Food has always been Simon Nakhapreecha’s business. Growing up in Chaing Mai, Thailand, his five senses were always immersed in the rich Southeast Asian cuisine that his parents proudly served in their restaurant. He then spent the greater portion of his life honing his culinary skills in order to creatively adapt the tastes of the Orient for the diverse palette of American diners. These days, guests of Pechanga Resort & Casino can experience the best of Cambodian, Lao, Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cuisines courtesy of Nakhapreecha at Blazing Noodles.

After graduating from the Siam School of Business for Hotel & Airline Management, he cooked for world-class hotels and Thai Airways International in Bangkok. He then owned and managed a Thai restaurant for nearly two decades following his family’s immigration to the United States in 1982. On the side, he outsourced his wealth of culinary expertise and business sense by consulting with clients across the United States and opening restaurants. His travels ultimately led him to Pechanga, where he became the foremost authority on fine Asian cuisine in 2001.

Nakhapreecha’s greatest joy is developing his own interpretations of traditional and popular Asian dishes. His innovative recipes typically award starring roles to some of his favorite ingredients: garlic, pepper, basil and red curry. “Keeping things fresh, simple and spicy in the kitchen is my specialty,” he says.