Bangkok Banquet Beckons For Rich

[Barney_the_Dinosaur]

TV pizzup anyone?

Bangkok banquet beckons for rich

Some of the world's wealthiest gourmands will be jetting into Thailand this weekend, enticed by a banquet sprinkled with Michelin stars.

The gala dinner will be cooked up by six three-star Michelin chefs and served at a restaurant on the 65th floor of a luxurious Bangkok hotel.

The grand title of the event - "Epicurean Masters of the World" - is matched by its price tag.

The meal will cost diners 1m Thai Baht - about $29,000, or £15,000.

Tax and service are not included.

So far 15 people have reserved seats at the banquet, where they will be joined by 25 invited guests. The Dome restaurant at the State Tower in Bangkok says it is still taking bookings.

GALA DINNER MENU

Dish: Creme brulee of foie gras with Tonga beans

Wine: 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal

Tartare of Kobe beef with Imperial Beluga caviar and Belons oyster

1995 Krug Clos du Mesnil

Mousseline of pattes rouges crayfish with morel mushroom infusion

2000 Corton-Charlemagne, Jean François Coche-Dury

Tarte Fine with scallops and black truffle

1996 Le Montrachet, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

Lobster Osso Bucco

1985 Romanee-Conti

Ravioli with guinea fowl and burrata cheese in a veal reduction

1961 Chateau Palmer

Saddle of lamb "Leonel"

1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

Sorbet "Dom Perignon"

Supreme of pigeon en croute with cepes mushroom sauce and cipollotti

1961 Chateau Haut-Brion

Veal cheeks with Perigord truffles

1955 Chateau Latour

Imperial gingerbread pyramid with caramel and salted butter ice-cream

1967 Chateau d'Yquem

The six top chefs are being flown in from France, Germany and Italy and will each produce one or two signature dishes for the meal.

The 11-course dinner opens with a creme brulee of foie gras, will progress through Japanese beef tartare with beluga caviar, to veal cheeks with French truffles, and be rounded off with gingerbread and salted butter ice-cream.

Each dish will be accompanied by a different fine vintage wine.

Deepak Ohri, the managing director of the Dome restaurant, says the diners will travel from around Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, and include shipping, real estate and gaming magnates.

He would not reveal any of their names.

He said the profits of the enterprise would go to charity, and the main motive behind it was to showcase Thailand as an upmarket tourism destination and investment target.

"Some of these guests have never come to Thailand, and will see this city and maybe in future they will invest here," he told BBC News.

"One of the guests has recently invested substantially into Thailand but has never come here. He is coming and bringing a guest. This is good for Thailand and good for tourism."

He defended the event over its entirely European menu, despite its remit to show off the best of Thailand.

"What we want to do is to improve the standard and inspire Thai chefs to raise their level of inspiration," he said.

"There is only one Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world, and that's in London, has an Australian head-chef and a Singaporean owner."

He also rejected concerns about the environmental effects of flying guests, chefs and ingredients in from all over the world, just for a one-off meal.

If the effect was to promote quality tourism, he said, the result could be fewer tourists coming to Thailand, but paying higher prices.

[luckyluke]

TV pizzup anyone?

Bangkok banquet beckons for rich

Some of the world's wealthiest gourmands will be jetting into Thailand this weekend, enticed by a banquet sprinkled with Michelin stars.

The gala dinner will be cooked up by six three-star Michelin chefs and served at a restaurant on the 65th floor of a luxurious Bangkok hotel.

The grand title of the event - "Epicurean Masters of the World" - is matched by its price tag.

The meal will cost diners 1m Thai Baht - about $29,000, or £15,000.

Tax and service are not included.

So far 15 people have reserved seats at the banquet, where they will be joined by 25 invited guests. The Dome restaurant at the State Tower in Bangkok says it is still taking bookings.

