Kalaya's Nok Suntaranon awarded North America's Best Female Chef

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- An acclaimed local chef is celebrating a new honor.

The inaugural list of North America's 50 Best Restaurants was announced at an awards ceremony Thursday night in Las Vegas.

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Chef Nok Suntaranon's restaurant Kalaya in Fishtown ranked number seven. It was the highest ranking for a restaurant in Philadelphia and the only Southern Thai restaurant on the list.

Suntaranon was also named North America's Best Female Chef.

The award touted Kalaya's efforts to preserve, authentically represent, and educate diners on the bold flavors and dishes of Southern Thailand.

RELATED: Chef Nok Suntaronon from Kalaya goes viral for entertaining baby so parents can enjoy dinner

Recently, Chef Suntaranon went viral for entertaining a baby so his parents could enjoy a quiet meal at her restaurant.

Other Philadelphia restaurants that made North America's 50 Best Restaurants list include Friday Saturday Sunday at #16 and Royal Sushi & Izakaya at #32.

To check out the full list, visit TheWorlds50Best.com.