Teeradon “James” Supapunpinyo

Chef & Founder, Talay Jai Dining

Industry : Food

Teeradon “James” Supapunpinyo’s route from acting to restaurateur began with MasterChef Celebrity Thailand. What started as a passion for cooking developed into something more serious, prompting professional culinary training and a closer understanding of technique, sourcing and the many hands behind every ingredient.

That perspective became the foundation for Talayjai, his seafood restaurant built around the idea that Thai ingredients deserve greater recognition. Its guiding concept, ‘Thai Sea, Modern Heart’, neatly captures James’s approach: contemporary cooking that respects local flavours while placing Thai seafood firmly centre stage.

Ingredient quality is only part of the equation. James gives equal weight to responsible sourcing and accessibility, working with Thai fisheries that follow responsible fishing practices and environmental standards. The aim is to consider the journey from source to plate while giving diners a clearer sense of the communities and processes behind what they eat.

For James, Talayjai therefore reaches beyond the restaurant itself. He hopes it can strengthen confidence in Thai produce, support opportunities for local fishing communities and encourage a more sustainable future for the country’s fisheries. In bringing the lessons of his culinary training together with a growing appreciation for Thailand’s marine resources, he is making the case for local seafood with both purpose and contemporary appeal.