Highlighting the best of modern Thai cuisine, its culture and fine selections from one of Thailand’s premier wineries, a unique Thai epicurean journey for Manila’s gourmands and gastronomes hosted by Benjarong at Dusit Thani Manila was well received during its two-day run.
Thanintorn Chantharawan, or Chef Noom, the executive chef of Michelin-starred restaurant Chim by Siam Wisdom and Nikki Lohitnavy, oenologist and winemaker of GranMonte, flown in specially for the wine dinner dubbed as “Epicurean: A Thai Gastronomic Journey”.
All the way from Bangkok, Chef Noom visited Manila to collaborate with Benjarong’s resident chef, Watcharaphon Yongbanthom or Chef Ja, for the six-course dinner pairing with GranMonte wines. This collaboration was a Thai food lover’s dream as they came up with well-planned and executed dishes such as Scallop with Aubergine Chutney, Geang Phed Gam Moo, River Prawn with Kaffir Lime Spice Curry Sauce and more.
The wine dinner featured GranMonte wines with the finesh and freshest estate-grown produce from the Asoke Valley vineyard in Khao Yai, Thailand. Nikki brought their international award-winning wines for the two chefs to pair with their creations.
The clever pairings for the dinner showcased a deeper appreciation of Thai flavors that were nicely complemented with the refined taste of wines.