Cholaya "Ya" Laothong is a professional chef and master of Thai Cuisine holding a diploma of Food Nutrition from Rajamangala Institute of Technology, earned after training for two years at the prestigious Siam International Hotel in Bangkok. Since 1983 Ya has performed a variety of roles as a professional chef. Having served as Desert Chef at the famous Casablanca Restaurant in Jakarta, the Executive Chef at a hotel in Luxembourg, and as supervisor of the Thai World Export Company in Bangkok, Ya is no stranger to international cuisine. Shortly after serving as the Food and Beverage Manager at Ao Nang Villa Resort, a role she performed for two years, Ya discovered her true passion- teaching.