Rosa’s Thai

I grew up in Thailand in the mountains, in a place called Phetchabun Khao Kho. My family had a farm and I started making money selling vegetables in the big town nearby.

I used to love watching noodle sellers in the market. When I was 14, I started my own noodle shop outside my house. Every morning I would get up at about 4am and go down to the town on my motorbike to get ingredients.

All images courtesy Saiphin Moore

I left my hometown when I was 18 to work as a nanny in Hong Kong. I started fitting in catering jobs around my babysitting duties. I met my husband, an Englishman, and we eventually decided to move to the UK.

When I came to London, I was very empty. I started catering in my apartment and delivering to offices, and then set up a market stall in Brick Lane. What made my food different was that I cooked the way I ate, not the way the customer wanted.
Making authentic food was really important to me…

The one dish that I love to make is Pad Thai. It reminds me of my childhood, because the place where I grew up is where they produce the best tamarind.
And the most important ingredients in Pad Thai sauce are tamarind and palm sugar

I always wanted to have my own restaurant. My husband and I planned to have not only one but a few restaurants because we believed in ourselves. I’m so proud that we set up the business and it’s become very well known.

When I sold my 80% stake in the restaurant to an investor, I gave my staff bonuses so that some of them could buy a house in Thailand. When I handed the envelope to them with their bonus and made them cry with happiness, that was my proudest moment.