Phetchaburi local food project seeks ‘The Lost Taste’
Phetchaburi local food is being highlighted under a national project aimed at preserving traditional dishes and promoting them as part of Thailand’s cultural heritage.
Phetchaburi Province held a committee meeting on 15 May to select local dishes under the Thailand Best Local Food project, known as “The Lost Taste”. The meeting took place at the Phetchaburi Provincial Cultural Office and was chaired by Mr Chaiphon Phutonglom, Deputy Governor of Phetchaburi.
Mrs Kanyaphat Nangngam, Phetchaburi Provincial Cultural Officer, attended the meeting with committee members from government agencies and related sectors.
The project aims to identify local dishes that are at risk of disappearing and develop them so they can become better known among wider audiences. It also seeks to add value to local herbs and ingredients, while encouraging younger generations to appreciate traditional food.
Mrs Kanyaphat said the initiative would help preserve local knowledge and pass it on to future generations.
The selection is being carried out under five criteria as part of the “One Province, One Menu: Celebrating Local Food” activity for the 2026 fiscal year. The activity is also intended to support the promotion of local food in international markets.
Five dishes from Phetchaburi have passed through to the consideration stage. They are Phumarin Bin Ko, banana stem jungle curry with phran chillies, neem herb salad, beef curry with som, and sweet and sour pork rib soup.
The provincial committee will consider and rank the dishes before submitting them to a central committee for further selection. The results will then be sent back to the Phetchaburi Provincial Cultural Office, which will publish the shortlisted dishes on social media.
Members of the public in Phetchaburi and other provinces will be invited to vote for their preferred dish. The vote will help determine one dish to represent each province under “The Lost Taste” project for 2026.
Mr Chaiphon said the selection was not only about choosing the most delicious dish, but also about recognising the roots of Phetchaburi’s food culture and using it to create income and pride for the province.
