Andy Ricker is the founder/chef/owner of Pok Pok Restaurants formed in Portland, Oregon in 2005 and, at one time, operating multiple locations  in NYC, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In the past Andy has worked as a pumpkin picker, DJ, house painter and construction contractor, ship’s cook, busboy, waiter, bartender, musician, commercial fisherman, outdoor store salesperson, maintenance man and short order cook. To make a living these days, he hosts culinary tours both with Roads & Kingdoms globally and independently in Thailand. Andy first visited Thailand as a backpacker in 1989 and now lives there full time with his wife and 6 cats in Chiang Mai city. Among other achievements and accolades, he is a two time James Beard Award winner, former Michelin Star holder for Pok Pok NY and best selling author of three critically acclaimed cookbooks on the food of Thailand.