The fairytale story of Blue Elephant family started in the 70's when 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 Kim.

Our Master Chef finally returned to her homeland to pilot the expansion of the group’s activities. 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.

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!

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

In promoting Thai Kitchen to the World for almost 40 years, 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. Today she is recognized as one of the Thailand Top 5’s Chefs.