From 17 – 22 March 2012, Amari Orchid Pattaya will play host to the 2nd Pattaya Gourmet Festival, featuring international master chefs specially flown in to the popular Thai resort.

Following the success of the inaugural festival in 2011, this year’s event will be a prestigious week-long celebration of great food and wines, held in the hotel’s ever popular Mantra Restaurant and Bar.

Kicking off with a special opening night gala, guests will be treated to various foody offerings and master classes throughout the week, culminating in a Grand Finale dinner with all four guest chefs and Amari Orchid Pattaya’s Executive Chef producing their own special dish.  

The following guest chefs will be taking centre stage at the festival:  

Maria Elia from JOE’s Restaurant, London

The only female master chef at the festival, Maria has worked as Head Chef at some of the UK’s finest restaurants including London's Delfina restaurant and the renowned Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room. Her prestigious training includes time spent at the legendary El Bulli and Arzak restaurants in Spain as well as The Oriental Cooking School in Bangkok. Maria regularly appears on British TV and is an award-winning food writer. Maria is Executive Chef at Joe’s Restaurant in London, where she enjoys playing with people’s palates and creates deceptively simple, multi-layered dishes. 

Steven Snow from Fins Restaurant and Bar, Australia 

Celebrity chef Steven Snow is the owner and chef of Fins, Australia’s most awarded regional restaurant. He is the author of the current best seller Byron Cooking and Eating and feature chef on Australia’s lifestyle television programme Guide to the Good Life. Steven has recently opened his second Fins, ‘Fins Club by Quinta Magnolia’ in a small seaside village near Lisbon, Portugal. Yannick Ollivier Cayrol A connoisseur of French food, Yannick has eight years’ experience in various hospitality industries. His creativity comes from his wide range of cooking experience, which includes Thai, Indian and Spanish.  

Chan Kam Yuen, Hong Kong

Chan Kam Yuen brings to the Festival three decades of culinary experience. A fantastic creative talent, he inspires tastes that are unique in their very own right, and his signature dishes are testament to his unique skill. 

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About Amari (http://www.amari.com/)

Amari is the centrepiece of the ONYX portfolio of hotel brands reflecting modern Asian hospitality, a down to earth vibe and embodying Asian flair. ONYX Hospitality Group operates four diverse yet complementary brands – Saffron, Amari, Shama and OZO - each catering to the distinctive requirements of today’s business and leisure travellers. ONYX reaches beyond its Thai roots to offer innovative management solutions across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions.

ONYX HOSPITALITY GROUP PRESENTS NEW SPA BRANDS
 

Thailand-based hotel management company ONYX Hospitality Group offers two innovative and unique spa brands as part of its strategic growth plans. With each brand catering to very distinct market segments; Breeze Spa is the ‘fun’, mid tier offering whilst Maai Spa will offer exclusive, luxury spa experiences for a discerning, spa-savvy clientele.

Stemming from a comprehensive review of the existing spa offering and with due consideration given to ONYX’s strategic growth plans, a conclusion was reached that two brands were needed.

ONYX’s Corporate Director of Spa, Kirsty MacCormick explained: “We felt that we needed a new and original mid-range brand to replace the existing spa concept in the Amari properties. However, we did not feel that this type of brand offering would suit luxury properties.”

Breeze
Conceptualised from the premise that happiness is a key foundation for wellness, Breeze Spas will appeal to a wide-reaching demographic, encompassing the seasoned spa aficionado to the wellness newcomer. The spa brand presents a simple yet innovative Mood Therapy Treatment concept. Designed to be a complete sensory experience, each treatment is aligned with a carefully chosen traditional body therapy or massage technique as its centerpiece, enhanced by specific aromatherapy oils, herbal teas, musical selections and even colours to provide a package that delivers the mood each guest is looking to bring to their life.

“Breeze is the affordable spa option which will put a spring in your step and a smile on your face,” promises Kirsty. “When you visit Breeze, you will see a different side of spa, and rediscover how fun it is to feel good!”

In addition to a range of customised treatments and products under the Breeze label, the spas will also feature offerings by leading Thai natural skincare brand, Panpuri and the award-winning Italian spa products brand, Comfort Zone.

“The treatments are both smart and fun. We focus on boosting energy and allow you to just enjoy the experience. Breeze communication will be humorous but innocent; a refreshing alternative to the typically subdued spa experience,” Kirsty added.

The first Breeze Spa will open its doors at Amari Hua Hin in June 2012. Plans are also underway to refurbish the existing spas in all Amari properties to fully encapsulate the vibrant Breeze design.

Maai
This is an exciting luxury wellness brand borne from the tradition of  authentic Thai healing combined with modern day science, all encased within the elegance of Thai silk. Offering a combination of private suite based treatments, unique Thai herbal programmes and advanced skincare science, Maai Spas offer results-driven beauty treatments and technology delivered through personalised programmes, amidst a backdrop of contemporary luxury.

"We felt that creating a luxury spa brand around Thai traditions was very important, given that we are a Thai company," said Kirsty. “It is also interesting to note that despite the global popularity of Thai massages, most authentic spa wellness treatments have been based on Chinese medicine and on Ayurvedic healing.”

Maai Spa’s authentic treatments draw from the 2,500-year history of indigenous Thai healing with influences from Indian, Chinese and Tibetan healing practices. The traditional therapies will be combined with modern scientific wellness. 

“Maai will take a very new-era approach to achieving results through beauty treatments and technology,” explained Kirsty. “There will also be a luxury manicure and pedicure bar, along with personalised spa and beauty treatments which emphasise the importance of diet, exercise and relaxation.”

In an interesting parallel, the origin of Thai silk follows a similar path across Asia as the country’s ancient healing techniques. Thus, Maai (which means silk in Thai) blends the attributes and traditions of this sumptuous, handcrafted fabric to create luxurious, elegant spa surroundings.

These two distinctive spa brands will enable ONYX to enhance the facilities within its own portfolio of managed properties whilst also offering management services for these spas to be set up in third party hotels, standalone luxury residential or mixed used developments and even airport lounges.

About ONYX:
ONYX Hospitality Group operates four diverse yet complementary hotel brands – Saffron, Amari, Shama  and OZO - each catering to the distinctive requirements of today’s business and leisure travellers. The Thailand-based hotel management company also manages a portfolio of independently owned or franchised properties throughout Thailand (www.oamhotels.com). ONYX reaches beyond its Thai roots to offer innovative management solutions across the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and Asia-Pacific regions. Visit www.onyx-hospitality.com.

For more information about this release or to request high-resolution photography, please contact:
Korawee Sapmanee -  Manager, Communications

ONYX Hospitality Group                         T  +66 (0) 2255 3767, +66 (0) 2255 4588
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