“New Docuseries Featuring Mark Wiens, Showcases An Unexplored Side Of Thailand’s Cultural Street Food”
‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’, is a new groundbreaking docuseries that aims to redefine how audiences experience food television, by peeling back the layers of tradition, culture, and sustainability in a way that has never been done before. Focusing exclusively on Thailand for its first season, the six-episode docuseries delves into the rarely explored plant-based culinary traditions that are deeply embedded in the country’s history but have largely remained hidden from the global stage.
The series features renowned street food vlogger Mark Wiens, along with Thai celebrity chefs, who guide viewers through a captivating array of culinary and cultural experiences, from Bangkok’s ancient breakfast traditions to the spiritual vegetarian festivals that bring together communities in a shared celebration of food and faith. The explosive finale highlights the rarely-seen spiritual mediums of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival; the Ma Song. These enigmatic figures, known for their dramatic and intense rituals, reveal an extraordinary connection between food, spirituality, and cultural identity that has remained largely unexplored in food television.
Unlike other food shows that centre on chefs or Michelin-starred establishments, ‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’ shines a spotlight on the people behind the dishes—street vendors, generational cooks, and community pillars who keep these culinary secrets alive. Featuring stunning cinematography that captures the vibrant markets, lush landscapes, and mouthwatering close-ups, the series balances visual indulgence with heartfelt storytelling.
From a long standing street cart rivalry, to a seller who has perfected his dessert recipe for 60 years, to a young couple brought together by their family’s ancient recipe, the series focuses on the human stories behind the food and emphasizes the deep personal connections that tie these dishes to their creators. Through their voices, ‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’ offers a fresh perspective on Thai culture, food, and its potential as a leader in sustainability.
“This isn’t just a food documentary. This series highlights how traditional foods can guide us towards a more sustainable future.” says director Max Hellier, “We wanted to diversify the conversation about sustainable food by showcasing ancient plant-based street foods and how they have been quietly thriving in Thailand for generations. Especially now as we recognise the importance of sustainable food choices, we believe this fresh perspective is vital.”
With a cinematic approach that blends documentary storytelling with the sensory allure of food entertainment, Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets promises to captivate food enthusiasts, culture seekers and sustainably conscious viewers. The show’s creators have aimed to carve out a unique niche—one that celebrates food as a conduit for culture, history, and sustainability.
Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets is not only a tribute to Thai culinary heritage but also a precursor to a broader conversation. With plans to explore plant-based culinary traditions in other regions, this series aims to celebrate the global heritage of plant-based food from diverse cultures, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable food practices worldwide.
As plant-based diets continue to gain traction worldwide, Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets offers an exploration of how traditional cuisines can inspire sustainable food for our future.
The episodes are guided by well-known personalities in the street food and culinary world, including:
Directed by environmental activists and filmmakers Max Hellier and Joanna Hellier,
Executive produced by Maria Poonlertlarp, former Miss Universe Thailand and environmental activist, who champions sustainable living and environmental awareness, and Miyoko Schinner, renowned vegan chef, plant-based pioneer, and public figure celebrated for her advocacy of sustainable food systems and compassionate living.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestkeptsecretsthai/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestkeptsecretsthai
Language: English & Thai (English Subtitles)
Year: 2025
Directors: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Producers: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Executive producer: Maria Poonletlarp, Miyoko Schinner
Cast: Mark Wiens, Tam Chudaree Debhakam, Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij, Joanna Hellier
Cinematographer: Max Hellier
Editor: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Sound: Sticks & Glass
Country of Production: Thailand
Filmmaker Contact
Joanna Hellier // Climate Cats Studios
joanna@climatecats.io
Max Hellier // Climate Cats Studios
max@climatecats.io
Website:
https://www.climatecats.io
“New Docuseries Featuring Mark Wiens, Showcases An Unexplored Side Of Thailand’s Cultural Street Food”
‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’, is a new groundbreaking docuseries that aims to redefine how audiences experience food television, by peeling back the layers of tradition, culture, and sustainability in a way that has never been done before. Focusing exclusively on Thailand for its first season, the six-episode docuseries delves into the rarely explored plant-based culinary traditions that are deeply embedded in the country’s history but have largely remained hidden from the global stage.
The series features renowned street food vlogger Mark Wiens, along with Thai celebrity chefs, who guide viewers through a captivating array of culinary and cultural experiences, from Bangkok’s ancient breakfast traditions to the spiritual vegetarian festivals that bring together communities in a shared celebration of food and faith. The explosive finale highlights the rarely-seen spiritual mediums of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival; the Ma Song. These enigmatic figures, known for their dramatic and intense rituals, reveal an extraordinary connection between food, spirituality, and cultural identity that has remained largely unexplored in food television.
Unlike other food shows that centre on chefs or Michelin-starred establishments, ‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’ shines a spotlight on the people behind the dishes—street vendors, generational cooks, and community pillars who keep these culinary secrets alive. Featuring stunning cinematography that captures the vibrant markets, lush landscapes, and mouthwatering close-ups, the series balances visual indulgence with heartfelt storytelling.
From a long standing street cart rivalry, to a seller who has perfected his dessert recipe for 60 years, to a young couple brought together by their family’s ancient recipe, the series focuses on the human stories behind the food and emphasizes the deep personal connections that tie these dishes to their creators. Through their voices, ‘Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets’ offers a fresh perspective on Thai culture, food, and its potential as a leader in sustainability.
“This isn’t just a food documentary. This series highlights how traditional foods can guide us towards a more sustainable future.” says director Max Hellier, “We wanted to diversify the conversation about sustainable food by showcasing ancient plant-based street foods and how they have been quietly thriving in Thailand for generations. Especially now as we recognise the importance of sustainable food choices, we believe this fresh perspective is vital.”
With a cinematic approach that blends documentary storytelling with the sensory allure of food entertainment, Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets promises to captivate food enthusiasts, culture seekers and sustainably conscious viewers. The show’s creators have aimed to carve out a unique niche—one that celebrates food as a conduit for culture, history, and sustainability.
Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets is not only a tribute to Thai culinary heritage but also a precursor to a broader conversation. With plans to explore plant-based culinary traditions in other regions, this series aims to celebrate the global heritage of plant-based food from diverse cultures, fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainable food practices worldwide.
As plant-based diets continue to gain traction worldwide, Thai Street Food: Best Kept Secrets offers an exploration of how traditional cuisines can inspire sustainable food for our future.
The episodes are guided by well-known personalities in the street food and culinary world, including:
Directed by environmental activists and filmmakers Max Hellier and Joanna Hellier,
Executive produced by Maria Poonlertlarp, former Miss Universe Thailand and environmental activist, who champions sustainable living and environmental awareness, and Miyoko Schinner, renowned vegan chef, plant-based pioneer, and public figure celebrated for her advocacy of sustainable food systems and compassionate living.
Instagram:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestkeptsecretsthai/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bestkeptsecretsthai
Language: English & Thai (English Subtitles)
Year: 2025
Directors: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Producers: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Executive producer: Maria Poonletlarp, Miyoko Schinner
Cast: Mark Wiens, Tam Chudaree Debhakam, Pam Pichaya Soontornyanakij, Joanna Hellier
Cinematographer: Max Hellier
Editor: Max Hellier, Joanna Hellier
Sound: Sticks & Glass
Country of Production: Thailand
Filmmaker Contact
Joanna Hellier // Climate Cats Studios
joanna@climatecats.io
Max Hellier // Climate Cats Studios
max@climatecats.io
Website:
https://www.climatecats.io
