On the Thai island Phuket there are countless restaurants – many of them do not survive a complete season after their mostly pompous opening. Those restaurants that have been in Phuket for more than two years can justifiably say they have made it. One of these culinary temples with a “stock guarantee” is the Surf & Turf in Phuket Town.
When it comes to innovative food and unique textures, Chef Tom Köffers from Surf & Turf is firmly established on Phuket. There may be many chefs who are able to convince in culinary terms – but Tom Köffers is able to do this even with the most minimalist environments.
The kitchen in the Surf & Turf is small and manageable but cannot be compared with those of other gourmet temples in which the appropriate tool and lots of helping hands are available for every move.
All the more it becomes clear that it is due to the innovative chef and his craftsmanship that such unique dishes are conjured up for us. The fantasy and the desire to try something new, coupled with the knowledge of the combination of ingredients, flavours and textures makes a great chef.
More than once I have seen restaurants disappear in insignificance, after the management felt such a chef would be easily replaceable. It is always the handwriting of a brilliant chef that breathes life into a restaurant – it is only after that that ambience and service come into play.
This time we were at the “Chef’s Table – Giving Back Dinner” and were again surprised culinarily. Tom Köffers wanted to give something back to his guests and he did so with this fine culinary highlight – and at a more than fair price – my respect & thanks for that.
The Surf & Turf is a place I would recommend to all my best friends and as you know you only do this with real pearls – this time a culinary one.
For me this culinary moment is always the focus – there may be many restaurants that have a charming and chic ambience, a great atmosphere and much more – but if the food is not convincing, or better surprising, all this is not really important, even if its view should be breathtaking.
So, if you’re on Phuket let yourself taste it at the Surf & Turf (book in advance by phone!) and please sent Tom my best regards!
In the following pictures you’ll find some pictures from the Surf & Turf as well as some from a restaurant project in which Tom Köffers was in charge in 2019. I have added those in addition so that you can see what this German boss is capable of.
