Luxury resort showcases global female star chefs

The Datai in Langkawi, a resort with a global reputation for excellence, will showcase some of the world's top female chefs for its 2024-25 edition of The Chef Series.

The Malaysian rainforest retreat has been a drawcard for 30 years now. Here is my report from a decade ago: https://www.gourmetontheroad.com/2014/08/a-magnificent-jungle-resort-with-superb.html.

The Datai's signature dining programme aims to celebrate gastronomic talent from around the world.

With a chef selection boasting nine Michelin stars between them, cuisines from across Asia and Europe will be showcased.

Each chef will create a bespoke menu guided by the produce of Langkawi and the organic ingredients cultivated in the resort’s zero-waste Permaculture Garden.

The names featured in The Chef-fe Series 2024-2025 are:

June 2024:
Florence Dalia of 16 by Flo, Taipei, Taiwan (formerly two Michelin stars)

August 2024:
Cristina Bowerman of Glass Hostaria, Rome (one Michelin star)

October 2024:
Angela Hartnett of Murano, London (one Michelin star) with
Lisa Goodwin-Allen of Northcote, Lancashire, UK (one Michelin star) and
Nieves Barragán Mohacho of Sabor, London (one Michelin star)

January 2025:
Ana Roš (below) of Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia (three Michelin stars and one Michelin green star)



Most of the dinners will be held at the resort’s spectacular fine dining venue, The Dining Room, overlooking the main pool and the Andaman Sea. It's a dramatic setting.

Selected chefs will also offer cooking demonstrations, some giving guests the chance to join a cooking masterclass.

Arnaud Girodon, CEO of Datai Hotels and Resorts, said: “This year’s ‘Chef-fe’ edition of The Chef Series promises to bring some truly extraordinary culinary experiences to our guests, who have come to know and love our resort for its exceptional dining in the dramatic surroundings of the rainforest.

"Through our guest cheffes, who represent some of the very best gastronomic talents from around the world, we are honoured to have the opportunity to showcase the bounty of exquisite local produce grown on-site and supplied by ethical producers and artisans who share our vision.”

The Datai is situated on the north-west tip of the island of Langkawi in Malaysia. It has 121 rooms, villas, and suites. See www.thedatai.com/events-and-occasions/the-chef-series

Malaysia ready to reopen to tourists

Malaysia has revealed plans to implement a tourism bubble network on some of its most popular island destinations.

Now all Australians need is one of those sneaky travel exemptions for business reasons - which are reportedly easier to come by if you live in a marginal electorate.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said the Malaysian Government is looking at plans to open Langkawi as a tourism bubble pilot project, Travel Mole reported.

Now Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri says the idea has been extended to include the resort islands of Pangkor, Redang, Tioman and Perhentian, as they could reach herd immunity vaccination rates by the end of the August.

That would allow them to reopen by September, the minister said.

A final decision will depend on what protocols the government imposes for a tourism reopening.

"The decision to reopen the tourism sector must be made after an in-depth study and with great care to prevent an outbreak," the Tourism Ministry said in a statement. "At the same time, the ministry is updating and finalising the SOPs for the tourism sector."

As in Thailand, the bubble approach works well on resort islands, that are physically easier to manage tourist movement, Shukri said.

The Prime Minister said those allowed to travel to Langkawi would have to be fully vaccinated and this is expected to be imposed for the other islands as well.

Langkawi is the most northern archipelago located on the west side of Malaysia.

Located 30km off the mainland, the archipelago consists of the main island Langkawi and almost 100 small surrounding islands; only four of them are inhabited.

Langkawi lies close to the border of Thailand with the nearest Thai island of Koh Lipe only a 30-minute boat ride away.

# The Prime Minister and his government resigned late on Monday, leaving plans in limbo.