ChefTraining Thailand
How Afia Shabbir Honed Her Culinary Craft at the Blue Elephant Restaurant, Bangkok, Thailand
In the world of gastronomy, true mastery often comes from stepping beyond one’s comfort zone and immersing oneself in global culinary traditions. For Alexandra Restaurant’s founder, Afia Shabbir, that journey led her to Bangkok, Thailand — home to one of the world’s most distinguished culinary institutions: the Blue Elephant cooking restaurant & Restaurant.
Blue Elephant is more than a cooking restaurant; it is a cultural institution renowned for preserving and elevating authentic Thai cuisine. Under the leadership of celebrated chefs and master instructors, it blends tradition with contemporary culinary artistry. For Afia, training here was not simply an educational milestone — it was a transformational experience that broadened her culinary horizon and enriched the vision behind Alexandra Restaurant.
Blue Elephant’s teaching philosophy emphasizes authenticity while encouraging each chef to discover their personal creative identity. Afia’s time there strengthened her technical foundation while inspiring her to look at Pakistani cuisine with fresh eyes — exploring new ways to combine local ingredients, international techniques, and refined presentation.
It also gave her a deeper appreciation for the storytelling power of food. Just as Thai cuisine reflects its culture’s heritage and spirit, Afia returned with renewed dedication to celebrate Pakistan’s culinary identity with the same integrity and passion.
