Thai food is much loved back home, but I've discovered is much more to it than I ever realized.

Way got a great level of Thai food in the U.

K No.

Two ways about that, but it's nowhere near as spicy as it is over here, in a way dumbed down to sort of suit the British planet, which is a great shame.

I've learned some of the secrets of authentic spicy Thai curry, and now I want to master southern Thai seafood.

I'm heading 1200 kilometers south to the crabby coast where they serve some of the best in the world.

Today it's the annual food festival.

I'm hitching a ride with a crack squad of local home cooks who have high hopes of winning top prize in today's fish paste competition.

Hello, how are you?

Nice to see you.

Your first name?

Sweet.

So two.

No, I'm saying goes, Pitch pitch, high pitch deep voice.

Okay, here we go.

The home cooks are Thailand's answer to the Women's Institute, but they have an open door policy with any other guys they're cooking, or we'll have the only guy you, honey?

Me?

Yes, I was.

Fish paste is the bedrock of Thai seafood dishes, and it's an important part of my education.

Who's the expert here?

Mama?

Queen of the Fish Place.

Amazing.

Amazing.

Amazing.

Okay, let's go.

The festival is like the crabby food Olympics with lots of incredible categories.

It's a right pounding competition.

Youngest entrance 94.

Amazing.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Amazing.

Look.

Look at that immaculate.

That's a very serious competition going on here suddenly as if we're up next.

It's time for the main event.

I'll be ready.

You serious?

Oh, my place.

Don't worry about it.

Yeah, Yeah.

I feel like I've got suspenders on non Is trying to make me look as pretty as he is.

Pretty stupid.

Wait.

All right, What's another doing?

First, I want to learn how to make my own paste.

So the group is split into team Mama in one corner on Team Ramsey in the other.

Excellent.

Thank you, kid.

Okay.

I'm relying upon my teammates for the recipe so far.

Garlic young, fragrant, darling, Timorous.

Look at it.

Useful.

Okay.

Jesus.

Next, the star ingredient.

Fish guts.

So that's fish, kidneys and livers fermented for two weeks, right?

Makes me the south.

The spicy pace goes in and then some dried fish to strengthen the flavor.

The recipe is uncomplicated, very straightforward.

But the secret is get the balance right.

I'm going to check out the competition.

Very good.

Very spicy.

Oh, my God, That's spicy.

Thank you very much.

Oh, my God.

Time to find out what they think of mine.

Tasted.

Yeah.

Yeah, Well, the faces love everything.

Kim.

Kim Kim Salty.

Really?

She said they were induced to fix the taste.

I think I need Mama's expert opinion.

What does that mean?

Salty.

Damn!

Damn!

Damn!

Damn!

Your mom's is not that salty.

Almost got that sort of rich texture there, huh?

Is, uh Yeah, amazing.

Nice sort of salty, sweet, sour flavor as instantly too salty.

Well, Mama's in with a good chance.

Even if I'm not the judges of court time.

Hello, ladies.

Lucky number nine.

Slightly salty.

But it's got the backup of the sweetness as well.

Please don't look confused.

Look happy.

I'm going to be here.

Good luck is out of my hands now.

We wait for the judges to deliver the verdict.

Yeah, it's not just me.

Sadly, team member have been pipped to the post as well.

Come again First, we'll take a second.

Okay, well done.

Okay.

This'll must be some of the stress free cooking I've ever been involved because everyone's having fun.

Relax on this.

So generous with their offerings in terms off the knowledge.

The most important thing is I have the winning recipe.

Now I just have to put that into practice and kick Dang's but unbelievable time for bear, a big one.