."

The initiative received strong support from commercial sponsors, with the Thai Embassy thanking Thai Airways International, Tangola, and Tourism Authority of Thailand for their continuous support, along with Singha Corporation and Thai Trade in Sydney.

The week-long program at the college's Glenorchy and Hobart campuses was intense, involving two three-hour classes a day for the college students, along with information sessions with industry and education peak bodies.

The participants broadened their cultural awareness and were taught a range of skills such as ingredient identification with a focus on local produce, menu planning, various methods of cookery, and insights into the cultural importance of food preparation in Thailand.

The Thai chefs, Associate Professor Malee Muakkul and Mrs Kanokwan Plasila from Chiangrai Rajabhat University, and Miss Chachaya Raktakanista, Manager and Director of Suan Dusit International Culinary School also taught industry apprentices and chefs at night following the daytime schedule.