Jam Sanitchat

Jam Sanitchat is the chef-owner of Austin favorites Thai Fresh and Gati, and the author of Thai Fresh: The Cookbook. Since opening Thai Fresh in 2008, she has welcomed thousands into her kitchen through her popular in-person cooking classes. A leader of living wages, Jam has built loyal, long-standing teams at both restaurants—allowing her to return to her native Thailand each year to reconnect with family and gather fresh culinary inspiration.

At Gati, she crafts inventive coconut-milk ice creams featuring local fruits and seasonal ingredients. Her new gluten-free breakfast menu highlights Thai street classics like Moo Ping (grilled pork skewers) alongside globally inspired dishes from her travels. At Thai Fresh, guests enjoy staples such as Larb (pork or mushroom salad with toasted rice), Chicken Rice, and Kao Ka Moo (five-spice braised pork shoulder), paired with creative coffee drinks and gluten-free sweets.

Beyond her roles as chef, teacher, and leader, Jam is also a photographer, potter, gardener, and long-distance runner. Catch glimpses of her vibrant life on Instagram: @jamsanitchat.