McDang completed his early education at Cheltenham College (Gloucestershire, England), Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, (Washington DC) and at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

[2] McDang's culinary training in New York led to a career as executive chef at The Reach Hotel (Key West, Florida), Food and Beverage Director for Paul Tripp Restaurant Group (Key West Florida), and owner and manager of the Back Porch Cafe in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

[2] He is the author of several best-selling Thai language cookbooks, host of the popular weekly TV program McDang Show, writes weekly food columns for Thai and English-language newspapers, and consults for a number of companies, including Bangkok Airways, Siam Winery,[3] and Wai Wai instant noodles.

The notes for these lectures formed the basis for his first English language cookbook, The Principles of Thai Cookery (2010).

He also writes a "McDang Guide" column in the newspaper Daily News, which presents good foods and great restaurants in Thailand and around the world.