Bio
Keith Kornfeld is a unique breed of New Orleans, Louisiana born Chefs.
After graduating from Brother Martin High School in 1984, Keith struggled as a singer-song writer while working at United Parcel Service for 8 years and attending college part-time. Keith's true dream was to travel the world and meet the people.
In 1992 at 27 years old, Chef Keith entered the professional food industry as a humble prep-cook at Mr. B's Bistro, one of New Orleans busiest and famous kitchens. Now after 20 years of culinary dedication, Executive Chef Keith Kornfeld has overseen multi food & beverage outlets while successfully mentoring 20 international cultures world-wide from New Orleans, Hawaii, Thailand, Maldives, Fiji and New York City, receiving numerous accolades with his Team.
Since 1998, when Keith took his first step on Thailand's soil, his unique mission was born. Keith began photographing the culture and cuisine while learning the food first-hand living amongst the local people and working on his cookbook project.
Keith created his own dream by taking the road less traveled with cuisine. He explored Southeast Asia by every means of transportation from elephant to airplane capturing the details from behind the stove and behind the camera.
Chef Kornfeld began working overseas in 2000 as Executive Sous Chef with The Westin Banyan Tree, Bangkok. This is when his priceless journey as a Chef truly began to blossom while cooking in Five Star Luxury Hotels world-wide. His last appointment as Executive Chef was in Fiji with Fiji's First 5 Star property, The Outrigger on the Lagoon. In 2007, Keith's fine dining restaurant "IVI" Won Best Restaurant of the Year in Fiji.
Prior, Kornfeld served as Executive Chef at The Evason Phuket Resort and Spa Thailand, Coco Palm Resort and Spa Maldives, Executive Sous Chef at The Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers Bangkok where he opened his restaurant "etc" show casing world cuisine.
Between 2006 - 2008, Keith taught Authentic Thai Cuisine to over 1000 guests worldwide with no less than excellent comments regarding his upbeat teaching methods, knowledge, flavors and details.
In 2010, Kornfeld was invited to be Guest Chef at Nahm in London, the only Michelin Star Thai Restaurant in the world to train under Australian Master Thai Chef David Thompson.
While working as Executive Chef in Phuket, Thailand Kornfeld survived the tsunami of 2004 by 45 minutes while swimming and jogging on the beach that early morning. Kornfeld worked closely with his team thereafter to keep morale high as occupancy dropped from 110% to 10% within only two weeks. Keith feels a lucky man to be alive. During this time in Phuket, Kornfeld met his wife Yui who is Thai. Yui has a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and has worked in sales for over 10 years overseeing FOH operations in high volume restaurants in Bangkok and the USA. Yui worked at Nobu 57 NYC, and in the kitchen at Lotus of Siam NYC.
The couple married in Fiji and after a 2 year stint in 2008, Keith and Yui returned to the USA teaching guests Authentic Thai Cuisine in their homes creating a unique fun experience. The couple has shared the stage being invited to do Food TV spots, Charity Events and creating their own product line.
Also in 2010, Chef Keith was Executive Chef in Manhattan, New York City with an Upscale Southeast Asian concept enhancing his reputation while entertaining celebrites and the NYC Media with his ground breaking Southeast Asian flavors, and innovation.
Keith and Yui have returned to Louisiana to share their Cuisine with YOU.
