Meet Nuit Regular, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Momentum Finalist

Chef Nuit Regular is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of PAI, Kiin, Chaiyo, Sukhothai, and By Chef Nuit Events & Catering. Chef Nuit has transformed the Thai food scene in Toronto through the distinct flavours of Northern Thai cuisine and hospitality. It all began when Chef Nuit opened the humble Curry Shack in the small town of Pai, in Northern Thailand. She made the decision to leave her career as a nurse so that she could share her passion and life experiences through family recipes, street market dishes, and Royal Thai cuisine in Canada.

The first Thai SELECT Ambassador for Canada, Chef Nuit has been recognized by the government of Thailand for the authenticity of her Thai cooking and was awarded the prestigious Thai SELECT Signature designation for her restaurants. Her restaurants PAI and Kiin are recognized by MICHELIN Guide. Chef Nuit is the 2024 Pinnacle Awards Chef of the Year, a WX Network’s 2022 Top 100 Powerful Women in Canada with the BMO Entrepreneurs Award, and the recipient of the 2022 American Express Award for Business Leadership. She has been a guest judge on MasterChef Canada and Top Chef Canada, Season 9, appeared on Big Food Bucket List, and is a resident judge on Food Network Canada’s Wall of Chefs. Her debut cookbook, Kiin: Recipes and Stories from Northern Thailand, won a 2021 IACP Cookbook Award and a Taste Canada Gold Award.

 Keep up with Nuit on Instagram at @chefnuitregular.

I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when… I realized that sharing my authentic flavours of Thailand with people in Canada wasn’t just about cooking, it was about creating a community around food and culture. My desire was to be someone who could bring a piece of my homeland (Northern Thailand) to the other side of the world. That’s when I knew that I needed to do it through my own restaurants, where I could control the quality, authenticity, and warmth of the dining experience. 

Entrepreneurship is made for me because… it gives me the freedom to express my creativity through food, while empowering me to lead and inspire others. As a chef and entrepreneur, I love taking risks, pushing boundaries, and continuously evolving. Entrepreneurship allows me to make my mark, not just in the kitchen but in the business world, and to show that with passion and hard work, anything is possible.

The impact I hope to make through my work is… to bring joy and help create beautiful memories through my cooking. I want people to see that food is more than just nourishment — it’s a way to connect cultures, bring joy, and share stories. Through my restaurants, I hope to foster a sense of community and open people’s hearts and minds to Thai culture and cuisine, and also inspire others to embrace their heritage, take pride in their culture, and create opportunities for themselves through hard work and passion. 

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey is… you can’t do it alone. Building a business, especially in the restaurant industry, requires a strong, supportive team. I’ve learned that the key to success is surrounding yourself with people who share your vision and values. Trusting my team has allowed me to focus on growth and expansion, knowing that we’re all working towards the same goal.

My proudest accomplishment is… that after 17 years in the restaurant business, I’m still as happy and passionate and excited about my work. Every day, I find new opportunities to learn, grow, and challenge myself. The journey has been incredible, and I feel so grateful to still be evolving as a chef and business owner. There’s still so much for me to learn, there is always something new to discover, and there are still lots of growth opportunities, and that keeps me motivated and energized. 

The biggest risk I took that paid off was… changing careers from being a nurse to a chef. It was a huge leap into the unknown, but I knew that sharing my passion for Thai cuisine could change my life — and it did, despite the many uncertainties and my inexperience with running a business in Canada initially. Starting with a small restaurant and now growing to multiple locations and restaurant brands, it’s been a risk worth taking, and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.  

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was… to always stay true to your roots and never compromise on your core values. This advice has kept me grounded, reminding me that while trends and times may change, staying authentic to who you are and what you believe in will always be the foundation for long-term success.

 I surprise people when I tell them… I’ve been living in Canada for 18 years already! It’s incredible to look back and see all the accomplishments we’ve achieved in that time! We started with a tiny little restaurant, and we have now grown to 4 restaurant brands with 11 locations across the Greater Toronto Area, along with an events & catering company. I definitely would never have imagined being where I am today, all those years ago! 

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to… to learn to play instruments (I want to learn the cello!), pick up some more languages, and continue to explore new cuisines to expand my knowledge.

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… how much joy and pride I feel when I see someone’s face light up as they take their first bite of Thai food. It’s a magical moment, and it reminds me why I do what I do. You also wouldn’t know how much I value spending time with my family; they are the heart of everything I do. 

The future excites me because… there are so many more opportunities to share Thai culture with the world, and I’m just getting started! Whether it’s through opening new restaurants or exploring new ways to connect with people through food, I’m always excited for the next challenge and adventure. Every day brings something new, and that’s what drives me forward.