BALI, Indonesia – Soori Bali has welcomed two seasoned professionals who collectively bring almost four decades of experience to the beachfront resort in Bali’s pristine Tabanan Regency.
Andy Taylor joins the recently relaunched resort’s Soori Spa as its traditional medicine practitioner and Diego Martinelli comes aboard as the new executive chef.
An accredited oriental medicine practitioner in the United States and licensed acupuncturist in California, Taylor practiced traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for about a decade and a half. He has worked clinically in this field around the world since 2009.
He earned a Master of Science in Traditional Oriental Medicine at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California, where he studied the treatment of orthopaedic disorders, sports medicine, herbal medicine and Japanese acupuncture.
Taylor continued post-graduate studies in Taiwan, where he became fluent in Mandarin and learned a system of traditional bone and joint mobilization that predates modern osteopathic and chiropractic medicine in the West. He also lives and practices tea as medicine called Cha Dao.
During his 22-year career, Martinelli worked in Four Seasons hotels in his native Italy, in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Qatar and Egypt, before joining Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts Bali’s Il Ristorante as its head chef 10 years ago.
He cooked at the Lighthouse at Singapore’s Fullerton Hotel as it won a host of awards, before stints as brand chef ambassador at Umberto Cesari Winery in Bologna Italy and executive group chef at Singapore’s iO Italia Restaurant and Bistro.
Martinelli returns to Bali after more than two years as executive chef at Le Cirque Restaurant in New Delhi’s Leela Palace Hotel, where he managed 20 chefs and 16 wait staff.
“Taylor and Martinelli bring rich and diversified experience to the table at Soori Bali,” said Soori Bali’s designer, owner and operator, renowned architect Soo K. Chan. “Soori Bali is a place where guests do more than just relax and escape; they come to be re-energised physically, mentally and spiritually and both Taylor and Martinelli will play integral roles in delivering on this unrivalled guest experience.”
Taylor has already expanded the spa’s offerings, introducing treatments ranging from Japanese acupuncture and facial rejuvenation acupuncture to structural realignment and Chinese osteopathic therapy and Chinese cupping. Chinese herbal medicine consultations, Qi Gong, an ancient form of health exercise, and tea meditation are also on offer.
Chef Martinelli oversees the resort’s semi-covered, open air restaurant Cotta, signature restaurant Ombak, the new Reading Room and 24-hour in-villa dining. He also caters special events such as weddings.
In one of his first moves at Soori, Martinelli has created a special menu as a complement to an even that features Balinese dancers moving to the strains of live gamelan players. The accompanying meal serves up farmyard chicken, Muscovy duck, quail, freshly caught fish and organic vegetables, slow cooked with authentic Balinese spices on a traditional pit using black volcanic sand from Soori Bali’s beach.
Late last year, Soori Bali also welcomed Brice Borin, Marc Ravegnini and Fadzlon Bakar as general manager, hotel manager and director of sales respectively.
Soori Bali was recently relaunched with refreshed villas and residences and new spa and wellness programming. A new Indonesian specialty restaurant and wedding platform set above the Indian Ocean will also be introduced to mark the relaunch.
ABOUT SOORI BALI
Set on the edge of the ocean between the Batukaru Mountain and terraced rice fields in Bali’s southwest Tabanan Regency, Soori Bali is a hidden refuge, rejuvenating and peaceful; it is Bali as it should be. Designed, owned and operated by renowned architect Soo K. Chan, the resort prioritises environmental and cultural sustainability. Crafted out of local materials, Soori Bali maintains a true sense of place. Soori Bali is proud to be certified EarthCheck Gold. For more on the story of Soori: www.sooribali.com
