Phuket’s PRU Sets the Benchmark for Fine Dining
By Kathleen Pokrud
Phuket’s fine dining scene is a vibrant fusion of tradition and innovation, where Thai culinary heritage meets global sophistication. From beachfront restaurants to hidden gems nestled in tropical gardens, the island offers a sensory journey shaped by its multicultural history. Elite+ was fortunate to sit down with Chef Jimmy Ophorst, Co-Owner of PRU, Phuket’s first and only One MICHELIN Star and MICHELIN Green Star restaurant, showcasing a “community-to-fork” gastronomy experience boasting an open theater kitchen, panoramic ocean views and innovative culinary creations that celebrate the best ingredients from across Thailand.
Chef Jimmy began by saying, “When we started PRU back in 2016, there was not much of a food scene in Phuket at all, apart from the local restaurants for local diners. By opening PRU, we wanted to change the dining scene here and target different groups to come to the Island.
PRU has always put the community first; this way we help to protect Thai heritage and support the people who need it the most. But bringing an international status to the Island with, for example, a Michelin Star, we have contributed to the evolving food scene as there now is an amazing mix of fantastic Thai fine dining and international cuisine.”
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Chef Jimmy promotes sustainability and local sourcing. “PRU started as one of the first restaurants in Thailand to promote local produce, not because it is fresh every day, but also because there are so many products that even Thai people have no idea about or have forgotten. This is what we want to showcase in a way that only PRU can present as it has also become the goal at Jampa.”
According to Chef Jimmy, he believes that normally luxury hotels do not go along with fine dining as things happen based on guests' needs. However, they apply the same philosophy at Trisara while all their restaurants are leaders in affording unqiue Food and Beverage experiences.”
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Chef Jimmy admitted that it is not easy to run a successful fine dining restaurant in Phuket. Proudly sharing the factors that contribute to the success of PRU’s prestigious MICHELIN Star, “The Michelin star definitely affords us a lot more traffic while it also offers the opportunity to make the Island shine. We are attracting increased tourist traffic to Phuket. Every single person that has ever been involved in making PRU to what it is now, contributes to that.”
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