Mad About Martha

Suthipong Suriya, or Karb, grew up in Nong Khai, where his family runs a restaurant. He developed his artistic and culinary talents with Khru To, ML Jirathorn Jiraprawat, a famous food stylist and columnist. Now he’s on his own creating stylish and appetizing culinary delights. He recently opened Karb’s Studio, a townhouse that he turned into an orange colored workspace to create his edible art.

Describe food styling.

To me it means cooking and making food look attractive. A good food stylist must understand the qualities and structure of the raw materials at hand. It’s similar to what a fashion designer does. In designing an outfit for someone, we must understand the person’s figure: fat or thin, short or tall. A good food stylist must also know how to cook, because not only does it have to look good, the food must be tasty too.

How long have you been doing this job?

About 10 years. At first, I knew I liked food and art but never thought that I could turn this into a career. Then I got the chance to know Khru To. So I became his apprentice. This is how I got on this career path as a food stylist. I also read lots of magazines like Vogue and cookbooks written by Martha Stewart and Donna Hay.

Explain the concept of Karb’s Studio

It deals with all things related to food. We’ll put style, life and nature into our food products. What we are working on now is designing a menu for Chok Dee Dim Sum, ice cream for S&P and packaging for Phanom Rung Rice. Everything must have style. My kitchen studio also offers private cooking classes and private parties. Everything is done in orange, as this color makes people remember me and it’s an appetizing color.

Who is your idol?

Martha Stewart. She can turn house chores into something conceptual and stylish. She has her own magazines, TV shows and products. I’ve watched her cooking show on TV for a long time. I studied her to create my own personality. And now I have a magazine and TV show. The next thing is to launch my own product, which will be a dessert with the name Karb in it.

What do you do in your free time?

If I go out, there are two things that I usually do. First, I like going to bookstores and stay in the cookbook section for a really long time. The second thing I like to do is to go to the market. I like Ratchawat market because I can find anything I want.

Advice for those who want to be food stylists?

First, you must love what you do. You must know how to cook. I won’t recommend this to those who love art but can’t cook.