Pok Pok chef Andy Ricker wins national award
Portland foodies have recognized the genius of Andy Ricker for years, regularly packing his restaurant Pok Pok and bar Whiskey Soda Lounge.
Now Cooking Light magazine has singled out Ricker for one of its Trailblazing Chef Awards. The awards recognize chefs who are setting trends in culinary preservation, global flavor, healthy cooking and other areas.
- Curious where Ricker and other Portland-area chefs like to eat? This gallery has the answers.
As described by Cooking Light: "Ricker’s food is not cheffed up or dumbed down. Nor is it clever fusion food. While the word “authentic” is always loaded—Ricker isn’t Thai—“respectful” is a good substitute."
The magazine also noted Ricker's East Coast migration and the success of his Brooklyn Pok Pok, opened about a year ago, which Cooking Light said has "vaulted to the top of the must-eat lists."
Ricker, who is reportedly working on a cookbook featuring Northern Thai flavors, last year received a Best Chef Northwest award from the James Beard Foundation.
That is the only thing I miss about Portland now. All other Thai food is very pedestrian except maybe Typhoon but they are no more. I sure do miss those Vietnamese Chicken Wings...and the Boar Collar...
I've eaten at Pok Pok before and it is pretty darn good. Nice to see that the owner is getting some recognition nationally.
@Dirtman What is Pok Pok? I have never had it.
@Pvpbw It is located at 32nd and SE Division...
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http://www.yelp.com/biz/pok-pok-portland
 @Pvpbw  @Dirtman Oh yeah...and it's REALLY different, the dishes we tried were quite spicy. My juries still out on the food though, I need a larger sample size from the menu. Chicken wings were very tasty.
 @Pvpbw  @Dirtman Get there early, the nice thing is they own the Whiskey bar across the street, drink there while you wait and they'll call when your table is ready (although you can't transfer the check).
@Pvpbw Watch out, this is real Thai Food. The waiters are very helpfull for new comers. They don't even have pad thai on the menu. I should have said South East Asian food. I'm getting hungry just writing this...
@Dirtman Thanks I think we will try it this weekend.