On 16 June 2022, the Royal Thai Embassy and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL) co-organized the 1st Ever Pad Thai Competition in Israel at the Thai Pavilion, Ben Shemen Forest in Modi’in.

19 contestants who proclaimed their love for Thailand and Thai food took up this challenge by making Kosher Tofu Pad Thai, a classic Thai dish popular around the world, including in Israel.

The winner of the competition is Patrick Slama, who receives 2 roundtrip tickets to Bangkok courtesy of EL AL Israel Airlines as well as a free 5-night stay at the Outrigger Surin Beach. The 2nd prize goes to Ms. Lior Sibonny, who receives a free 3-night stay at Santiburi Koh Samui. The 3rd prize goes to Ms. Tatyana Bolton, who receives a free 2-night stay at the Nai Harn Phuket.

The Embassy also organized various corners and activities in parallel with the cooking competition, such as “All about Thailand” to promote Thailand and Thai tourism, “Good Bites and Thai Drinks” featuring Pad Thai, Thai Beef Jerky, Soft Bread with Panda Custard, Roselle Juice, Lemon Grass Juice, Coconut Juice and Singha Beer, “Kids’ Corner” with arts & crafts and Thai musical instrument as well as “Muay Thai” by Nili Block, Muay Thai World Champion.

The Embassy wishes to thank Tourism Authority of Thailand, EL AL Israel Airlines, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort, Santiburi Koh Samui and the Nai Harn Phuket for sponsoring the awards for the top-3 winners.

The Embassy also extends its appreciation to the panel of 6 honorary judges, comprised of (1) Mrs. Bracha Shlomo, spouse of Dr. Meir Shlomo, former Ambassador of Israel to Thailand (2) Mr. Dror Shoshan, owner of Koh Thai Restaurant in Beer Sheva (3) Mr. Gilad Mastey, Forest Supervisor (4) Mrs. Sawalee Eldar, Lecturer at the Bishulim Culinary Institute in Tel Aviv and CEO of Oriental Food Imports (5) Mr. Shahaf Shabtay, Chef from EL AL Israel Airlines and (6) Mr. Yariv Malili, owner of Thai House Restaurant and Kab Kem Restaurant in Tel Aviv, who tasted and scored all the 19 dishes.

At the end of the event, the Embassy donated all proceedings from contestants’ registration fees and donations from event attendants to KKL for maintenance and preservation of the Thai Pavillion, a symbol of longstanding and cordial friendship between Thailand and Israel.