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Meet 5 Female Restaurateurs Redefining Asia's Culinary Landscape

By: GWL Team | Saturday, 17 February 2024

May Kanokwatanawan of After You dessert café

May Kanokwatanawan of After You dessert café

Gulapat "May" Kanokwatanawan emerged as a visionary entrepreneur, opening After You Dessert Café quickly after graduating from university in 2007. May, who spent her early years working in hotel kitchens, conducted considerable recipe research to create a delectable selection of sweets. This commitment established the groundwork for After You dessert café's continuing popularity. With over 30 locations around Thailand and a recent expansion into Hong Kong, May's creation has become associated with indulgence and creativity. The café’s remarkable development resulted in its listing on Thailand's Stock Exchange, demonstrating May's strong financial acumen.

What began as a small business has grown into a culinary phenomenon. May's constant quest of perfection and passion for experimenting resulted in the establishment of Maygori, a specialist kakigori-focused café, which added to the brand's attraction. Despite awards and exponential development, After You dessert café's stock performance on the SET confirms its position as a market leader. As the brand continues to entice palates and enter new markets, May Kanokwatanawan's status as a trailblazer restaurateur is cemented in Asia's culinary scene.