Phuket, Thailand, December 19, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / Renowned master chef Nooror Somany Steppe, founder of the internationally acclaimed Blue Elephant Group, was featured as a master chef in “Silvia Discovers – Thailand”, a sensational travel documentary by Austrian television presenter Silvia Schneider, filmed in Phuket.

Produced by Silvia Schneider GmbH for ORF, the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation, the program presents Phuket through its cultural heritage, natural beauty, and culinary excellence. A particular highlight is the culinary journey undertaken by Silvia Schneider together with master chef Nooror and head chef Kris Steppe. It showcases not only the depth, authenticity, and refined techniques of Thai cuisine, rooted in tradition and sustainability, but also the cultural and human diversity of Phuket.

The documentary is part of a strategic collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai Department of Public Relations and is expected to reach more than 4 million viewers via ORF's broadcast and digital platforms, thereby significantly increasing Thailand's visibility in Central Europe.

Filmed in and around Phuket's Old Town, the program captures the island's human and cultural diversity and positions Thai gastronomy as a powerful expression of Thailand's soft power. The participation of master chef Nooror underscores Blue Elephant's role as a global ambassador of Thailand's culinary heritage. Blue Elephant's curries and Thai food line, currently exported to over 48 countries, are considered the most prestigious and well-known reference for Thai cuisine in Austria.

“Silvia Discovers Thailand” will be broadcast on ORF on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 5:30 pm.

Image source: Juraj Melicher/ORF (IG: tellstory.studio//FB: Toldstory Studio)