Art, Reality, Belonging
Musings from the ‘74 Community
ROSE CHALALAI SINGH
Chef and creative force Rose Chalalai Singh shares her reflections on art, reality, and belonging—shaped by a life lived between Bangkok, Paris, and beyond. From her chef’s table in Paris to new projects in Tbilisi and pop-ups around the world, she offers a glimpse into the experiences and values that continue to shape her creative journey.
Where are you from and where are you now?
I am from Thailand, I was born in Bangkok. I have lived in Paris for 16 years now. Now, I live between London and Paris.
What are you working on recently?
I have a private chef’s table kitchen in Paris where I can host 26-30 people. I’m opening a restaurant in Tbilisi, Georgia – that’s a big project I’m working on right now. I also do pop-up’s around the world, wherever there are interesting projects. Two weeks ago I was in South Africa with the Hendersons chef family in London. We were there cooking together. Sometimes I work with different chefs and sometimes I work alone. A few months ago I went to cook in Istanbul for ‘74. It was so fun, I love to cook in Istanbul. Very nice people and such good products!
A space you return to time after time?
I go to Thailand a lot, and Japan.
Your goal for 2025?
To open this restaurant in Tbilisi, Georgia, Lanthai. To make it a success. And also travel around adventures, cook, make people happy!
What does the word ‘real’ mean to you?
Real – to be honest, to be generous, sophisticated, to understand and appreciate beauty. To be truly generous, no calculations.
What defines your reality?
Everything I do is personal, so everyday, every moment is a reality for me.
Where is it that you most feel like you belong?
Because I travel a lot I am quite happy to be home.
Home, and my kitchen, is where I most feel I belong.
When I’m back in Paris I feel like I belong here.
But I also have a lot of places I love to be in.
Your favorite neighborhood?
The 2nd arrondissement in Paris.
What holds the most power to alter your perceptions?
To know what is good and what is not. And to give to the right moment, space, time.
Everything has to have common sense.
If it doesn’t make any sense – forget about it.
Something for now obscure or intangible that you’d most like to know?
Traveling.
The relationship of art with reality, for you?
Cooking is kind of making art, in a way.
You have to look at the ingredients in front of you, and have to not be afraid to put it together to create something new, and make it delicious. Art is a kind of religion in a way also. I like to be around artists. I like to cook for artists. I like to go to museums, galleries, and look around. For me art is more about the artist.
Istanbul in three words?
Istanbul has got everything. It is a fantastic city. The energy, the people, the geography is incredible. I think it is one of the most perfect lands in the world. Just chaos. Everything.
What’s the real deal?
To take control of your life and to give and to be generous to people. Be kind, elevate, don’t complain, deal with it.