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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
Lifestyle

Sound the fire alarm for ‘Chilli Fest’!   

Discover bold flavours guaranteed to spike your dopamine levels to new heights at Thailand’s first ever “Chilli Fest” coming up on Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28 May 2023, in the lush urban oasis that is Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.  

Featuring top restaurants from across the city and beyond, Chilli Fest takes over Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, the most happening Langsuan landmark, to present an exciting weekend jam-packed with MICHELIN-calibre chefs, hot entertainment, an eye-watering chilli-eating competition, and much besides.    

Tackle the heat with beloved street food favourites from the spiciest parts of the world, including Mexico, India, China, Chile, Indonesia and, of course, Thailand. All prepared by talented chefs from upscale Bangkok restaurants and participating IHG properties in Southeast Asia with dish prices starting from just THB 100.    

Headline acts presenting their searingly spicy dishes include:    

  • Haoma: Chef Deepanker Khosla, innovative mastermind behind this one-MICHELIN Star neo-Indian restaurant, and holder of a MICHELIN green star for sustainability, serves up fiery Banaras Ki Chaat, Lahori Chicken Ribs and Tiger Prawn Madras Curry with Dried Shrimp Pulao.    
Tiger Prawn Madras Curry with Dried Shrimp Pulao - Haoma
  • Baan: This MICHELIN Guide family-style, comfort Thai food restaurant will present its signature Khao Ka Pao Nua and Khao Soi Gai. Don’t forget Baan is part of the portfolio of Chef 'Ton' Thitid Tassanakajohn, maestro of one-MICHELIN starred Le Du, holder of the coveted no. 1 spot in Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2023, and Nusara at no. 3.   
Ka Pao Nua - Chef Ton, Thitid Tassanakajohn - Baan
  • SANEH JAAN: Chef ‘Toi’ Pilaipon Kamnag’s One MICHELIN-Star eatery famous for its first-class ingredients from across Thailand prepares Khao Mun Som Tum and Gung Pad Prik Ki Nu Suan.    
Papaya salad with rice cooked in coconut milk - Saneh Jaan
  • RESTAURANT CODA BANGKOK: Chef ‘Tap’ Supasit Kokpol, founder of this contemporary Thai-Chinese restaurant and successful challenger on Iron Chef Thailand, presents his culinary creativity in such fiery forms as Fish Terrine, Charcoal-Grilled Cuttlefish and Mango Burnt Chilli Shaved Ice.    
Hiramasa Fish Balls - Coda Bangkok
  • Hong Bao: One of Thailand’s most popular Cantonese-Style restaurants brings on the heat from southern China with Steamed Shrimp Wontons with Red Oil and Sze Chuan Stir-Fried Chicken with Dried Chili.    
Steamed shrimp wontons with red oil - Hong Bao
  • Gaby & Megan: Female power is on fire in the kitchen as Megan Leon and Gaby Espinosa Real exercise their skills honed at Bangkok’s Bo.Lan, Nahm, Eat Me and Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh. The dynamic duo teams up to serve Aguachile with Shrimp and Chorizo plus Potato Flautas with Avocado Crema and Spicy Red Salsa.    
Aguachile with Shrimp - Megan Leon and Gaby Espinosa Real

IHG Hotels & Resorts talent is represented by Chilean Chef Rodrigo Martinez from InterContinental Saigon, Vietnam, and Indonesian Chef Rangga Perdana Putra from InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar, Indonesia.  In a special Mexican collaboration comes Chef Jaime Rojas from Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road and Executive Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara from Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. Last but not least, Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection presents Top Chef Thailand contestant Chef ‘Golf’ Phukvarun Watchmon and her repertoire of authentic Thai flavours with modern twists.    

Cool off from the heat with Two to Tipsy by Roast crafted ice creams, including a one-off chilli recipe created especially for the event, paired with an extraordinary tipple.   

Two to Tipsy by Roast

Fancy your chances as a hot head? Then put yourself forward for the chilli-eating competition to vie for a grand cash prize of THB 10,000. Show your mettle by munching on increasingly hot chilli peppers, up to a scorching 2,200,000 Scoville heat units. The last competitor standing is the ultimate winner while 2nd and 3rd place contestants receive dining vouchers worth THB 7,000 and THB 4,000 respectively. Entry to the contest is free to whoever dares!   

Tacos al Pastor - Chef Jaime x Chef Lamberto
Lobster Balado - Chef Rangga Perdana Putra - InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar

Other exciting activities include: a chance to shop gourmet hot sauce by That Daeng Sauce and Firepower Hot Sauces; application of free small chilli tattoos by California Ink Bangkok, a fire show and entertainment by DJs and live bands, and; the chance to be the first to wander through the “Hot House” greenhouse built specially to propagate the different varieties of chillies that spice up Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok’s kitchens.    

The Chilli Fest takes place at Urban Oasis on Saturday, 27 May 2023 from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Entry at THB 150 comes with one complimentary drink (early bird: THB 100). A portion of proceeds will be donated to CCF Foundation.    

A heat-packed Sunday Brunch with the guest chefs rustling up their heat-tastic dishes at live stations is served from 12:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 28 May 2023 at Stock.Room, 5th floor, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. Priced THB 2,550++ per person, including soft drinks, or can be paired with unlimited tipples for THB 3,500++ per person. Children ages 6 – 12 can enjoy the fête for THB 888++, and children under 6 dine free.    

For information, please visit https://bit.ly/BKPostChilliFest or call 02 056 9999.    

Don’t miss!   

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