Andy Ricker opened the first Pok Pok in Portland in 2005 when he said finding Thai food in the U.S. was difficult unless you lived in Los Angeles and were in the know. Subsequent locations, success, and cookbooks followed. From Thailand where he has permanently relocated, Ricker speaks with Good Food about coming up in the restaurant world, how the industry has changed in the last 15 years, and the new generation of chefs who will carry the torch.
More: Good Food: Recreating Pok Pok’s classic noodle dishes at home