Cooking With Yui

Hi, I’m Yui Miles - a Thai culinary expert, cookbook author, private chef, and cookery teacher based in the UK.

I was born into a Thai-Chinese family where cooking and eating were always at the heart of everyday life. From an early age, I helped my parents prepare traditional Thai and Chinese dishes, beginning my cooking journey at just seven years old.

One of my earliest childhood memories is waking up at 4am to prepare food for monks at my local temple. After morning prayers, the food was shared among the community — an experience that taught me the importance of food, generosity, and bringing people together.

My late mum, who I love dearly, was my first teacher in the kitchen. She passed down treasured family recipes that had been taught to her by my grandmother. My aunt also played an important role in shaping my skills — she worked as a chef in the Thai Royal Kitchen, where both flavour and presentation were held to the highest standards. Her knowledge and dedication deeply inspired my passion for authentic Thai cooking.

My Journey to the UK

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics in Bangkok, I moved to the UK in 2001 after getting married.

Living in the UK opened up new culinary experiences for me. Living in the UK introduced me to new culinary influences, blending Western techniques with authentic Thai flavours. Over time, I followed my heart and passion for Thai cuisine and began sharing my cooking with a wider audience.

My journey took an exciting turn when I appeared on BBC MasterChef UK 2019, where I reached the Quarter-Finals, proudly showcasing authentic Thai flavours to a national audience. I later appeared on Channel 4’s Beat the Chef and was honoured to win the ICG Keen Home Cooks Competition in 2020.  

Cooking, Creativity & Photography

Alongside my love of cooking, I developed a strong interest in photography and completed an NVQ Level 3 in Photography, specialising in food photography.

This skill allowed me to capture beautiful images of my dishes and led to paid collaborations with leading brands. Food photography plays an important role in myw creative process, helping me present dishes in a visually appealing and inspiring way.

Working with Brands & Organisations

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with leading brands, organisations, and media platforms to promote authentic Thai cuisine through live events, recipe development, and collaborations.

Major Collaborations & Culinary Partnerships

• Michelin-starred collaboration — Chef Atul Kochhar, Thai Feast Supper Club

• Tourism Authority of Thailand — Cooking demonstrations and cultural events

• Royal Thai Embassy, London — Cultural and private events

• Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia — Culinary Residency

• EVA Air — Private event collaboration

• World Travel Market (WTM), London — Prepared Thai canapés for VIP Happy Hour event

Festivals & Major Events

• The Destinations Travel Show, London

• Food Festivals — UK-wide events

• National Geographic Traveller Food Festival — Author talk and live cooking demonstrations

• IFE International Food & Drink Event, London

Brand & Retail Collaborations

• Sainsbury’s — Recipe development and brand promotions, with recipes published on their website

• Amoy — Paid brand collaboration creating recipes featuring hero products

• JJ Foodservice — Recipe development featuring hero products and promotional campaign collaboration, including Yui’s themed shopping list

Media & Publications ⭐

• Featured Recipe Contributor — BBC Good Food

• Featured Recipes — The Guardian Magazine

• Featured Recipes — Daily Mail

Teaching & Sharing Thai Cuisine

Teaching Thai cooking has become one of my greatest passions.

Since 2019, I have been delivering cookery classes across the UK, helping people gain confidence in cooking authentic Thai dishes at home. My classes are known for being relaxed, friendly, and full of helpful tips, making Thai cooking approachable using ingredients that are easy to find in local supermarkets.

In addition to teaching, I also work as a private chef, hosting Thai private dining experiences, supper clubs, and pop-up restaurants for clients in their homes and venues.

International Work & Global Experiences

My passion for Thai cuisine has taken me around the world.

In 2022, I travelled to Lagos, Nigeria, to host a Thai masterclass at the GTCO Food & Drink Festival, where I demonstrated Thai cooking to an audience of more than 500 people.

More recently, I collaborated with the prestigious Pangkor Laut Resort in Malaysia, working alongside their culinary team to deliver authentic Thai dining experiences. This collaboration allowed me to share Thai flavours with an international audience while working within a world-class hospitality environment.

My Mission

My mission is to bring authentic Thai cooking to life — making it accessible, enjoyable, and achievable for everyone.

Whether through cookery classes, private dining experiences, festivals, or brand collaborations, I love sharing the stories behind Thai dishes and inspiring others to explore the bold, vibrant flavours of Thai cuisine.

For me, food is more than cooking — it is about family, culture, connection, and joy.

Achievements & Highlights

• BBC MasterChef UK 2019 — Quarter Finalist

• Channel 4 Beat the Chef — Contestant

• Winner — ICG Keen Home Cooks Competition 2020

• Author — Thai Made Easy Cookbook

• International Guest Chef — GTCO Festival Nigeria

• Culinary Collaboration — Pangkor Laut Resort, Malaysia

• Cookery Teacher — UK since 2019

• Thai Fine Dinning Collab, Cooking Demo — Tourism Authority of Thailand

• Thai Fine Dinning Collab, Cooking Demo  — Royal Thai Embassy London

• Private events collab with EVA Air, London