Meet Executive Chef Pisut “Nong” Nahan, head chef of V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection. He oversees the resort’s entire culinary offering, including Yon | Ocean House, Akoya | Star Lounge, special events, and in-villa dining. Nong’s cuisine is “Thai with a modern twist”—a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. His mastery of crafting vibrant Thai and creative flavors, coupled with his commitment to seasonal ingredients and authentic preparation methods, makes him one of Thailand’s most exciting up-and-coming culinary talents.

Chef Nong was born and raised in Phang Nga, a picturesque coastal province nestled between the Andaman Sea and the Thai-Malaysian border. He remembers the warm atmosphere his grandfather and mother created while cooking in the kitchen, and the family meals they shared together. This sense of community at mealtimes ignited his passion for cooking.

Chef Nong's culinary career spans 18 years, taking him from simple kitchens in Phang Nga to Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the region. He began his journey at the age of sixteen in a local restaurant, where he enthusiastically learned traditional, home-cooked techniques and experimented with flavors. Chef Nong honed his haute cuisine skills while working under Chef Joe Louis Léon at Aleenta Phang Nga, a renowned French chef who introduced Michelin-starred techniques to the southern province. He further refined his skills at Aziamendi, a gourmet restaurant in Natai Beach under the direction of Spanish three-Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa.

Chef Nong spent several years in the Maldives, where he opened and managed the Baan Thai restaurant. The restaurant was named one of the 15 best restaurants in the Maldives. Most recently, Chef Nong designed the menu for the Black Ginger restaurant in Phuket, which received a Michelin star and was selected as one of Phuket's 25 best restaurants two years in a row.

When he's not in the kitchen, Chef Nong explores the local markets and restaurants. He praises the abundance of fresh, regional ingredients and the island's strong sense of community as an ideal environment for culinary creativity and development. He finds inspiration in Phuket's UNESCO recognition as a gastronomic destination and its vibrant, multicultural food culture with Thai, Chinese, and Malay influences. "I try to understand the ingredients deeply and connect with them," says Chef Nong. "In Phuket, this is easy because there's a strong emphasis on fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and the balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy. I can use the unique textures and flavors of the ingredients to create exceptional dishes. This process is exhilarating."

Chef Nong is looking forward to continuing his culinary journey at V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection, where he will further promote the resort's focus on using fresh, local ingredients and developing Thai coastal cuisine and European cuisine.

About V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection

V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection is an exclusive resort featuring only private pool villas, perched 39 meters high on a secluded hillside overlooking the pristine Ao Yon Bay. Architecturally designed to showcase its unique location and seamlessly integrate with nature, the resort offers 26 private pool villas with 1, 2, 3, 4, or 6 bedrooms. The luxurious interiors feature seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, expansive infinity pools, and breathtaking ocean views. A personalized 24-hour butler service ensures an unforgettable and indulgent stay. The resort's culinary highlight, Yon | Ocean House, serves regional Thai and European coastal cuisine. The luxurious rooftop lounge, Akoya | Star Lounge, is renowned for its sophisticated cocktails and 360° panoramic views of the sunset, starry sky, and ocean. The resort's holistic wellness program is inspired by European and Eastern healing therapies and beauty rituals, and utilizes, among other things, the rejuvenating effect of local Andaman Sea pearls.