BANGKOK (August 19, 2024) – 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, or email huahinrestaurants@marriott.com.
