Dusit International partners with leading Thai educational and culinary institutes

Dusit International is set to expand its hospitality education business in Thailand with a unique joint venture for which it has partnered with educational and culinary institutes to develop the country's first academy of gastronomy with business incubation facilities, The Food School. With 3,200 sq m of space, it will offer experiential training in Italian, Japanese and Thai cuisines in a state-of-the-art facility in Bangkok. It is set to open in Q1 2022.

Equity partners in the THB 336 million development include Dusit International; Glowfish Co-working Space (under privately owned real estate investment company, Heritage Estates Co., Ltd.); Allied Metals, and La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana (ALMA). Designed to provide an innovative, progressive and experiential learning environment, and targeted at young professionals, keen amateurs, career-switchers, and entrepreneurs seeking to get the best possible start for their food and beverage businesses, The Food School will bring together three globally recognised institutions - including Dusit's own Dusit Thani College; Japan's renowned Tsuji Culinary Institute; and ALMA. Each will offer long-course modules in Thai cuisine, Japanese cuisine, and Italian cuisine and bakery, respectively. 

“The Food School aims to create a vibrant, dynamic and collaborative ecosystem that brings together Thailand's food community to drive positive social, environmental, and economic developments in the food and beverage industry at large. Three clear highlights set The Food School apart as a unique proposition in Bangkok. First, it is the first mover in the market to offer multi-cuisine training and business incubation all under one roof. Second, its Test Kitchen facilities will provide an unrivalled opportunity for experienced or fledgling chefs and savvy entrepreneurs to trial new concepts, receive advice on these concepts from seasoned industry experts, and tap into Thailand's dynamic food and beverage market. Third, the Food School will play an active role in the food and beverage community by hosting regular events that bring together key industry players to discuss the latest trends, evaluate concepts, and brainstorm the way ahead for established and upcoming food and beverage businesses alike,” said Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International.

“By responding to the professional needs of the market in the new normal, fully leveraging Dusit's rich experience in providing hospitality education for more than 20 years, and offering direct access to mentorship from celebrated chefs and well-known restaurateurs in Thailand, and later globally, we look forward to helping The Food School's students, entrepreneurial associates, and community supporters to fulfil their potential with services, facilities and hands-on learning specially created to equip them for success in the brighter post-Covid-19 days ahead,” said Suthumpun.

"The highlight of The Food School facility is the design of kitchen classrooms that fosters teamwork and collaboration among peers. Our facility is equipped with eco-friendly equipment which is energy-efficient, user-friendly, and versatile. Kitchens at The Food School are truly state of the art. We are delighted that our innovative solutions will contribute to the sustainable development of culinary talents in Thailand by facilitating maximum productivity with minimal environmental impact,” said Prim Jitcharoongphorn, Chairperson, Executive Board, Allied Metals.