Street food in the limelight at Bangkok’s World Gourmet Festival in September
It’s the first time in the event’s 20 years that this is happening – giving the country’s incredible street food scene the recognition it deserves.
Thailand’s reputation as one of Asia’s culinary powerhouses has rocketed in recent times with world-conquering fine dining ventures and the introduction of a dedicated Michelin Guide adding lustre to an already legendary food scene.
And the nation’s love affair with gastronomy will be showcased to delicious effect when Bangkok plays host to the 20th edition of the World Gourmet Festival from Sep 2 to 8, 2019.
This year’s edition of the event – one of Asia’s longest-running foodie gatherings – will feature many of the elements that have made it such a fixture in the calendar.
Throughout the weeklong jamboree, which takes place at a single venue – the plush Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel in central Bangkok – 16 garlanded chefs with a total of 13 Michelin stars between them will display their culinary mastery through a range of feasts, cooking displays and events.
Each chef will host two dinners in the hotel’s award-winning Biscotti, Madison, Spice Market and Shintaro restaurants.
Among the myriad highlights at this year’s event will be an appearance by Dutch chef Roger van Damme from Het Gebaar in Antwerp, Belgium who is regarded as one of the world’s leading pastry chefs. On September 5 and 6, he will present master classes of four of his desserts, which will then be served with afternoon tea in the hotel’s lobby lounge.
Other big-hitting draws, meanwhile, include feasts by visiting luminaries Wolfgang Becker of Becker’s Restaurant in Trier, Germany (two Michelin stars), Alan Geaam of Alan Geaam in Paris (one Michelin Star) and Angel Zapata Martin of Barrafina in London (one Michelin star).
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It's not all fine dining at the festival. This year, for the first time, the event will emphasise one of Bangkok's most compelling draws for foodies – its incredible street food scene. Often rated as the world's best city for street eats, the Thai capital has a mind-blowing array of vendors dishing out stir-fries, soups, salads and grilled dishes on its busy sidewalks.
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And many of the city’s most talented street cooks will be on hand at the Anantara Siam Bangkok where they will prepare their specialities for guests in the hotel's Parichart open-air courtyard.
This display of indigenous culinary chops is a central theme for the event, which – according to its organisers – is designed to further enhance Bangkok’s reputation as a gastronomic hub by spotlighting international and local talent.
“Bangkok is taking its rightful place on the international culinary stage, from being ranked as the best city in the world for street food and various top spots in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list to the launch of the Bangkok edition of the prestigious Michelin Guide,” said Jan Van Dyk, Executive Chef of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.
“Therefore, it is fitting that some of the world’s leading chefs will be taking over one of the city’s most exclusive addresses in a gastronomic nod to its recent culinary triumphs.”
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While there's a natural emphasis on Thailand given the location of the festival, Asian chefs, in general, have strong representation at this year’s instalment: An indication of the region’s growing stature as a base for culinary innovation.
Indeed, one of the festival’s most compelling looking special events is an all-Asian affair. The creative driving force behind a food empire that spans three different continents and encompasses restaurants, TV shows and cookbooks, Ian Kittichai is one of Thailand’s most celebrated (and recognisable) chefs.
For one night only (Friday, September 6) he will be joined by Taiwanese hotshots Kai Ho and Richie Lin, of Taipei restaurants Tairroir (two Michelin stars) and Mume, respectively, for a six-hands, six-course collaborative dinner.
Other top Asian chefs strutting their culinary stuff at the festival include Chiho Kanzaki of Virtus in Paris (one Michelin star), Hideki Ii of Shirosaka in Tokyo (one Michelin star), Hajime Otowa and So Otowa of Ciel et Sol in Tokyo (one Michelin star) and Yoji Tokuyoshi of Tokuyoshi in Milan (one Michelin star).
In addition to the celebrity chef feasts, the festival will feature several fringe events in the hotel's lobby as well as soirees in its plush Aqua Bar. The crowd-pleasing World Gourmet Brunch, meanwhile, will provide the festival with an indulgent grand finale on Sunday, September 8, the closing day.
“Since its inception, the World Gourmet Festival has grown in prominence to feature an extraordinary line up of some of the best chefs, winemakers and food experts from across the globe, all gathered together under one roof for a weeklong celebration of outstanding cuisine and superb wines,” added Van Dyk.
Reservations for the 20th World Gourmet Festival at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel are essential and can be made by visiting www.worldgourmetfestival.asia, where detailed information and prices of all the events are available.
Foodies travelling to Bangkok for the festival might consider taking advantage of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel's special accommodation package. Starting from S$800 per room per night, the deal includes accommodation, buffet breakfast and a table for two at a guest chef's dinner each night of the stay period. Visit www.anantara.com/en/siam-bangkok/offers for more information.
