Suree Coates: Family have helped make this a vintage year
There are still four weeks to go until the end of the year. I'll be rushed off my feet in the kitchen at The King and Thai, in Broseley, cooking for my regulars, first-timers and people enjoying pre-Christmas parties.
But no matter how much work I have to do and how hot it gets in the kitchen, I'll look back on 2013 as being a vintage year.
It's easy to pick out highlights. I was named the UK Curry Chef of the Year 2013/14, beating 1,800 chefs to the title. Even though that happened at the end of summer, I'm still pinching myself now.
I'd poured my heart and soul into my dishes and it was such a thrill to win. The judges called out the winners in reverse order. I knew I wasn't third and then they announced that somebody else was the runner-up. I thought my chance was over. But then I was revealed as the winner – it was unbelievable, the highlight of my career.
It's one thing to win a local competition and another to win one for Thai chefs. But to win one for South East Asian chefs from around the UK is stunning, particularly when there are so many in all of our towns and cities.
I also published my first book, Cook Thai, which has proved to be remarkably successful. People have been able to get an insight into how I prepare their food – and the feedback has been wonderful.
Customers have been coming into the restaurant to tell me how well the recipes worked. It's been an education all round. People love being able to create authentic Thai dishes in their own home.
Every few days, a customer will come up to me or my husband, Simon, and tell me how much they enjoyed the book and how their food tasted. We put a lot of work into getting it right and we're delighted that it's so popular.
Of course, there have also been a few personal highlights. My son, Ross, has made great progress as a junior motorbike racer and it's likely that he'll compete in Europe next year.
I've received remarkable support from both Ross and my husband, Simon, who have been behind me all of the way. I couldn't have published my book or won the curry chef competition without their support. We're a family-run operation and Ross and Simon are integral to what we do.
All in all, it's been a remarkable 2013 and I'm grateful to all the people who've supported me. I hope to see many of you in the run-in to Christmas. It's time to celebrate.
Suree Coates was named UK Curry Chef of the Year 2013. She is chef-patron of the King and Thai, at Broseley, near Bridgnorth. Her debut book, Cook Thai, is available now from www.amazon.co.uk or from her restaurant.
