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The Lady Chef Behind The Concept

Master Chef Nooror

Nooror Somany Steppe is the inspiration and central person behind the success of Blue Elephant. Thai Heritage Cuisine is her passion and creativity her driving force.

For more than 4 decades, Master Chef Nooror has been striving as an ambassador advocating Thai cuisine and culture worldwide. Her motto? “You cannot make good Thai food without good Thai ingredients!”

Since 1980

A STORY OF LOVE & PASSION

The fairytale story of Blue Elephant family started in the 70’s when Master Chef Nooror met Karel Steppe, Belgian Art Dealer and visionary businessman, while she was studying in Belgium. After getting married, they opened the very first Blue Elephant in 1980 in Brussels together with Thai partners Khun Chai Wayno and Somboon Insusri, the same year as they had their first child, Khun Sandra.

Chef Nooror Lands Home

Thai Mothership

Our Master Chef finally returned to her homeland to pilot the expansion of the group’s activities. While acting simultaneously as a Personal Assistant to Ajarn Sisamon, the legendary Guru of Thai Heritage Cuisine. The Blue Elephant Restaurant and Cooking School opened in Bangkok in 2002, followed by a Phuket branch in 2010. In the North of Bangkok, Blue Spice factory, manufacturing arm of the Blue Elephant group was inaugurated in 2006 and is currently exporting its products to +45 countries.

Blue Elephant Around The World

BROADER, WIDER

Chef Nooror always thrived to share her knowledge and passion for Thai Cuisine and ingredients worldwide. Throughout the years Blue Elephant branched out, developing a wide range of products and services offering a 360º Thai culinary expertise. From catering to consulting, from manufacturing to export… Blue Elephant continues to promote the wonders of Thai gastronomy. Chef Nooror’s Thai premium ingredients and recipes are now available in 45 countries, on 5 continents!

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Thai Culinary Heritage

Born to be a chef

Born in Chachoengsao province in Thailand, Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe ingrained her deep connection with the culinary world since childhood by her mother, renown in making the best, fresh, fragrant curries such as her famous heirloom Massaman curry paste.

The Heart & Soul of Blue Elephant
Master Chef Nooror

“I am proud of my Thai Heritage. Each dish has its own history and I love creating as much as exploring the King’s Palace recipes of different eras or delving into the regional culinary heritage gems!”

World Class Chef

Committed Ambassador

In promoting Thai Kitchen to the World for almost 40 years, Master Chef Nooror was awarded an honorary Master of Arts degree from Kasetsart University and a Prime Minister Exporter Award. She continuously aims to provide the pinnacle of Thai cuisine exclusively from fresh and local ingredients. Since more than 30 years, she has been recognized as one of Thailand’s Top Chefs.

Our Milestone

Our Memorable Journey

Since 1980, Blue Elephant has embarked on a remarkable journey, celebrating excellence and authentic Thai cuisine.

1980

Opening of the first Blue Elephant restaurant in Brussels

1984

Opening of a Trade office in Bangkok to ship fresh Thai products to our restaurants in Europe for more authenticity

1986

Opening of the first Blue Elephant franchise in London

1996

Opening of the first production premises in Belgium (central kitchen for the network and ready meals for the European market)

2002

Opening of Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant Bangkok in Thailand

2006

Opening of the Blue Elephant Grocery line products factory (Blue Spice Co., Ltd.) in Pathumthani, Thailand

2010

Opening of the Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant Phuket in Thailand

2024

Opening of the Blue Elephant Bangkok Sukhumvit Restaurant

Hand picked

Fresh ingredients only

At Blue Elephant, each ingredient we use are premium, fresh and handled with care. We select what Thailand has best to offer and collaborate with local initiative such as the Royal Thai Projects and its organic crops.