"In the Mood for Thai", the latest cookbook from Patara Fine Thai Cuisine, recently marked its presence with the official launch. The event gained warm welcome from prominent celebrities and cuisine experts. The launch featured colorful Thai spice décor and enormous interactive shadow screen to present authentic recipe from the cookbook. Guests also were in the upbeat mood from "Pride of Thai Mood Show" after enjoying cooking demonstrations selected from mouth watering dishes in the cookbook.

Part of the proceeds from the sale of the cookbook on that day went to "Khao Khong Phor Foundation" and "Chalermkwan Jumsai Na Ayudhya Foundation"

interactive shadow screen & Cooking Demo

My favorite spice talks

From right: M.L Kwantip Devakula, Ms. Pattriya Na Nakorn, Mrs. Kessuda Raiva, Dr. Parichart Jumsai Na Ayudhya, and Ms. Siriyakorn Pukkavesa

Official launch ceremony

Honorable guests from "Khao Kong Phor Foundation"

From left: Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul and Dr. Kwanchai A. Gomez

Signing autograph Mrs. Patara Sila-On

It took seven years since Patara launched the last cookbook and the restaurant itself has emerged into a new age of fine dining.

For shelf-teaser and striking-as-coffee table show book, "In the mood for Thai" is wrapped in banana leaf. The book is cleverly divided into five mood sections: Peaceful, Romantic, Fun Fare, Flair and Joy of Two Cultures. The 50 recipes are among the popular dishes of Patara restaurants in four different countries.

Patara Sila-On, the Grand Dame of Thai restaurant, proudly endorsed the book herself. Foods are beautifully photographed. Recipes are easy to follow, though inexperienced cooks may find some recipes not friendly to prepare. You can bookmark your favorite recipe using the herbs provided for cut out.

Retail price is THB 1,500 or £20.-