What is your full name and age?
Konrad Renggli (Chef Radi), 38 years old.
What is your current Job Position?
Executive Chef at Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa.
How long have you lived in Hua Hin or been coming to Hua Hin?
It has been ten months since I moved from Shanghai, China, and started working with Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa in February 2020.
What did you know about Hua Hin before you moved here?
I had heard about a beautiful beachside town on the Gulf of Thailand. Hua Hin is a popular destination for Thai people, but it is also becoming more famous with international travelers as well.
What do you like most about your profession?
I like being able to travel around the world and learn about different cultures, diverse cuisines, and new cooking techniques. I always enjoy creating memorable dining experiences and making guests happy.
What do you like least about your profession?
It’s good that my profession enables me to travel around the world. On the other hand, it’s also the hardest part of my job when I have to move to another country and have to say goodbye to my beloved team and friends.
What do you like most about Hua Hin?
Due to its small size, Hua Hin is easy to get around and explore the neighborhood. Whether you like dining, shopping, or sightseeing, Hua Hin is a great place to live or for a vacation.
What is your favorite restaurant, and why? (please don’t promote your own restaurants.)
There are many food options around Hua Hin, including European, Italian, Chinese, and Thai. Hua Hin is located near fishing villages, so fresh seafood can be found easily in this town. One of my favorite restaurants is Aroi @Hua Hin, which features a delicious signature dish called Prawns in “Aroi” sauce.
What do you like to do in your free time and why?
In my free time, I like photography and traveling to nearby cities to relax. I am also practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art and combat sport that focuses on grappling and ground fighting.
What would you recommend to new-comers to do in Hua Hin and why?
I would like to recommend taking a trip to Hin Lek Fai Hill. It’s located about three kilometers west of the town. Since Hua Hin is a sunrise destination, it is the perfect place to catch the first glimpse of the sunrise over the city.
Tell us a surprising fact that the public might not know about you?
I worked in China for almost ten years, and I immersed myself in Chinese culture, so now I can read, write, and speak Mandarin. I like to learn about different cultures; it helps me to understand the local community, make new friends, and increases my exposure to new experiences. I’m currently learning about Thai culture and the Thai language.
What is the most outlandish thing you have ever done and why?
I have participated in an annual Waterslide contest during the middle of winter in Switzerland. The challenge was to slide across a pool by snowboard and not to fall in. The water was less than 4 degrees Celsius at the time!