Derek Lucci

Derek and his partner Emma have brought together hundreds of guests at supper clubs and events featuring Thai food that honors traditional techniques. He is influenced by ongoing dialogue with Thai cooks and the study of old recipe books. He started writing for Serious Eats in 2020.

Derek developed a love for Thai food and has been studying and practicing the cuisine daily since 2015, through books, by using the internet and social media to connect with Thai people, and by traveling to Thailand to learn from Thai cooks. Derek began sharing his studies, recipes, and travels to Thailand with his Instagram followers @makebistro, before launching a supper club in Brooklyn that has hosted over 100 sold-out dinners. Derek has also worked as a private chef, teaches private cooking workshops, and ships his Thai food products nationwide.

Derek's Desert Island Food: Pad Gaprao Moo Sai Khai Dao, stir fried pork with holy basil, fried egg and jasmine rice. I would require this island to have an endless supply of gaprao, also known as holy basil. Combined with chilis, garlic and fish sauce, it is truly comfort food and instantly makes me happy. This desert would also contain copious amounts of fragrant jasmine rice as rice is not secondary!