Attention all spice enthusiasts! Make room in your schedules for late May, as Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok will be hosting the nation’s first-ever “Chilli Fest.” Set in Kimpton’s verdant Urban Oasis, this event caters to those who crave bold flavours.
Visitors to Chilli Fest can savour street food favourites from heat-loving countries such as Mexico, China, Chile, Indonesia, India, and naturally, Thailand. These dishes are crafted by skilled chefs from some of Asia’s finest culinary institutions.
“Ton” Thitid Tassanakajohn, from Baan and Le Du – both boasting one Michelin star – will serve the Thai classics that have made his restaurants renowned, particularly their signature khao soi gai and khao ka pao nua.
Saneh Jaan, another Thai Michelin-starred eatery famous for its fresh seasonal produce and award-winning menu led by Chef “Toi” Pilaipon Kamnag, will offer their famous gung pad prik ki nu suan, and one of the spiciest khao mun som tums you’ll ever encounter.
Chef “Golf” Phukvarun Watchmon from Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, Vignette Collection, will also present a Thai staple: stir-fried cowslip flowers with glass noodles and grilled pork neck.
Chef “Tap” Supasit Kokpol, a contestant on Chef Thailand Season 9 and the creative force behind the fusion Thai-Chinese Restaurant Coda Bangkok, will treat guests to succulent hiramasa fish balls, charcoal-grilled cuttlefish, and mango burnt chili shaved ice.
Hong Bao, a beloved Cantonese restaurant chain in Thailand, will showcase China with their steamed shrimp wontons with red chili oil and crispy sze chuan-style chicken stir-fried with dried chili.
Hailing from Indonesia, Chef Rangga Perdana Putra of InterContinental Bandung Dago Pakar has a menu featuring sumptuous lobster balado, sate lilit Bali, and nasi goreng buntut cabai hijau.
For Bangkok’s own Haoma, which has earned a Michelin star for its “neo-Indian” menu, Head Chef Deepanker Khosla has created a tiger prawn madras curry with dried shrimp pulao, banaras ki chaat, and lahori chicken ribs.
Fans of Latin American cuisine are in for a special delight. The dynamic female duo of Chefs Megan Leon and Gaby Espinosa Real will serve up potato flautas with homemade avocado crema and spicy red salsa, alongside a zesty aguachile with shrimp and chorizo.
Two more chefs with Latin American origins, Chef Jaime Rojas from Hotel Indigo Bangkok Wireless Road in partnership with Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok’s Executive Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara, will bring Mexican cuisine classics to the event.
Meanwhile, Chilean Chef Rodrigo Martinez from the InterContinental Saigon will prepare Peruvian fish ceviche, chupe de jaiba, and Chilean salmon tiradito.
To counterbalance the spiciness, enjoy some scrumptious homemade ice cream from “Two to Tipsy” by Roast, featuring a unique chili flavour.
But, food isn’t the sole attraction. Those wishing to take some firepower home can buy a variety of gourmet hot sauces from That Daeng Sauce and Firepower Hot Sauces.
Hopeful home chili cultivators can stroll through the “Hot House” — a distinctive greenhouse designed specifically for growing the diverse chilies utilized in Kimpton’s kitchens.
A fire show and entertainment by top DJs and live bands from the city will occupy center stage throughout the event. For true chili aficionados, local tattoo shop California Ink Bangkok will be on-site to ink tiny chilis onto your skin — free of charge!
Additionally, a chili-eating competition will challenge daring contestants to consume progressively spicier chili peppers, culminating in a pepper measuring an astounding 2,200,000 Scoville heat units.
Assuming the winner can still stand, they will receive a cash prize of THB 10,000. The first and second runner-ups will be awarded dining vouchers valued at THB 7,000 and THB 4,000, respectively.
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok’s Chilli Fest is scheduled for Saturday, May 27. Early bird tickets cost THB 100, come with a complimentary drink, and can be purchased now, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
