Dusit Thani Manila

Founded on a vision to create a unique experience for all its guests by drawing on the Thai culture for inspiration and giving it a contemporary expression, the all-new Dusit Thani Manila introduces another delectable occasion with its latest and most-exciting food festival event thus far – the Songkran Food Festival at Benjarong, the Royal Thai Restaurant for buffet lunch and dinner from April 13 to 18, 2009 for only Php1150+ per person.

 

Extending Thailand’s rich heritage in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy, Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Dusit Thani Manila’s Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant celebrates Songkran, a traditional festivity marking the beginning of the solar New Year. The tradition is typically a Thai blend of solemn ritual and riotous festival. Now widely celebrated with a splash of water in every corner of Thailand, the tradition originated as a way of paying respect to the older generation with gentle pouring of fragrant water over the hands or the shoulder, as a gesture to wash away bad luck.

Ushering in good luck this Thai New Year, the Benjarong Royal Thai Restaurant treats its guests to a grand presentation of Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. From a showcase of authentic mouthwatering Thai dishes by the combination of two Thai chefs with distinct cooking flair in the kitchen, the solemn ritual of pouring fragrant water over the hands of all its dining guests to steer in good fortune, a Thai Bazaar at the Mezzanine floor, daily live performances of the Nattaya-Silp Thai Dance Troupe, Thai string percussive instrument playing of the Kim Musician, Thai Umbrella Artists and the celebrated Thai Fruit and Vegetable Carver to the must-try Thai frozen dessert “I Thim”.

Starring in this culinary show is Dusit Thani Manila’s one and only lady chef in the house, Thai Chef Khun Phacharaporn Noinak who is primarily the secret ingredient to Benjarong’s undisputable gastronomic success; with her guest leading man, Khun Chalong Sakkapalangkul who was flown all the way from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Chef Chalong is currently the Executive Chef of Dusit International’s stylish and most contemporary property brand, dusitD2 chiang mai. He is also known as the jet-setter Chef who has not only mesmerized Thailand, its tourists and his countrymen with his sophisticated style of Thai cooking but has also captured the hearts of discerning gourmands with his expertise behind countless kitchen doors coast to coast like Egypt, Turkey, Dubai, Jordan, Switzerland, United States of America and Singapore.

Authentic Thai best-sellers include Tom Yam Gung (Hot and Sour Prawn Soup), Phad Thai Gung (Stir-fried noodle with prawn, bean curd and bean sprout), Yam Sam O (Pomelo Salad), Gung Tord Sauce Siam (Deep Fried Prawns with Thai Chili Sauce), Gaeng Khieo Wan Gung (Green Prawn Curry) and Khao Niao Mamuang (Sticky Rice with Ripe Mango), among others.

What better way to end a hot Thai feast than with the rich sweet coldness of flavoured frozen ices whipped up ala minute! Free for every dining guests’ indulgence and available in the buffet spread along with other Thai offerings, this traditional Thai ice cream or I Thim is being sold by mobile vendors and in Thailand's traditional markets that provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. Made in an extraordinary contraption fabricated from stainless steel, these iced lollies are made through tubes put into a rack that is fitted into a large container filled with ice and salt. The rack is shaken back and forth to promote freezing where a bamboo stick is inserted so that tubes of frozen ice can be enjoyed without ending up with sweet sticky hands.

Get to know Thailand more with the daily live performances of the Nattaya-Silp Dance Troupe flown all the way from Thailand courtesy of Thai Airways. This Thai dance is an excellent window to the soul of Thailand where guests will be mesmerized with traditional music and costumes showcasing the traditional stories and myths of this country’s very rich culture.

 

Scheduled performances include Fon Phu Thai, a dance about a propitiatory ceremony performed by the Phu Thai tribe. Accompanied by typical instruments like the gong Ching (a tribal drum), along with other drums and pipes, that plays a fundamental part as it sets the rhythm for the dance. The Blessing Dance is in itself a courting and a well-wishing dance that uses elements representing happiness and prosperity.  

Then there is the Manohra Dance which is an elaborate dance-drama consisting of six scenes telling a story of fabled love between Manohra, a mythical being, half bird and half human, and Prince Suthon, heir to the throne of the kingdom of Pancala. The Drum Dance is called the Thoed Teung and the sound of this name imitates the sound of a drum used for processions associated with Thai New Year festivities and the ordinations of young monks into the Buddhist monastery.

Also fascinating this dining event is the live demonstrations of one of the most precious aspects of Thai heritage, the intricate art of fruit and vegetable carving. This Thai fruit and vegetable carving takes center stage as it enchants a table filled with authentic Thai cooking and transforms ordinary fruits and vegetables into exotic flowers, intriguing containers, and entertaining table arrangements.

 

Showcasing this multifaceted sculpture is Khun Laong Hertz, a celebrated Fruit and Vegetable Carver, who does not only provide captivating visual effects in her masterpieces, but also provides an inner peace and contentment that can only come with working with one's hands at an ancient art form.

 

Internationally renowned, Khun Laong currently gives classes at the Heny Sison Cooking School and is actively affiliated with the Siam Carving Institute which was established by award-winning grandmasters of this inimitable culinary art.

Other authentic Thai finds include Thai Umbrella Artists and a Thai bazaar reminiscent of the Thai night market featuring Thai handicrafts, delicacies, herb and spices for sale at the Mezzanine floor.

 

The Songkran Food Festival is in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy, Thai Airways and Tourism Authority of Thailand, in cooperation with dusitD2 chiang mai, Devarana Spa, Siam Carving Institute, Thai Deli, Muang Thai Handicrafts and CM Oriental General Trading, Inc.