GALA DINNER MENU

Dish: Creme brulee of foie gras with Tonga beans

Wine: 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal

Tartare of Kobe beef with Imperial Beluga caviar and Belons oyster

1995 Krug Clos du Mesnil

Mousseline of pattes rouges crayfish with morel mushroom infusion

2000 Corton-Charlemagne, Jean François Coche-Dury

Tarte Fine with scallops and black truffle

1996 Le Montrachet, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

Lobster Osso Bucco

1985 Romanee-Conti

Ravioli with guinea fowl and burrata cheese in a veal reduction

1961 Chateau Palmer

Saddle of lamb "Leonel"

1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

Sorbet "Dom Perignon"

Supreme of pigeon en croute with cepes mushroom sauce and cipollotti

1961 Chateau Haut-Brion

Veal cheeks with Perigord truffles

1955 Chateau Latour

Imperial gingerbread pyramid with caramel and salted butter ice-cream

1967 Chateau d'Yquem

The six top chefs are being flown in from France, Germany and Italy and will each produce one or two signature dishes for the meal.

The 11-course dinner opens with a creme brulee of foie gras, will progress through Japanese beef tartare with beluga caviar, to veal cheeks with French truffles, and be rounded off with gingerbread and salted butter ice-cream.

Each dish will be accompanied by a different fine vintage wine.

Deepak Ohri, the managing director of the Dome restaurant, says the diners will travel from around Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, and include shipping, real estate and gaming magnates.

He would not reveal any of their names.

He said the profits of the enterprise would go to charity, and the main motive behind it was to showcase Thailand as an upmarket tourism destination and investment target.

"Some of these guests have never come to Thailand, and will see this city and maybe in future they will invest here," he told BBC News.

"One of the guests has recently invested substantially into Thailand but has never come here. He is coming and bringing a guest. This is good for Thailand and good for tourism."

He defended the event over its entirely European menu, despite its remit to show off the best of Thailand.

"What we want to do is to improve the standard and inspire Thai chefs to raise their level of inspiration," he said.

"There is only one Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world, and that's in London, has an Australian head-chef and a Singaporean owner."

He also rejected concerns about the environmental effects of flying guests, chefs and ingredients in from all over the world, just for a one-off meal.

If the effect was to promote quality tourism, he said, the result could be fewer tourists coming to Thailand, but paying higher prices.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Damned i just promised my wife and children to go eat a Padthai this w.e.

[ovenman]

Will there be the ubiquitous roll of toilet tissue on each table, along with a metal container with the forks/spoonk/chopsticks?

[PhilHarries]

Mousseline of pattes rouges crayfish with morel mushroom infusion

No thanks mate, that mushroom infusion plays 'ell with my guts, makes me fahrt like a trooper.

"What we want to do is to improve the standard and inspire Thai chefs to raise their level of inspiration," he said.

You just leave the Thai chefs alone, they do real bluddy good in my opinion. Tell Michelin man where he can shove his stars, they'll be at home there 'cos the sun don't shine.

This was done a couple of years back wasn't it? Bunch of hi-so's sweep majestically into town, stay at a swanky hotel, eat a load of gateaux and talk a load of bolleaux and then sweep majestically out again. How the hel_l does that promote Thailand? I'd rather have khai yang, som tam, khaw neou (sp?) and laarb muu all washed down with chateauneuf de Boonrawd 2007 vintage.

[ovenman]

If the effect was to promote quality tourism, he said, the result could be fewer tourists coming to Thailand, but paying higher prices.

Oh yes, lest we not forget: quality tourists = spending more money.

[apetley]

Does anyone else find it just a little bit obscene that some people fly half way around the world to spend what the average Thai will take 12 years to earn just on one meal?

There is so much more good they could be doing with that money, probably in the Soi next to their own hotel too.

Hope they get the sihts.

[somtaamgaiyang]

TV pizzup anyone?

Bangkok banquet beckons for rich

Some of the world's wealthiest gourmands will be jetting into Thailand this weekend, enticed by a banquet sprinkled with Michelin stars.

The gala dinner will be cooked up by six three-star Michelin chefs and served at a restaurant on the 65th floor of a luxurious Bangkok hotel.

The grand title of the event - "Epicurean Masters of the World" - is matched by its price tag.

The meal will cost diners 1m Thai Baht - about $29,000, or £15,000.

Tax and service are not included.

So far 15 people have reserved seats at the banquet, where they will be joined by 25 invited guests. The Dome restaurant at the State Tower in Bangkok says it is still taking bookings.

