Real grub's on the menu with Thai chef 'Poo'

Date posted: 11 March 2014

Thousands of people have enjoyed every mouthful after cooking with Poo - and now the University of Derby Buxton is inviting you to come and find out why.

Poo is the nick-name of Khun Saiyuud Diwong who has turned the cooking skills she learnt in the slums of Bangkok into an internationally renowned cuisine backed up by a best-selling recipe book.

"I never used to understand why Americans and Europeans laughed at my name. Now I understand," said Poo, whose nickname is short for Chompoo, the Thai for rose apple.

"But now I think my name is lucky, because everyone remembers me."

In 2007, as the price of rice in Thailand doubled, Poo found that she could no longer make a living selling food from her house. With help from friends, she started a cookery school in her front room, changing the lives in her community by creating jobs.

Poo is bringing her UK nationwide tour to the University's Dome on March 31 from noon to 2pm for an event which will consist of a talk about tourism, followed by a cookery demonstration.

And if you've just got over Cooking With Poo as a title, some of the dishes have ingredients which might make you hesitate: cockroaches, grubs and even flies make it on the menu in Thailand. To see what is on offer on the day, just turn up to this free event.

"Poo's remarkable story ties in with so much of what we teach here through our culinary arts, events management and tourism courses," said Dr Tony Johnston, Lecturer in Ecotourism.

"It's not just about cooking skills, but also so that students can see how tourism creates wealth and opportunity, as well as getting to help out at the event itself."

For more press information, contact John Phillips on j.phillips@derby.ac.uk