Seasoned Chef at Thailand’s First INNSiDE Hotel Pays Tribute to Spain
Bangkok, Thailand, August 19, 2024 / TRAVELNEWSHUB / Juan Ignacio García Racionero, the Spanish chef de cuisine at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, will celebrate his native country’s “unique way of life” with two remarkable “Taste of Spain” events.
On Friday September 6 and Saturday September 7 this year, the Madrid-born chef, who oversees INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s signature LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, will take over Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa’s seafront restaurant Big Fish & Bar to orchestrate a four-course feast with optional wine pairing.
He honed his craft in some of Spain’s finest kitchens, working at one Michelin-starred Saddle as well as Diverxo, recognized in the top three ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2023, and acclaimed restaurants El Jardin De La Marquina and Montellen. His decade-long experience as a chef includes stints at restaurants Puerta 57, Café Pino, Restaurante La Chans and Rios De Luz, and hotels including Morlans Hotels and Globales Don Pedro in Mallorca.
To be held from 6pm onwards and priced at THB 3,500++ per couple for food only or THB 4,900++ per couple including a full wine pairing, the “Taste of Spain” dinners will feature Chef Racionero’s most popular dishes at LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar.
The dinner starts out with appetizers such as traditional jamón croquettes, lime-smoked sardine with Pipirrana salad, pani puri with cured Hamachi sashimi and roasted peppers, and crispy layered potato with truffled egg yolk and Idiazabal cheese.
After octopus and shrimp paella, diners can choose between two main courses; Iberian pork cheek with Spanish sauce, mashed potatoes and vegetables, or sea bass fillet with Bilbaina sauce, shallots and bok choy.
A selection of desserts such as Basque cheesecake, Catalan cream mille-feuille with passionfruit, rice pudding with spicy strawberries, and Spanish leche frita (fried milk) will round off the dinner.
As part of the optional wine pairing, beverages include sparkling white Sangria, rose wine, classic dry sherry, aromatic white wine, red wine, oxidative aged dry sherry, crisp white wine and a dessert cocktail.
“The ‘Taste of Spain’ events are my personal way of paying tribute to Spain’s unique way of life, where we celebrate the simple pleasures in life such as Spain’s famed gastronomy, along with the likes of spectacular sunsets and chilled out music,” Racionero said. “It’s a privilege to share my passion for Spanish cuisine, an extraordinary cuisine, in what promises to be a truly immersive experience that takes diners on a culinary pilgrimage of Spain.”
For more information about “Taste of Spain” and reservations, please call +66 (0) 32 904 666
About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening, in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company in the world (chosen as “Sustainability Yearbook Member” in 2024 by S&P Global), as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam.
About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.
INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.
Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.
There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam) .