GALA DINNER MENU

Dish: Creme brulee of foie gras with Tonga beans

Wine: 1990 Louis Roederer Cristal

Tartare of Kobe beef with Imperial Beluga caviar and Belons oyster

1995 Krug Clos du Mesnil

Mousseline of pattes rouges crayfish with morel mushroom infusion

2000 Corton-Charlemagne, Jean François Coche-Dury

Tarte Fine with scallops and black truffle

1996 Le Montrachet, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

Lobster Osso Bucco

1985 Romanee-Conti

Ravioli with guinea fowl and burrata cheese in a veal reduction

1961 Chateau Palmer

Saddle of lamb "Leonel"

1959 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

Sorbet "Dom Perignon"

Supreme of pigeon en croute with cepes mushroom sauce and cipollotti

1961 Chateau Haut-Brion

Veal cheeks with Perigord truffles

1955 Chateau Latour

Imperial gingerbread pyramid with caramel and salted butter ice-cream

1967 Chateau d'Yquem

The six top chefs are being flown in from France, Germany and Italy and will each produce one or two signature dishes for the meal.

The 11-course dinner opens with a creme brulee of foie gras, will progress through Japanese beef tartare with beluga caviar, to veal cheeks with French truffles, and be rounded off with gingerbread and salted butter ice-cream.

Each dish will be accompanied by a different fine vintage wine.

Deepak Ohri, the managing director of the Dome restaurant, says the diners will travel from around Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, and include shipping, real estate and gaming magnates.

He would not reveal any of their names.

He said the profits of the enterprise would go to charity, and the main motive behind it was to showcase Thailand as an upmarket tourism destination and investment target.

"Some of these guests have never come to Thailand, and will see this city and maybe in future they will invest here," he told BBC News.

"One of the guests has recently invested substantially into Thailand but has never come here. He is coming and bringing a guest. This is good for Thailand and good for tourism."

He defended the event over its entirely European menu, despite its remit to show off the best of Thailand.

"What we want to do is to improve the standard and inspire Thai chefs to raise their level of inspiration," he said.

"There is only one Michelin-starred Thai restaurant in the world, and that's in London, has an Australian head-chef and a Singaporean owner."

He also rejected concerns about the environmental effects of flying guests, chefs and ingredients in from all over the world, just for a one-off meal.

If the effect was to promote quality tourism, he said, the result could be fewer tourists coming to Thailand, but paying higher prices.

Is this subject to the 30% witholding tax?

[khunlungphudhu]

''The six top chefs are being flown in from France, Germany and Italy and will each produce one or two signature dishes for the meal.''

Hope the work permits are in order!

[kmart]

There seems to be a lot of these grand schemes involving 1 million Baht....?

Gout is obviously the latest.

[Losangels]

Hey Taxsin may come for this meal

[jingjoe]

Tonga beans make me "tod mak"

[Jingthing]

I have to admit I would love to eat that meal.

Sure, its obscene, but kind of par for the course for some rich people. I don't see the big harm if they want to blow their money any way they wish.

Edited February 7, 2007 by Jingthing

[Pattaya_Fox]

If they can afford it and obviously want to do it then it`s a thumbs up from me

[Patsycat]

What are veal cheeks?

[Mid]

exactly that .................

veal being young cattle

[davidjtayler]

Don't know about you boys but I'm going for some ganja soup ...

[jEFFREYk44]

Don't know about you boys but I'm going for some ganja soup ...

I prefer veal, medium rare with ganja sauce drizzeled around it like the french do,,,,,,,,and this is stupid, is Thailand to become a "dinner hub?"

[papaya9]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

[naka]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

Philistine

Naka.

[PhilHarries]

I just hope that, being the generous altruistic types they obviously are, the diners leave behind the usual 10% tip.

[luckyluke]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

French cuisine is considered to be one of the world's most refined and elegant stlyes of cooking but it does not mean YOU have to like it,but a lot of other people does(it does not mean i am agree with the stupid prices they ask for this "culinair"w.e.)

[Ulysses G.]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

If Thai food is anywhere close to best in the world, they are certainly doing a good job of hiding the good stuff from me - maybe under a pile of blistering hot chili peppers that destroy your tastebuds completely. I much prefer Chinese, Japanese, Italian and lots of other cuisines.

Man, what I would give for some Chinese food from Clement Street in San Francisco!

