Going local

A celebration of chefs in Thailand at the 21st World Gourmet Festival

The show must go on and nothing sums it up better than Anantara Siam Bangkok’s announcement of the 21st World Gourmet Festival.

From Nov 4-8, the festival celebrates local chefs, Thai and Western collaborations, Bangkok’s longest Sunday brunch and an extraordinary gastronomic and cultural journey from around the world.

Opening the festival is the Urban Refugee Dinner (B4,900++) by the Na Projects. The dinner will be cooked by five families from Ethiopia, Pakistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, with all proceeds benefitting the families directly. On Nov 5, choose between chefs Vichit Mukura and Kewalin Pitthayanukul of Royal Osha (B6,000++) or Biscotti chef Alessio Banchero’s dinner (3,000++). The next day sees Gaggan Anand of Gaggan Anand restaurant (B12,000++) whip up an 18-course Escoffier-inspired menu, which he is keeping under his toque. On the same day, chef Pisit “Jino” from Anantara Golden Triangle and chef Rick Dingen from Madison will also be cooking (B3,500++) at the Spice Market.

Nov 7 has three dinners to choose from: chef Amerigo Sesti from the Michelin-starred J’aime by Jean-Michel Lorain (B4,00++); chef-patron of Pok Pok restaurants in the US, chef Andy Ricker (B1,800++) will be cooking a vegetarian northern Thai menu; and from the Michelin-starred Ginza Sushi Ichi chef Inoue Manabu and chef Kawaguchi Daiki from Ginza Tenharu will partner to present their signature dishes of sashimi, nigiri and tempura in one menu (B8,000++). The Japanese chefs will also conduct a sake masterclass (B3,000++) on the same day.

The festival culminates with Bangkok’s longest Sunday brunch (11.30am5pm, B2,900++ for food only) with chef Garima Arora of Michelin-starred Gaa and Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants Choy Ped Yang, Yaowarat Toasted Bread, Ni-Ang NamKaeng Sai and Sarinthip Thai Crispy Crepe.

A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to the HRH Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha HIV Prevention Fund.