Master Chef Nooror S. Steppe was awarded the "Global Thai Gastronomy Pioneer Award" at the TOP25 Restaurants Phuket Awards 2024.  The Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant was ranked No. 14. The Blue Elephant Mansion is a stunning representation of the Sino-Portuguese architectural style unique to Phuket and Penang. Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, who leads the culinary direction of Blue Elephant, spent over a decade researching Peranakan heritage cuisine, which blends Chinese, Malay, and Thai influences. 

OVERVIEW
In 2010, the mansion became home to the Blue Elephant Restaurant, part of the renowned Blue Elephant group, which specializes in Royal Thai cuisine. Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, who leads the culinary direction of Blue Elephant, spent over a decade researching Peranakan heritage cuisine, which blends Chinese, Malay, and Thai influences. Her dedication to preserving and elevating this rich culinary tradition is evident in the restaurant's menu, where traditional Peranakan dishes are thoughtfully crafted and presented.

AMBIENCE
History and Background
Built-in 1903 by Phra Pitak Chinpracha, a prominent Chinese tin baron and one of Phuket's wealthiest and most influential figures during the tin mining boom, the mansion stands as a testament to the Chinpracha family's instrumental role in shaping Phuket's economic landscape during the early 20th century.

Architecture and Design
The Blue Elephant Mansion is a stunning representation of the Sino-Portuguese architectural style unique to Phuket and Penang. The mansion features ornate European-style arches, intricate tile work, and classic Chinese elements, such as shuttered windows. The exterior is painted in its original mustard yellow, a color that has been carefully preserved to maintain the building's historical authenticity. One of the key features of the mansion, the central courtyard, has been thoughtfully transformed into a state-of-the-art cooking school. This change allows guests to immerse themselves in the culinary arts, learning the secrets of Thai cooking in a space that retains its historical character while serving a modern purpose.

Cultural Collaboration
The mansion's restoration, which took two years, was undertaken in conjunction with the Thai Fine Arts Department, ensuring the preservation of its historical and architectural integrity. This careful renovation has allowed the building to maintain its authentic charm while serving as a luxurious dining destination.

MUST TRY
Hot Phuketian Turmeric & Betel Leaves Crab Curry / Black Diamond Garlic Tiger Prawn / Sing Hon Charolais Beef Cheek

FOOD
Traditional Peranakan and Thai Heritage Cusine

SERVICE
The service is prompt and efficient. The amiable and pleasant staff can be relied on to offer useful menu suggestions.

PRICING
THB 2,000++ per person

SUMMARY
Blue Elephant Phuket is a good choice for a special evening out or for those looking for an elegant fine Thai dining experience. The special Peranakan set menu is a must for all wishing to discover authentic and original Phuket cuisine.

ABOUT CHEF
Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, the founding chef, and director of the Blue Elephant Group, is a true pioneer in redefining and refining Thai cuisine. She has become a staunch advocate and ambassador of Thai cuisine and culture which she promotes to the rest of the world during her frequent travels abroad to stage Thai food festivals, banquets, and cooking classes as a special, guest chef of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Sourcing from only the finest and premium produce from the Royal Project and all over Thailand with an emphasis on products with health benefits, Master Chef Nooror has created the most palatable, authentic, and most important of all, healthy Thai menus. The first Blue Elephant Restaurant opened in Brussels, Belgium in 1980 and soon after gained its reputation in other parts of Europe, the Middle East, and other countries in Asia. Master Chef Nooror returned to Thailand in 2002 to further explore her heritage and bring back to life forgotten recipes from bygone eras as well as to share her precious heirloom recipes handed down from generation to generation. She opened Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant Bangkok in the same year and the Phuket branch in 2010. Master Chef Nooror has established her name not only for her original and historical knowledge of Thai cuisine but also for her ready-mixed recipes of Thai sauces, curry pastes, and seasonings amongst others from the Blue Elephant premium product line produced and exported to over 45 countries worldwide and available in leading supermarkets throughout Thailand