FINE FOOD connoisseurs are flocking to the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain to enjoy the annual spectacular Thai Cuisine and Cultural Festival.
The week-long event featuring traditional Thai entertainment and fare will continue until Saturday at the venue.
The hotel has teamed up with The Royal Thai Embassy, the Mövenpick Hotel Phuket and Qatar Airways to present the festival.
General manager Heinz Kraehenbuehl welcomed embassy officials including ambassador Vichai Varasirikul and other VIP guests to the launch ceremony on Saturday evening.
Visiting master chefs from Thailand joined the kitchen team to cook up an authentic treat at the elegant Silk’s restaurant as traditional Thai dancers performed in the gallery lobby.
Other attractions included umbrella painters around the poolside and fruit design artists by the entrance but the spice of the night came from the rich array of Thai cuisine.
Soup starters included the fiery Tom Yum Goong running rich with red chilli peppers and the more sedate, but equally flavoursome, Gang Jeuit, a subtle mushroom offering with minced chicken.
The salads were breath-taking too and Tom, whoever he was, certainly seemed to have made a big impression in Thailand! The Yam Khai Tom Spring Boiled Egg Salad was an eye-watering option alongside Lab Neaue, a spicy minced beef affair.
Main courses included the firm favourites amongst the embassy staff, namely Thai red chicken and beef curries, and the Pla Thod Rad Prog, a deep fried dish in sweet dill sauce alongside Neave Phad Met Ma, a stir fried beef with cashew nut also proved popular.
Readers can find out more about Thai culture and authentic cuisine every evening for BD 15 ++ per person and one lucky diner will win a trip with Qatar Airways to Phuket and six nights stay at the luxurious Mövenpick Hotel Phuket.
They can also discover some secret recipes and learn the art of Thai cooking with the professionals by booking a class for groups of 15, staged from 10am to 1pm for BD 12.500++ per person including lunch.