COMPETITOR

Kam Rai thai

HEAD COOK: Dhanapol Marprasert

COMPETITION: World Noodle Championship

Dhanapol Marprasert (Chef Oak), born in Washington, D.C. to a Thai army attaché family, moved to Bangkok in 1994, where he developed a passion for Thai cooking. Though holding a Diploma in Business Computer, his true calling led him to the culinary world, where he honed his skills from a pot washer to a professional chef. His extensive experience spans kitchens in Bangkok, Nashville, and New York City. In 2014, Chef Oak ventured to Tennessee, challenging himself before making his mark in New York. By 2020, he founded his first restaurant, Makin in Middle Village, New York, offering delicious and affordable Thai dishes. His second restaurant, KAM RAI THAI in Astoria, New York, allowed Chef Oak to challenge conventional notions of "authentic" Thai taste, asserting that taste is fluid and subjective, and creating contemporary Thai dishes by blending techniques from other cultures. His culinary excellence is widely recognized, boasting numerous awards, including the 2025 Tongue Thai-Ed Award and Petty Yummy Thing Award. In 2024, he secured "Best in Show" for grilled pork jowl and triumphed in the Rapid Fire Competition at the International Restaurant and Food Expo. His accolades also include a 2023 Metro NYC Start-Up "Dish Triumph" award for Kam Rai Thai, and runner-up honors for international sauces and "Best in Show - Thai BBQ," reflecting his notable interest in and talent for barbecue. Now, with the opening of Samsaen in Hudson Yards, Chef Oak marks his first Manhattan restaurant. Here, he aims to present a bold and refined interpretation of Thai cuisine. The menu at Samsaen will reflect his upbringing, extensive travels, and decades of experience in kitchens spanning Bangkok, Tennessee, and New York, ultimately honoring Thai culture while simultaneously pushing its boundaries.