Khun Maksavanh Souvannavong (Tou)
Special skill: Starters
Maksavanh Souvannavong, affectionately known as Tou, was born in the Thai-Laotian border to a Thai mother and Laotian father. At thirteen, Tou’s family migrated to Belgium. There he started working in the 1st Blue Elephant in Belgium, initially as a waiter. On his request, he moved to the kitchen and was trained by Khun Layed and Khun Teo, the very first of Blue Elephant cooks and major contributors to setting the standards that became the group's hallmark.

His growing skills and versatility coincided with the expansion of the group and he found himself standing in for the absent chefs of London, Paris and Copenhagen. Then, in 1992, he settled in Paris as an under-chef. He was promoted to Head Chef in 1997. Whilst in Paris, Khun Tou received a number of certificates, notably one from the esteemed Cordon Bleu and another from the prestigious Ritz Hotel for his contribution to Thai Cooking Demonstration. In September 1998, he joined the Blue Elephant in London, and has since then set up his home in the city. As First Chef, he is now an integral part and parcel of the Blue Elephant London team.