Chef Philippa Kingsley says she may have been Thai in a former life, which explains why this blonde and British cook knows so much about the cuisine. However she learned it, Philippa runs a catering company called Philippa’s Orient and also teaches Thai cooking. I met her during a cooking class at the Buford Highway Farmers Market.
Thai cuisine is healthy. “Have you ever seen a fat Thai?” asks Chef Philippa. If you have, she asserts, they are eating junk food, probably American junk food.
Traditional cooking in Thailand has no heavy fats, salt, or dairy and it’s marked by the balance of four flavors: sweet, sour, salty, spicy. Though Thai cuisine is known for heat, many dishes, like her Coconut Soup, include all four flavors and they need to be kept in balance, so it’s important the heat isn’t overpowering. The cuisine can be broken down into Royal cooking, with its formal dishes and Hawker or street food, the cuisine of the common people available on every corner.
The following ingredients are common in Thai dishes.
Lemongrass--citrus flavored, grass like-stalk. Bruise or chop coarsely.
Galangal—Similar to ginger, a root (rhizome) with a tender peel you don’t have to remove. Don’t freeze.
Chilies—Thai chilies are small and very hot, particularly the Bird’s Eye Chili.
Fish sauce—This replaces salt. Don’t refrigerate. She prefers Squid brand.
Palm sugar—sap from the coconut tree. (Substitute brown sugar, if you must)
Cilantro—a leafy herb, similar to parsley, the seeds are coriander.
Thai basil—differs from other basils by its anise smell.
Coconut milk—her favorite brand is Aroy.
Shrimp paste—don’t keep in the fridge. Buy the small can, a little goes a long way.
Kaffir Lime leaves and lime juice—Use fresh limes, but the leaves can be frozen. They thaw in seconds on the counter. 
And always use the freshest, best ingredients available. As Philippa says, “In life, you have to compromise; in food, never!”
Philippa is known as “The Blonde Thai” and her recipes are featured in The Thai Table: A Celebration of Culinary Treasures by Terry Tan.
Find her recipes for Coconut soup, Thai basil rolls and fresh plum sauce.
Philippa’s Orient, Thai Catering and Culinary school
470 Franklin Red NE
Atlanta, GA 30342
404-255-4760
Cell 404-667-3926
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