Celebrated Australian chef David Thompson, the mastermind behind Thai restaurants Nahm (Bangkok) and Long Chim (Singapore), will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Diners Club, at this month's San Pellegrino’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

Known for his traditionalist approach to Thai food, Thompson has built his reputation on in-depth knowledge of local ingredients and recipes. His passion for Thai food began in 1986 when on holiday in Thailand. Thompson then launched several Thai restaurants in Sydney, Australia, before making a big mark by opening Nahm in London in 2001—which became the first Thai restaurant to receive a coveted Michelin star. And in 2010, he moved the restaurant to Bangkok.

Nahm is a regular fixture at the pointy end of both the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants lists, the latter of which it topped in 2014. 

On top of his cooking career, Thompson also spreads his comprehensive knowledge of Thai food in his two books, Thai Food (2002) and Street Food (2010),  as well as the 13-episode TV series Thai Street Food with David Thompson (2014).

In response to the award, Thrompson said, “Usually I am rather embarrassed by awards but to receive something as significant as this, voted for by my peers in the industry, does indeed make me proud and grateful. I still have the same joy in cooking as I had when I first began. It is a timeless pleasure for me, so I feel very lucky.”

The award is voted by over 300 leaders in the restaurant and culinary industries throughout Asia and will be presented to him at this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants awards ceremony on Feb 29 at W Hotel in Bangkok.