Key Information
- Name: M.L. Kwantip Devakula
- Nickname: Pom
- Born: Bangkok, Thailand
- Birth date: October 17, 1961
- Known for: Food creator and reality show judge
- Instagram: @kwantipdevakula
Chef Pom’s name is synonymous with culinary mastery and her reputation as a meticulous, no-nonsense judge on MasterChef Thailand (2017–present). M.L. Kwantip Devakula, affectionately known as Chef Pom, wears many hats—from food creator and reality show judge to devoted mother of three.
The Bittersweet Childhood
Chef Pom was born on October 17, 1961, into a royal lineage as a great-great-granddaughter of King Rama IV. Raised in a strict household, she developed a strong sense of discipline. She recalls that sleeping in was never an option–-her mother would always wake her early each morning to join her in the kitchen.
Unknowingly, Chef Pom had been absorbing the culinary arts since the age of five, starting with simple tasks alongside her mother and grandmother. Over the years, she expanded her knowledge, mastering both Thai and Western recipes under her grandmother’s guidance.
Despite her growing skills, she resisted the idea of formally studying the culinary arts. “No child likes being forced to do something. I might have enjoyed cooking, but having to wake up early and miss out on playing while other kids had fun made me resent it,” Chef Pom told Prachachat.
The Recipe for Success
After earning her degree from the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University, she began her career as an office employee at Loxley. She also explored the entertainment industry, gaining experience as a host, singer, and actress—skills that would later prove invaluable in her culinary career.
Following her marriage, she relocated to the United States, where the challenge of finding familiar food reignited her passion for cooking. Upon returning to Thailand, she revisited her childhood notebooks and drew inspiration from past experiences, rekindling her love for the culinary arts. At 44, after her divorce, she fully embraced her path as a professional chef.
The Main Course
Her breakthrough came when she joined MasterChef Thailand as a judge, a role she deeply enjoyed as it allowed her to mentor contestants using her skills as a mother, teacher, and chef. Her expertise and sharp critiques quickly earned her widespread recognition.
Although raised in a traditional household, Chef Pom has never shied away from adapting to new techniques or learning from younger generations. “Traditionally, I made Chicken Roulade by rolling it by hand. But these days, they wrap it in plastic and use a sushi bamboo mat—it’s faster and keeps the chicken juicier. The first time I saw this, I thought, ‘That’s not fair!’” she joked in an interview with The Cloud.
A Life Full of Flavour
Beyond MasterChef Thailand, Chef Pom found her true passion in teaching, leading her to establish Deva Recipe by Chef Pom, a cooking school. She also hosted YouTube programs such as Kitchen Pom and High Zone Kitchen, where she shared her expertise in food preparation and recipes. When opportunities arose, she took on acting roles in projects like Nobody’s Happy If I’m Not (2023), Peaceful Property (2024), and Club Friday 14: Love & Belief (2022).
As a mother, Chef Pom believes in raising her children with openness and honesty. In an interview with Club Friday Show, she shared a fundamental family rule: “Never lie, whether it’s good or bad. Even if I’m the first to cry, I’ll also be the first to forgive and help fix the situation—not to make it right, but to make it better.”
Chef Pom’s journey is a perfect blend of discipline from her traditional upbringing and the spirit of exploration she embraced along the way. Her life continues to simmer with new possibilities, always ready to discover and create new flavours.