Draft:Marisa Chearavanont

Marisa Chearavanont ( มาริษา เจียรวนนท์, born March 7th, 1964) is a philanthropist, social entrepreneur, and art collector. She is Special Advisor to Dhanin Chearavanont, Senior Chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group, a multinational conglomerate. She is also Founder and Chairman of Chef Cares Project and Chef Cares Foundation. In the contemporary art circle, Mrs Chearavanont is Founder of Khaoyai Art, a Thailand-based art institution that is responsible for the creation of Bangkok Kunsthalle and Art Forest Khaoyai. She is also patron and member of committee of a number of art institutions worldwide.

Early Life

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Mrs Chearavanont moved to USA at the age of 18. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business at New York University and worked at Nomura Securities International Inc. It was in New York that she met her future husband Soopakij Chearavanont. They married in 1988, relocated to Thailand and have birthed 4 children, including Tanit Chearavanont. Mrs Chearavanont became a Thai citizen in 1990.

Careers

A firm believer and actor for philanthropic causes, Mrs Chearavanont initiates and patronises various social, educational and cultural enterprises. In 2005, she co-founded The BUILD, a foundation that builds schools and introduces career-training inputs in remote countrysides for marginalised communities. In light of gastronomy, Mrs Chearavanont collaborates with Thailand’s top chefs and inaugurates Chef Cares Projects and Chef Cares Foundation, using culinary arts and food innovations to propel for positive and sustainable social impact, and has ever since been serving as CEO and chairperson respectively.

In 2023, she founded Khaoyai Art, a Thailand based contemporary art institution, and oversees the creation and launch of Bangkok Kunsthalle and Art Forest Khaoyai.

Chef Cares

During Covid-19 pandemic, Mrs Chearavanont created an alliance with more than 70 top chefs and Michelin starred chefs in Thailand, including Chumpol Jangprai, Jay Fai and Deepanker Khosla, to cook and deliver fresh, imaginative and nutritious meals to frontline medical workers, transit personnels and communities in need. Later, she founded Chef Cares Foundation with the vision to use culinary arts to create positive and sustainable impact to Thailand and beyond.

The Foundation not only continues its humanitarian works by donating foods to marginalised communities but also unveils more social and cultural projects. Its lighthouse project called Chef Cares Dream Academy has its goal to offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to juvenile delinquents and underprivileged youths and transform them to become professional chefs. The programme enlists 12 youth per year and teaches them professional cooking skills as well as English language lessons, life coach sessions and stagière experience in Michelin star kitchens. The project has entered its 4th year of running, empowering more than 30 youths, many of whom now work in Michelin star kitchens.

Through Chef Cares Foundation, Mrs Chearavanont hybridises promotion of Thai gastronomy with contemporary art. She invited Jay Fai to perform as a culinary artist at Museo Novecento during Florence Art Week in 2022. Jay Fai brought over her traditional Thai kitchen equipments to Italy which made this cultural performance go viral in both Thai and international media. In 2023, Mrs Chearavanont invited Jay Fai to reprise her performance during Frieze Seoul at Korea Furniture Museum ( 한국가구박물관 ). Reportedly, she introduced Jay Fai to Nongshim, kicking off the chef's collaboration with South Korea's instant noodle brand Shin Ramyun.

In light of the Foundation’s funding, in 2023, Mrs Chearavanont launched Chef Cares Projects, a social enterprise that produces and sells nutritious ready-to-eat meals using the unique recipes given to her by Michelin star chefs. The ready meals, including Chicken Tikka Masala and Nam Prik Long Reu Rice inspired by Thai royal cuisine, are sold at 7-Eleven nationwide. 100% of the profits from Chef Cares ready meals are donated to the Foundation to fulfil its social and cultural goals.

Contributions to Contemporary Art

Mrs Chearavanont is noted for her contributions to the contemporary art scene. She serves as Asia-Pacific Acquisition Committee for Tate Modern (London) and International Leadership Council for New Museum (New York City). In 2022, Ms. Chearavanont was the first recipient of RINASCIMENTO+ Award for her role as an art collector. In Asia, she is a Founding Patron for M+ Museum (Hong Kong) and member of BACC Foundation committee (Bangkok) as well as being appointed senior expert by Thailand’s Ministry of Culture and Office of The Prime Minister to advise and oversee the development of contemporary art, culture and national identity in Thailand.

In 2023, she founded Khaoyai Art, a Thailand-based contemporary art institution, with the vision to nurture Thailand’s contemporary Thai scene and improve the ecosystem of contemporary art industry in Thailand. She oversees the creation and launch of Bangkok Kunsthalle, a multidisciplinary exhibition venue to showcase world-class artists, including Michel Auder and Korakrit Arunanondchai.

Positions and Accolades

AWARDS

1. Yuthitham Damrong Chan Tee See Honours (2024): Recognition for Contributions in Social Justice; Ministry of Justice; Thailand
2. Women of The Year (2024): Thai Cuisine Advocate; Bangkok Post Newspaper; Thailand
3. RINASCIMENTO+ Award (2022): International Award for Art Collector; Italy; First Award Recipient from Asia

EDUCATION

1. The BUILD Foundation: Founder
2. Chef Cares Dream Academy: Founder and Chairperson
3. Teach for ALL: International Global Council

GASTRONOMY

1. Chef Cares Projects, a social enterprise: Founder and CEO
2. Chef Cares Foundation: Founder and Chairperson

ART

1. Tate Modern, London: Asian Pacific Acquisition Committee
2. New Museum, NY: International Leadership Council
3. M+ Museum, HK: Founding Patron
4. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), Thailand: Member of BACC Foundation Committee
5. Ministry of Culture, Thailand: Senior Expert Director of Contemporary Art and Culture Committee
6. National Identity Office, Office of the Prime Minister, Thailand: Senior Expert Director of The National Identity Board