Meet the Grainger Market Traders: Pick Thai
In the mood for some tasty Thai street food? Look no further than Grainger Market’s Pick Thai
Newcastle’s Grainger Market is fast becoming something of a mecca for foodies with new and exciting food stalls setting up shop there all the time.
The latest trader to join the Grainger Market community is Pick Thai, a must-try stall cooking up deliciously authentic Thai street food on Alley 3. We caught up with owner Janny to find out more about her business and what she loves about being a part of the Grainger Market community.
What made you decide to open a restaurant in the Grainger Market?
I moved to Newcastle 20 years ago to study International Business at Northumbria University. As a student, I visited the Grainger Market most weeks. I just fell in love with the place and always hoped to be part of the community one day. There is something really special about the Grainger Market; it’s the heart of the city and I'm so pleased to be here.
Why did you decide to focus on Thai street food?
I’m from Bangkok in Thailand - so food has always played a huge part in my life. Our new store uses fresh and authentic ingredients from back home. I want people to enjoy a genuine eating experience – sharing with people the tastes and flavours of authentic Thai street cuisine.
How have the first few weeks in business been?
They’ve been great. We’ve received lots of lovely feedback about our food and it’s been nice to see people coming up and speaking to them about their trips to Thailand. It’s a real pleasure to see people enjoying our food – it makes all the hard work worthwhile and makes us excited for what's to come.
What inspired the design of your restaurant?
I took inspiration for the design from both my Thai heritage and also from a classic food truck. I spent years eating on the streets of Thailand in both restaurants and from food trucks, so combining these things felt right as they’re a key part of my story. I hoped the seating area would make customers feel welcome and relaxed. So far, that's exactly the feedback we've had.
If you could recommend one of your dishes to a first-time diner, what would it be?
For many customers who are new to Thai food, our Pad Thai is a great dish to try – we have a choice of chicken, king prawns or tofu with sweet and tangy noodles with other little secrets that are full of flavour. Another popular dish is our Massaman curry and rice. It’s hearty and warming – I suppose it embodies the people of the Grainger Market.
We have a team of chefs who have decades of experience cooking traditional Thai dishes. Every ingredient is sourced as locally as possible and is always high quality. If you’re unsure about something or looking to try something new, just let us know and we can tailor our menu to make you something delicious.
What do you love most about being a part of the Grainger Market community?
We have already been working with a few of the other traders - including our neighbours Hector Hall who we use for all of our fruit and vegetables. The guys at Oliver and Eden help us out with fresh chicken too. It's great to have local and quality produce on our doorstep, it makes all the difference to the taste.
The other traders are so friendly, kind and welcoming. They look out for each other, enjoy a good laugh and go out of their way to make new traders like me feel at such ease. It’s a real pleasure to be part of Grainger Market.
Pick Thai is located in Units 104-105 on Alley 3 in Grainger Market and is open between 11am to 4:30pm from Monday to Thursday and between 11am and 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. For more information visit www.instagram.com/pickthaigrainger
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