[kmart]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

If Thai food is anywhere close to best in the world, they are certainly doing a good job of hiding the good stuff from me - maybe under a pile of blistering hot chili peppers that destroy your tastebuds completely. I much prefer Chinese, Japanese, Italian and lots of other cuisines.

Man, what I would give for some Chinese food from Clement Street in San Francisco!

They seem to specialise in pig's intestines quite a lot in China. Chinese food is best usually outside the country. At least you don't have to bear people spitting sh!t all over the table, and food that is still blinking at you.

[sriracha john]

What are veal cheeks?

It's this:

Veal cheeks

Which comes from this: :D

A calf lies dead in the slatted stall in which it stood for all of its life, with no mother, sunlight or decent food. This is the fate of a calf raised for veal.

All extremely appetizing, eh?

[sriracha john]

As for the

"Supreme of pigeon en croute with cepes mushroom sauce and cipollotti"

We call them "rats with wings" where I come from:

mmmm..... yummy, huh?

[PhilHarries]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

If Thai food is anywhere close to best in the world, they are certainly doing a good job of hiding the good stuff from me - maybe under a pile of blistering hot chili peppers that destroy your tastebuds completely. I much prefer Chinese, Japanese, Italian and lots of other cuisines.

Man, what I would give for some Chinese food from Clement Street in San Francisco!

They seem to specialise in pig's intestines quite a lot in China. Chinese food is best usually outside the country. At least you don't have to bear people spitting sh!t all over the table, and food that is still blinking at you.

You are so right there kmart. Chinese food in downtown Shanghai is definately not for the faint hearted nor the weak stomached.

But it's not only Chinese that suffers from this. Some 20 years back a bunch of mates from UK went to India for a month and, being curry fiends, looked forward to some real Indian curries. They came back most disappointed, the best food they found was Chinese.

Ironically this was just before the England cricket team, on a tour of India, went down with the old Delhi belly after a Chinese meal. But that was probably just excuse #49 for putting in another pathetic performance.

[Briggsy]

I do not believe this story. I believe a meal will take place but with no paying guests only invited ones. Very few would pay a million baht for an Elite card. Who would pay a million baht for a meal? There's nothing particularly special here. Is there an advertisement for the Dome Restaurant? I rather suspect it is. Well done to them for a clever marketing strategy.

[Jai Dee]

Wealthy food experts jet to Bangkok for million-baht dinner

BANGKOK -- Foodies are flying in to Bangkok from far-flung corners of the world this weekend to experience a scintillating 11-course gala dinner -- with a one-million-baht price tag.

Only the most well-heeled food and wine connoisseurs are expected to take a seat at the exclusive table in the Thai capital, where the feast will be prepared by six Michelin three-star chefs from Europe.

"We limit at 40 seats, and right now it's fully booked," said Kanokrat Petchpornprapas, a spokeswoman for Mezzaluna, the restaurant holding the event at the top of one of Bangkok's tallest and most luxurious hotels, overlooking the Chao Phraya River.

Diners are coming from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East to feast on dishes concocted from some of the priciest ingredients in the world, she said.

Alongside the foie gras, Kobe beef, Beluga caviar, black truffles and guinea fowl, the restaurant will serve a different wine with each course, including a 1955 Chateau Latour and a 1967 Chateau d'Yquem.

Notably absent from Saturday night's menu is Thai cuisine, renowned for its fiery flavors. Organizers say that is because they are hoping to inspire Thai chefs with the best food from other parts of the world.

Among the chefs whipping up the cuisine are Heinz Winkler from Germany, Antoine Westermann from France and Annie Feolde from Italy.

Much of the proceeds from the extravagant meal -- which costs more than twice what the average Thai office worker earns in a year -- will go to aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) and Thai development charity the Chaipattana Foundation, founded by the nation's king.

Source: Agence France-Presse - Last updated 11:54am (Mla time) 02/08/2007

[Barney_the_Dinosaur]

All of us from the Fatty Forum are going to attend this exercise in 'Sufficiency'

Its our annual general meeting....

[Prakanong]

What idiots would fly to Thailand only to eat mostly crappy french food-- and NOT eat the best cuisine in the world?

I do not know about Thai being the best cuisine in the world

But

I do know what you mean about flying in to eat French food - go to Paris or the restaurants where they do it better.