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Thai-American Charity Waltenbaugh grew up in the charming wine country of Oregon in the United States. Her early life among the fruit orchards, historic towns, craft breweries and farms of the Willamette Valley didn’t initially inspire her to get into wine, but the environment certainly defines who she is today a fitness enthusiast, avid cross country runner and lover of the great outdoors. After moving to California, first Los Angeles and then later the Bay Area, Charity started working in restaurants and was persuaded by a certified master sommelier to take the Wine and Spirit Education Trust’s level 2 qualification. Today she puts her skills to good use at Ekamai eatery Cadence by chef Dan Bark, himself a Korean-American intent on showcasing a progressive culinary style. The wines Charity curates for the restaurant encompass comfortingly familiar Old World labels but also New World upstarts packed with explosive flavours and interesting textures.
While Bangkok dominated the top categories, dining venues in Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phang-Nga were also recognized in the latest edition of the Michelin Guide Thailand.
PRU is Phuketâs sole Michelin-starred restaurant. (All photos courtesy of Michelin Guides)
Facing a year of unprecedented challenges amid a pandemic that has devastated their industry, restaurants in Thailand persevered, delivering a high level of fine dining and diversity. That was the hopeful message at a glitzy awards ceremony marking the release of the 2021 Michelin Guide Thailand.
Nearly 300 restaurants are honored with stars or other rankings in the guideâs latest edition. The awardsâincluding the new Green Star for sustainability, which went to Phuketâs Pru; and Best Young Chef, snagged by Sujira Pongmorn of Saawaanâwere presented December 16 in the ballroom of the just-opened Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, an expansive hotel and residence complex set on the banks of the Chao Phraya Ri