Junnajet Hurapan, Songkran Thai Kitchen

Junnajet Hurapan, Songkran Thai Kitchen

Junnajet Hurapan - a native of Bangkok, Thailand who moved to New York with his parents at the age of six - represents a major coup for the Houston culinary scene. Chef Junnajet - or "Jett" as he is called by his many friends and fans - impressed several of New York City's top food critics before relocating to the Bayou City.

Jett was initially trained as a Mediterranean chef. He worked 12 years at Isabella before becoming Executive Chef at Park Avalon, and then opened Blue Water Grill and Atlantic Grill. Jett returned to his roots by opening Ruby Foo's where he stayed for one year before taking a two-year hiatus to race cars for Volkswagen America. Jett returned to the kitchen after one race win and many crashes at the West Side location of Rain where he learned to cook modern Thai food. Jett then opened Hue - a French Vietnamese lounge.

In 2002, Jett won the "Best of the Best" Chef Award from Excellent Culinary, now a part of the American Culinary Institute. One year later, Jett met his wife, Jiraporn - who is now pastry chef at Gigi's - after hiring her to be a dumpling maker at Quake.

Jett came to Houston in 2007 following a 1-year stint at a Buddakan concept in Atlantic City. Even though he originally came to Houston as a consultant, he was hooked after observing Huang's operations at Hunan Post Oak and Hunan Downtown. Since taking over the kitchen at Gigi's, Jett's inclusive Modern Asian menu - which is authentic, not fusion - has garnered rave reviews from all corners

2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost

Chefs Advisory Board

Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.

These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Get in touch and get started today!

The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.