About OTR
Who We Are
OTR launched in August, 2022, for two primary reasons.
First, and most importantly, is storytelling. We are big believers in longform journalism, the stuff that shines a light on fascinating subjects and has us making mental notes about things we never knew before. That's our mission with the channel- to tell stories, cover compelling topics, and maybe even make a small contribution to the historical record by uncovering details that deserve to be preserved.
And second, we simply needed something to do. Stuck in Thailand, far from our restaurant business in China, we didn't know where we'd be living in a year, and found it hard to crack into a job market decimated by COVID. So we made the best of our situation by exploring, helped by a network of chefs and food industry friends we met through our contacts and old colleagues. And the more we explored Southeast Asia, the more we fell in love with the place, and the more stories we found that simply begged to be told. So we built a team, signed a long-term lease, and officially decided what we'd probably known since we arrived- Bangkok would be our new home.
About Us
Adam Gottschalk
Daria Burdinskaia
Adam Gottschalk
Host and Writer
New York-born, Virginia-raised, journalist-turned-chef-turned-journalist, and one of China's most successful restaurant developers. Adam opened more than a dozen successful restaurants in ten years in China, winning awards for casual-modern venues including Starling, Keg Room, Ron Mexico, and Cabana. Adam has consulted with
Host and Writer
New York-born, Virginia-raised, journalist-turned-chef-turned-journalist, and one of China's most successful restaurant developers. Adam opened more than a dozen successful restaurants in ten years in China, winning awards for casual-modern venues including Starling, Keg Room, Ron Mexico, and Cabana. Adam has consulted with major hotel groups and also led projects in Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Away from the restaurant business, Adam still wakes up before sunrise to watch the Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Bills, plays a very mediocre guitar and drums, and moonlights as the play-by-play announcer for TV broadcasts of Thailand's hockey league. He lives in Bangkok with Daria and their two rescue dogs, Blanca and Vango.
Boris Meshkov
Daria Burdinskaia
Adam Gottschalk
Videographer and Director
Originally from Russia, Boris first crossed paths with Adam while filming a documentary on the music scene in Shenzhen, China. Along with that country, Boris has worked in videography and production in Hanoi, Los Angeles, and Bangkok, where his short film Crush is currently making the festival rounds. Boris joined
Videographer and Director
Originally from Russia, Boris first crossed paths with Adam while filming a documentary on the music scene in Shenzhen, China. Along with that country, Boris has worked in videography and production in Hanoi, Los Angeles, and Bangkok, where his short film Crush is currently making the festival rounds. Boris joined OTR with his unique filmmaking style in January of 2024 and in his few minutes of remaining spare time, he can be found playing guitar and drums in a Bangkok-based punk rock band.
Daria Burdinskaia
Daria Burdinskaia
Daria Burdinskaia
Social Media and Art Direction
Raised in the Russia's Far East, Daria came to China for college and never left Asia. Daria entered the alcohol industry in 2015, first serving as events and marketing manager for a wine company, then rising within the craft beer business to the position of national director with multiple domestic brands. Dar
Social Media and Art Direction
Raised in the Russia's Far East, Daria came to China for college and never left Asia. Daria entered the alcohol industry in 2015, first serving as events and marketing manager for a wine company, then rising within the craft beer business to the position of national director with multiple domestic brands. Daria has also used her new and digital media expertise to consult with numerous F&B groups, and currently spends her days (when not running OTRs Instagram) heading the marketing team of a leading THC vape company. Outside of work, Daria can usually be found on a patio somewhere with a bottle of wine, or training for competitive distance races and sports competitions.
Adam Maji
Daria Burdinskaia
Daria Burdinskaia
Fixer
Everyone needs a fixer, and Adam is the best there is. Born in Bangladesh, Adam has lived in Thailand for close to twenty years, where he's picked up the language, the culture, and all of the hidden secrets for how to navigate this crazy place. Adam has spent years opening the doors to "real" Thailand for everyone from backpackers to
Fixer
Everyone needs a fixer, and Adam is the best there is. Born in Bangladesh, Adam has lived in Thailand for close to twenty years, where he's picked up the language, the culture, and all of the hidden secrets for how to navigate this crazy place. Adam has spent years opening the doors to "real" Thailand for everyone from backpackers to VIPs, and in between, he's found time to establish himself in the food and beverage industry, opening Thai restaurants in both Koh Samui and in the Philippines. Adam accompanies the crew on road trips and is a valuable member of the OTR team.