Banyan Tree Looks to Sustainable Nutrition in Post-Covid World
By Lifestyle+Travel
The Banyan Tree Group, one of Asia’s leading hotel brands for sustainability and environmental awareness, has announced that it will launch a range of organic, plant-based menus at its resorts around the world, starting in Thailand later this year.
The Singapore-based Group said it has embarked on several collaborations covering different areas of the food chain, such as championing local procurement and sustainably sourced food through a partnership with two-star Michelin Chef James Noble. Together, Banyan Tree and Noble have broken ground on ORI9IN, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm in the fertile mountains of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand.
Aside from supplying no fewer than 15 Michelin chefs at some of Bangkok’s most elite restaurants, MasterChef-turned sustainable farmer Noble said the joint venture will also include an on-site farm-to-table organic restaurant which is slated to open in October this year.
Banyan Tree currently has three hotels in Thailand – in Bangkok, Koh Samui and Phuket, with a fourth, Banyan Tree Krabi, due to celebrate a grand opening in October 2020. The hotel group, which is highly reputed for its spa and wellness facilities, said it has also formed a partnership with Grassroots Pantry, a pioneering brand in Hong Kong, which is at the forefront of plant-based cuisine in Asia’s fine dining scene.
A capsule menu based on plant-based, immunity-boosting foods and sustainable kitchen practices is to launch in the latter part of this year. The menu will debut at Banyan Tree’s Phuket venues followed by a roll-out at all of its hotels internationally.
This new food-sourcing initiative at Banyan Tree complements an existing policy of enhanced hygiene and safety at its resorts worldwide – protocols introduced in the wake of the current Covid crisis.
In 2019, Banyan Tree Group implemented a Code of Conduct for suppliers to map supply chain transparency in ingredients sourcing and promote socio-environmental practices to develop a sustainable supply chain. To date, over 900 suppliers have registered.
For 2020, in line with marine conservation goals, the Group implemented a 25 percent benchmark of sustainable seafood sourcing by 2025 from sustainable fisheries. Banyan Tree Global Foundation said its experts will review seafood species served at each location and support identification of sustainably certified alternatives and opportunities for its properties.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Joyous Time
The holiday season is even more joyful when celebrated through meaningful collaboration. For the first time, The St. Regis Bangkok has teamed up with local textile artist Rungploy Lorpaitoon to bring festive touches to the St. Regis Bangkok Festive Hampers and ornaments around the hotel this season. The magical atmosphere of the festive season is enhanced by bespoke decorations, such as the “bubble memory” ornaments designed by Rungploy, and the uniquely artistic Christmas tree centerpiece. Beyond decorations, Rungploy has also designed the interiors of the festive hampers, adorned with twelve handmade bubble memories symbolizing each month of the year, along with purple fabric to enhance their elegance. Guests are encouraged to reflect on the past year and cherish these moments of love through the bubble memories. Each hamper is crafted to embody the art of giving. The St. Regis Bangkok Classic Hamper is filled with a curated selection of Italian-inspired holiday delicacies, including Italian biscotti, homemade traditional panettone (yeast-free, made over three days), mixed fruit jelly, chocolate Santa, The St. Regis macarons, chocolate truffles, mixed nut tart, locally sourced Chonburi 70.5% chocolate bar, amaretti cookies, mini “Torroncini” nougat, imported premium apple compote, imported “Morra Tartufi” white truffle oil (a highlight of Winter in Italy), and The St. Regis Blend Tea. The St. Regis Bangkok Luxury Hamper includes all of this plus a bottle of Prosecco Follador, IGT, Italy. The St. Regis Bangkok hampers are available daily at The Lounge from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025. Early bird pricing is available from December 1-15, 2024. Advance reservations of at least 3-7 days are required. The St. Regis Bangkok Classic Hamper – THB 7,200 net, with an early bird price of THB 6,500 net. The St. Regis Bangkok Luxury Hamper (includes Prosecco Follador, IGT, Italy) – THB 8,500 net, with an early bird price of THB 7,500 net. The St. Regis Bangkok www.stregisbangkok.com
By Lifestyle+Travel
Michelin-Star Dining Residency at Biscotti, Anantara Siam!
From 6 November to 30 December 2024, Biscotti at Anantara Siam proudly hosts Michelin-starred Chef Cristina Bowerman from Rome’s renowned Glass Hostaria. With both à la carte options and 3- and 5-course tasting menus, diners can indulge in signature dishes like "Liquid Parmigiano Reggiano Stuffed Ravioli with Butter and Seasonal Truffle" – a Glass Hostaria classic for over 13 years. Other highlights include "Almost A Pizza", a creamy celery root “pizza” with pomegranate molasses, and "Amberjack Sashimi" infused with red beet juice and miso. Conclude this culinary journey with Chef Bowerman’s twist on tiramisu, served in a stunning chocolate sphere, alcohol-free for all to enjoy. With one Michelin star and Three Forks from Gambero Rosso, Glass Hostaria is a must-try for lovers of contemporary Italian cuisine. Don’t miss this exclusive dining experience! ⏰️ Lunch: Mon-Sat (12:00pm - 2:30pm) ⏰️ Dinner: Mon-Sun (6:00pm - 10:30pm) 📞 Call 02 431 9497 📌 Biscotti, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
By Lifestyle+Travel
Sun-Kissed Cuisine
One of the greatest things about Thai food is its diversity of flavours, especially the cuisine from the South of Thailand, where spices combine perfectly with a variety of fresh ingredients from the sea. The Siam Tea Room at Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is taking us on a gastronomic journey to the sun-soaked shores of Southern Thailand this October and November, with a new promotion that celebrates the time-honoured culinary traditions of this tropical region. With its long coastlines, exotic ingredients, and rich cultural influences, Thailand’s southern provinces have developed a highly distinctive style of cuisine that is different from other parts of the kingdom. Now, Siam Tea Room’s talented Thai chefs will showcase these unique flavours with a special menu of eight highly authentic Southern Thai dishes. Diners can treat their taste buds to a choice of enticing appetizers, including chili shrimp paste with fried mackerel, vegetables, and soft-boiled egg (THB 310++), and Southern-style herbal rice salad with fresh tender leaves, fluffy fish, and fermented fish dressing (THB 350++). Two sublime stir-fried dishes are also on offer: stir-fried prawns with sato, chili, garlic, and shrimp paste (THB 410++), and stir-fried malindjo leaves with egg and banana shrimp (THB 410++). Two mouth-watering main courses include Southern-style yellow curry with red snapper and cumin leaves (THB 480++), and Southern-style wagyu oxtail soup with Thai spices, onion, tomato, celery, and crispy shallots (THB 510++). Diners can end their Southern Thai epicurean adventure on a sweet note with a choice of two delectable desserts: khanom la – crispy rice pancake with honey-glazed finger banana and coconut ice cream (THB 190++), and Southern-style iced milk tea with whipped cream and sweet egg floss (THB 165++). The “Southern Thai Sensations” promotion will be available at The Siam Tea Room every day from October 1st to November 30th, 2024. Marriott Bonvoy and Club Marriott discounts apply. The Siam Tea Room Tel: 02 059 5999 Email: restaurant-reservations.bkkqp@marriott hotels.com or book via https://bit.ly/RSVNSTRSukhumvit