Siam Orchid Thai & Sushi, located at 762 21st Street in Vero Beach, is a local treasure that has been around for 18 years. While the establishment itself is pretty awesome, the man behind the establishment – and the sushi – is our next cool guy. Chef Beam TK (trust me, this nickname is there for a reason as his actual name has lots of letters and syllables in it – Thanasan Kulthepbandid), is an incredibly humble business owner, husband, and father of a 2-year-old. He works seven days a week and loves to make his guests laugh as he’s preparing food for them. Chef Beam TK took over ownership of Siam Orchid two years ago, though he has worked in the restaurant for nearly 12 years.
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“I began as a busboy,” the chef said. “I learned to speak English just by working in the restaurant business, and I caught onto many things while I was working around others and seeing so many different customers.”
Chef Beam is originally from Thailand. He moved to Fort Pierce 12 years ago to be with his mom and his brother. His mom was able to get him a job at a restaurant, and he eventually made his way to the Vero Beach area to become a part of the restaurant community.
“I always make food with love,” he emphasizes. Patrons of Siam Orchid Thai & Sushi enjoy his enthusiasm and the conversations they have with him. “The people in Vero are so very nice,” he said. “I’ve been to bigger cities like New York and Miami and some others, and the people in Vero are the best by far.”
While he meekly admits he devotes much of his life to the restaurant, the 31-year-old chef embraces his off time and says he likes to spend time with his daughter and wife, and absolutely loves watching movies.
“I don’t know that I’m cool, or why anyone would think that,” he said. “I love what I do and love talking and making fun with the people that come into the restaurant.”
Siam Orchid Thai & Sushi is open Monday – Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday 12 – 10 p.m. and Sunday 12 – 9:30 p.m.
I earned my bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, and my bachelor's in nursing from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA. I certainly embrace my experience as a nurse (and have experience as a firefighter and EMT as well), however my passion has always been in the field of journalism. I thoroughly enjoy writing and making words come to life.
When I'm not behind a computer screen typing or in front of a canvas painting, you can usually find me somewhere near the water with my two kids and my husky, Skye (who also blogs and has her own YouTube).
I think small businesses that are locally-owned and operated are far under appreciated so I support and recommend them whenever I can.
Oh, and I am fueled by sunshine, coffee, and pixie dust.
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