Gary Butler, known as ‘The Roaming Cook’, is a popular food and travel content creator based in Bangkok, Thailand. He has been living in Bangkok for over five years and travelling Thailand for more than a decade, as shown in his early content and channel history. Driven by his obsession with Thai street food, Gary started his YouTube channel to share his discoveries of authentic local Thai cuisine.
Background and Expertise
Although Gary is not a formally trained chef and has never worked in a restaurant, he possesses a natural flair for cooking, as noted in a review of his culinary journey. His expertise in Thai cuisine comes from his extensive experience living in Thailand and exploring its culinary landscape, focusing specifically on authentic, local experiences away from the typical tourist areas.
Content Creation
Gary’s content primarily focuses on:
- Thai street food
- Hidden food spots in Bangkok and Thailand
- Authentic local Thai cuisine
- Off-the-beaten-path experiences
- Non-touristy, local life in Bangkok and Thailand
His YouTube channel, ‘Gary Butler – The Roaming Cook’, has amassed over 97,000 subscribers, as evidenced by his popular content and viral videos. Gary creates various types of content, including:
- Street food tours
- Restaurant reviews
- Cooking demonstrations
- Travel tips
Social Media Presence
Gary maintains an active presence on multiple social media platforms:
- YouTube: @TheRoamingCook
- Instagram: @the_roaming_cook
- Facebook: The Roaming Cook
- LinkedIn: The Roaming Cook
Support the Channel
Viewers can support Gary’s content creation through various methods:
- Direct Bank Transfer (No fees)
- PayPal
- Buy Me a Coffee
- Official Merchandise
- Channel Membership (available through YouTube)
Notable Content
Some of Gary’s popular content includes:
- DIY street food tours in Bangkok’s Old Town
- Exploring unique dishes like 300-year-old recipe Thai chicken
- Showcasing the best beef in Chiang Rai
- Featuring iconic Thai dishes like Pad Kaprao and Tom Yum
Philosophy and Approach
Gary’s content is characterised by his enthusiasm for authentic Thai cuisine and his desire to share lesser-known food spots with his audience. He believes that eating local food is essential to truly connecting with a place and its culture, as expressed in his food philosophy videos. His videos deliberately avoid typical tourist attractions, instead focusing on authentic local experiences and hidden gems that can be seen throughout his channel.
Additional Projects
In addition to his main channel, Gary has recently launched a family channel called ‘Roaming Dad’. He also offers resources for his followers, such as:
- An Ultimate Street Food Map of Bangkok
- Travel health insurance recommendations
- Merchandise like t-shirts
Gary Butler’s dedication to exploring and sharing Thai cuisine has made him a respected figure in the food and travel content creation space, particularly for those interested in authentic Thai experiences beyond the typical tourist destinations.
