Showing posts with label Phuket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phuket. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

SUSTAINABLE FINE-DINING AWAITS AT EQ'S SABAYON X JAMPA DINNER

A four-hands, one-night only dinner partnering Sabayon’s Chef de Cuisine, Steve Ariffin at EQ with JAMPA’s Executive Chef, Rick Dingen from Phuket will be held on 26 April.
 
Billed as a sustainable seven-course menu (RM650 nett per person), the dinner will showcase T’lur – Malaysia’s own local caviar, the vaunted Harumanis mango and exotic ingredient like bael, known as the Bengal quince or wood apple.


The two culinary creatives hope to reframe diners’ perceptions of value, creativity and promote the advantages of sourcing and using local ingredients.
 
Chef and Netherlands native Dingen has chalked up stints at Michelin-starred Dutch restaurants: La Rive and De Heer Kocken. Dingen’s Chef de Cuisine phase at celebrated Bangkok restaurant Savelberg saw the restaurant awarded a Michelin star.
 
He then proceeded to the one Michelin starred and Michelin Green Star Haoma which espoused sustainable, seasonal, local ingredients sourced from farmers, breeders, fisherfolk and the restaurant’s own garden. A subsequent stint at Madison Steak Avenue, Anantara Bangkok prepared him for JAMPA in Phuket.
 
At this one-of-a-kind dining destination, Dingen assimilated his fine dining restaurant experience with the use of local produce and woodfire cooking skills, elevating JAMPA’s fame throughout Thailand where live-fire cooking and sustainable gastronomy result in sophisticated dishes that celebrate the ever-changing seasons of nature. JAMPA also owns an organic farm, reducing their environmental impact while enabling the culinary team to showcase the best from the land and sea.
 

Back on homeground, Chef Steve Ariffin’s three-year tenure at Sabayon has cemented his reputation as a technical innovator. Conceiving and curating menus for some of Malaysia’s most influential personalities, historic wineries and gastronomes, Chef Steve Ariffin will work hand-in-hand with JAMPA’s Dingen, bringing the exclusive dinner to stellar heights.

For reservations, please contact EQ Kuala Lumpur:

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

SAIL AWAY SUCCESS ANTICIPATED FOR ROYAL CARIBBEAN QUANTUM OF THE SEAS


Imagine a huge hotel, shopping mall and entertainment city all rolled into one. Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas is the world's smart ship with an under-stated opulent interior. At 1,141 feet long with 16 decks and an international crew of 1,500, it can accommodate 4,905 guests.
 
Being the cruise newbies we are, the sleek, refined interior adorned with modern accents: glass artworks, arty installations and ambient lighting left an indelible impression.
 
Designer boutiques and epicurean dining venues like Jamie’s Italian restaurant amplify the sense of sophistication. We proceeded to Two70, a theatre-style entertainment and activity space for the welcome address by Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Angie Stephen.
 
In her opening remarks, Stephen said Royal Caribbean International will be celebrating its 50th global anniversary by rolling out a 5-year deployment in Southeast Asia, from November 2019 up to 2024.
“The deployment starts with Quantum of the Seas, one of Asia’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ships after her multi-million dollar refurbishment. The ship is slated to make a record-breaking 55 calls to Malaysia during its upcoming 2020-2021 season, starting October next year.”
L to R: Elya Marini Darmin, Deputy President of the Klang Municipal Council; Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari, Selangor State Exco, Tourism Selangor; Angie Stephen, Managing Director, APAC, Royal Caribbean; Syed Jaaffar Syed Mohamed, General Manager, Boustead Cruise Center and Captain Sindre Borsheim, Master of Quantum of the Seas
Lauding the cruise-friendly infrastructure of Malaysia and the pertinent roles played by the government including local municipal councils, port authorities and tourism stakeholders, Stephen said, “Royal Caribbean will bring 430,000 tourists to Malaysia in the next two years. Quantum of the Seas will be Asia’s largest cruise ship to call in at Port Klang since Kuala Lumpur and Penang’s vast array of gastronomic, cultural and shopping options remain popular with our guests on board.”
She continued, “Cruising holiday is fast gaining popularity amongst Malaysians and the numbers have grown significantly from the time Royal Caribbean started some 11 years ago. Malaysia is one of our fastest-growing markets and Royal Caribbean cruises have everything that appeals to different generations. For the MICE business, we offer customised cruising experiences.”
 
Stephen said while Royal Caribbean incorporates cutting-edge technology to streamline some of its services and facilities on-board, she emphasised it won’t replace their battalion of personnel as the human touch is the key factor in ensuring Royal Caribbean guests enjoy their cruise experience.
 
 
 
 
 
 
After savouring a simple, delicious lunch at the American Icon Grill restaurant, we toured the new facilities: FlowRider, RipCord by iFly, Bionic Bar, an escape room and glow-in-the-dark laser tag on board the Quantum of the Seas.
 
 
 
 
 
It’s easy to be caught up in the palpable excitement, especially when we witnessed how AI is used to power the robotic ‘mixologists’ at the Bionic Bar. Laughter, convivial conversations and happy recreational bustle bore testament of a great time the holidaymakers were having.
 
 
We also took turns to be whisked up high, to admire the surrounding panoramic views from the ‘North Star’ observation capsule. Raised up to 300 ft above sea level, the breathtaking scenery glimpsed from high above was unforgettable.




The hi-tech entertainment facilities inside the ‘Two70’ venue also set the stage for live performances and whimsical large-screen projections.
Different sized pools, rock climbing wall, various shopping and entertainment options, in addition to themed dining outlets will keep the ship’s multi-generational cruise passengers fully occupied. Tour itineraries for whistle-stop ports of call can also be booked on board.
 
 
 

 
 
For more information, visit Royal Caribbean's official website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en?country=SGP or https://www.facebook.com/RCCMY/

 

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