In the last couple of years India has been on the radar of some of the best chefs from across the world. From Massimo Bottura to Daniel Humm, Alain Passard to Marco Pierre White, some of the most celebrated international chefs have not only showcased their exquisite culinary skills to our people but have in turn been extremely inspired by India's varied and rich gastronomic heritage.
A few months ago Bangkok-based Sühring Twins, Michelin-starred Chefs Thomas and Mathias Sühring, made their way to Delhi on their maiden culinary trip to the Indian capital. They were in town for a 3-day pop-up at the Taj Mahal, New Delhi where they served some of the signature dishes of their eponymous award-winning restaurant in Bangkok, Sühring. Sühring is currently ranked #4 Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, and #1 on Top Tables Bangkok for two consecutive years - A remarkable feat for a restaurant within two years of its opening {Sühring opened in February 2016}.
We caught up with Thomas and Mathias Sühring over a quick tete e tete before tasting some of their fabulous dishes including the smoked lamb that was introduced at their restaurant just two weeks prior to this trip. Here are some excerpts from our chat:
On a serious note, what are the advantages for you siblings to be working together; what are your individual strengths?
Thomas is a great partner because he likes to get things done and yet, is not too pushy. I can trust him 100 percent, both as family and a business partner.
Mathias is very patient and is always on time.
When I got this job I was excited to move to a different country, a different continent even after years of working in Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. But my only condition was that Mathias should also be given a job along with me.
Thomas and Mathias: After working at lebua for seven years, Gaggan {Chef Gaggan Anand} motivated us to open our own restaurant. Businesswise it was the right decision since Bangkok has undergone a drastic change in the four-five years - with an influx of international chefs and new hotels coming up the culinary standards have gone up. Today we are glad that we have two homes. {Thomas has a Thai wife and an adorable baby girl.}
This article was first published in a luxury lifestyle magazine in April 2019.