Dej Kewkacha becomes first Asian winner of world's top pastry chef award
Bangkok's Gaggan placed No.2 in the 2026 restaurant ranking and was named Asia's best restaurant.
Thailand's Dej Kewkacha received the World's Best Pastry Chef 2026 award at the 50 Best Restaurants ceremony in Lima, Peru, on 4 November, becoming the first Asian chef to win the honour.
Dej, a self-taught pastry chef who was named Asia's Best Pastry Chef 2025, told the Bangkok Post he wanted to present his desserts internationally and demonstrate the inventiveness of Asian desserts. He said he hoped to modernise traditional Thai desserts and change how they are perceived, pointing to their long history and potential as a source of soft power for Thailand.
Bangkok's Gaggan took No.2 in the restaurant ranking and received the title of The Best Restaurant in Asia. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo, Spain, placed first, while Copenhagen's Alchemist ranked No.3.
Four other Bangkok restaurants featured in the ranking: Sorn at No.12, Suhring at No.14, Nusara at No.18 and Potong at No.32. The ceremony at Teatro Municipal de Lima recognised culinary talent across 28 territories and six continents.
Singapore also featured among the individual honours. Lesley Liu, head sommelier at Odette, received the Best Sommelier Award.
