Meet the culinary powerhouse, M.L. Kwantip Devakula, affectionately known as Chef Pom. Born on October 17, 1961, in the bustling city of Bangkok, Thailand, she’s a woman of many talents. From being a stellar food creator to a razor-sharp judge on MasterChef Thailand since its inception in 2017, Chef Pom has become a celebrated name in culinary circles. Her Instagram handle, @kwantipdevakula, showcases snippets of her flavorful life, yet there’s so much more behind this culinary queen.
Chef Pom’s tale begins with a bittersweet symphony that is as rich as her creations. Born into the royal lineage of a great-great-granddaughter of King Rama IV, her upbringing was steeped in discipline. “Sleeping in” was a phrase that never stood a chance against her mother’s early morning wake-up calls to join the kitchen orchestra. Unbeknownst at the age of five, Pom began her culinary journey, absorbing kitchen secrets under the tutelage of her mother and grandmother, growing from rudimentary tasks to mastering both Thai and Western cuisines.
Despite her burgeoning culinary skills, a formal culinary education wasn’t on her wish list. “No child enjoys being pushed into something. Even though I loved the kitchen, waking up early and missing out on playtime while other kids had fun made me loathe it,” she once confided to Prachachat, a tale that many can surely relate to.
So, Chef Pom charted a different path. She pursued a degree in Political Science from the prestigious Chulalongkorn University. She briefly donned the role of an office worker at Loxley and flirted with the entertainment world as a host, singer, and actress—skills that would later marinate beautifully into her culinary career.
Life’s twists brought her to the United States, where the lack of familiar flavors rekindled her culinary passion. Returning to Thailand, she dusted off her childhood notebooks, allowing nostalgia and invaluable experiences to reignite her love for cooking. At 44, post-divorce, Pom plunged headlong into a professional culinary career, a journey that tantalized more than just taste buds.
Her star truly ascended with her role as a judge on MasterChef Thailand. A role she relished, bringing her motherly instinct and mentorship skills to bear, mentoring contestants through the heat of competition. Her expertise and tell-it-like-it-is critiques garnered her respect and recognition nationwide.
Despite her traditional upbringing, Chef Pom embraces innovation and learns from fresher perspectives. She recalls, with laughter, an encounter with modern techniques: “Traditionally, I made Chicken Roulade by rolling by hand. But these days, they wrap it in plastic and use a sushi bamboo mat—it’s faster and keeps the chicken juicier. When I first saw this, I thought, ‘That’s not fair!’” she chuckled, showing her willingness to learn and evolve.
Beyond the high-pressure kitchen of MasterChef, Chef Pom discovered her passion for teaching. This led her to establish Deva Recipe by Chef Pom, her very own cooking school. Not stopping there, she graced YouTube with shows like Kitchen Pom and High Zone Kitchen, generously sharing her culinary wisdom and creativity. When acting opportunities knocked, she effortlessly transitioned, taking roles in productions like Nobody’s Happy If I’m Not (2023), Peaceful Property (2024), and Club Friday 14: Love & Belief (2022).
In her role as a mother, Chef Pom nurtures her children with honesty at the heart of her family’s philosophy. In a candid moment on the Club Friday Show, she revealed, “Never lie, whether it’s good or bad. Even if I’m the first to cry, I’ll also be the first to forgive and help fix the situation—not to make it right, but to make it better.” Such wisdom reflects the compassion with which she conducts her life both inside and outside the kitchen.
Chef Pom’s journey is an exquisite blend of the discipline she honed in her traditional upbringing and the zest for exploration she adopted over the years. Her saga continues to unfold along with new possibilities, every day simmering with potential for new flavors and exciting experiences.
Chef Pom’s journey is truly inspiring! From a royal lineage to a MasterChef judge, she’s proof that passions guide us.
Absolutely! It’s fascinating how she balanced traditional values with modern culinary techniques.
For sure, and it’s refreshing to see someone not afraid to evolve while honoring their roots.
Though I’d argue her traditional techniques might still trump modern ones in terms of authenticity.
I find it so relatable how she hated missing out on playtime as a kid because of chores. Was this a sacrifice or a blessing?
It’s a mixed bag! Discipline can be tough on kids, but the skills she learned then have paid off now.
I love how even after experiencing different careers, she returned to her culinary roots. Dedication wins!
But isn’t it sad she only returned to cooking post-divorce? Must have been quite a life change.
True, life’s turns are unpredictable. But maybe that change was what she needed to find her true calling.
Deva Recipe by Chef Pom sounds like the perfect blend of passion and tradition. Her students must be lucky!
Wait, she started her professional culinary career at 44? Just shows it’s never too late to chase dreams.
That’s what makes her story even more impressive! Most chefs start young, but she defied age norms.
I wonder if her royal background influenced any of her cooking styles or tastes?
Probably a lot. Royal families usually have their unique blend of recipes, adding a touch of sophistication.
I wonder what she’d say about street food. Might not be royal-approved but that’s where the real flavors are.
Who’s to say she doesn’t enjoy street food? Everyone can appreciate good food regardless of origin.
True, but would her palate appreciate the raw authenticity over refined delicacies? That’s the question.
Does she ever criticize contestants too harshly on MasterChef Thailand? Tough love or just tough?
Her role as a teacher and mentor speaks volumes. Balancing critique with guidance must be tough.
It is, but that’s why she’s so respected. She offers honest feedback—something rare in any profession.
Her transition into acting is intriguing! Shows that chefs can be more than just about food.
Right? It’s nice seeing her pursue something new. Who knows, it might inspire more chefs to diversify.
She seems like such a genuine person, but being royal means she probably has access to resources others don’t.
Access to resources doesn’t always equal success. Her hard work and adaptability are key.
Love her take on honesty in family life. Wish more families could be that transparent.
Yeah, but how realistic is this? Some truths are just hard to share without hurting feelings.
Anyone who’s willing to share what they know, like she does, deserves all the success.