Pizzaiolo Team from Peppina

He was born into the heart of Italian culinary tradition. After school, he would help his father in the family shop before returning home to enjoy his mother’s soulful home cooking—an early immersion in food that naturally evolved into a lifelong career. At the age of 19, Paolo left Italy to pursue his culinary ambitions on the world stage.

His journey led him through prestigious kitchens across the globe, including the Four Seasons Hotel at Canary Wharf in London, Aman properties in Jordan and Maui, and later as Executive Sous Chef at Shangri-La Bangkok. He was also appointed Executive Chef at the Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, China. In April 2013, Paolo returned to his roots by opening Appia in Bangkok, a Roman trattoria celebrating simple, honest Italian food. The restaurant quickly earned rave reviews for its authenticity and heart.

A year later, he launched Peppina, a Neapolitan pizzeria born from his travels to Naples where he trained with master pizzaiuoli to perfect traditional Neapolitan dough. Since opening, Peppina has become a go-to for Bangkok’s discerning diners and is the only pizzeria in Thailand and Southeast Asia accredited by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (A.V.P.N.). It has received multiple accolades, including “Best Pizzeria in Thailand & South East Asia” by the 50 Top Pizza Awards, ranking 5th in Asia Pacific and 43rd globally.

Born in Thailand, Chef “M” Thanwa Seesaed moved with his family to Naples, Italy, at the age of nine—an experience that sparked a deep and lasting love for pizza. Starting as a delivery boy, he worked his way up in the kitchens of Naples and Rome, learning the true art of pizza-making in the birthplace of Neapolitan pizza. In 2016, Chef M joined the Peppina team in Bangkok, bringing with him years of hands-on experience and a passion for authentic Italian techniques. He made history by becoming the first Thai chef to be certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (A.V.P.N.), the prestigious global authority on true Neapolitan pizza.

His talents have gained international recognition. In 2019, he earned 3rd place in the Olimpiadi Vera Pizza Napoletana in the gourmet category and secured 7th place in the renowned Caputo Trophy.

Now in his seventh year with Peppina, Chef M has risen to the role of Head Pizzaiuolo. He is responsible for training and mentoring all pizzaiuoli across the Peppina brand, helping the team consistently deliver award-winning pizzas. Most recently, Peppina was named “Best Pizzeria in Thailand & South East Asia,” ranked 5th in the Asia Pacific and 43rd globally by the 50 Top Pizza Awards—an honour Chef M celebrated alongside owner Chef Paolo Vitaletti at the awards ceremony in Naples.