InterContinental Hong Kong's restaurants receive a total of three Michelin stars

The 2018 Michelin Guide to Hong Kong and Macau has honoured two of the InterContinental Hong Kong's restaurants with a total of three Michelin stars – two stars for its Yan Toh Heen Cantonese restaurant and one star for the recently-opened Rech by Alain Ducasse, which debuted in March 2017. Rech by Alain Ducasse is  the hotel's newest restaurant and the first international outpost of Paris' most famous seafood restaurant.

InterContinental Hong Kong's GM Claus Pedersen said, “To receive these stars is an honour and great recognition of the hard work by all of our team members. The Michelin stars further enhance InterContinental Hong Kong's position as a destination for truly memorable dining experiences.

“Our goal is to have great restaurants that our guests love. We are committed to consistently delivering top quality cuisine and service.”

Source: InterContinental Hong Kong. Steamed garoupa, prawns and scallops dumpling.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Yan Toh Heen has received two Michelin stars. The restaurant has served fine Cantonese cuisine for 33 years.

Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai, who has been with the restaurant since it opened in 1984, and his team use only the finest and freshest seasonal produce, refined Chinese cooking methods and a creative modern presentation.

The restaurant features an extensive ala carte menu, plus set lunch and dinner menus and special menus showcasing seasonal Cantonese specialties. At lunchtime, guests can enjoy both traditional and innovative dim sum.

Yan Toh Heen's Tea Sommelier Kelvin Ng has curated an exclusive Chinese tea menu and offers tea-pairing options as part of the Yan Toh Heen dining experience.

Source: InterContinental Hong Kong. Roasted figs, cottage cheese sorbet (vegetarian).

One of the most famous seafood restaurants in Paris, Rech, founded in 1925 and reborn by Alain Ducasse in 2007, made its international debut about nine months ago at InterContinental Hong Kong in the space that was formerly SPOON by Alain Ducasse. An authentically French seafood experience, it showcases the freshest oysters and fish from France with Chef Alain Ducasse's personal interpretation and contemporary cuisine in a modern and relaxed seaside-inspired ambiance with the InterContinental Hong Kong's panoramic harbour views.

Executive Chef Stéphane Gortina, who has worked with Alain Ducasse for over 12 years at a diverse selection of his global restaurants, has led the kitchen since the restaurant opened. He was previously Executive Chef at SPOON by Alain Ducasse.

Marie Deroudilhe, who revamped the Parisian restaurant in 2012, designed the Hong Kong outpost with key design elements that are reminiscent of the sea - the inside of a seashell, a piece of floating  wood, drifting clouds, plus the shimmering sunlight on the surface of the water and waves.

InterContinental Hong Kong's restaurants also include NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong, THE STEAK HOUSE winebar + grill and the Harbourside.

Details:

InterContinental Hong Kong is at 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Rech by Alain Ducasse is open Tuesday – Sunday for dinner and on Sunday for lunch. Yan Toh Heen is open for both lunch and dinner.

For reservations, call +852 2313 2323.

La Yeon, The Shilla Seoul's Korean fine-dining restaurant, gets three Michelin stars

Source: The Shilla Seoul. Nine delicacies at La Yeon.

At the inaugural Michelin Guide Seoul 2017 launch at The Shilla Seoul’s Dynasty Hall, the hotel's traditional Korean fine-dining restaurant La Yeon was awarded the prestigious Michelin three-star rating. Acclaimed for its authentic flavours, service, ambiance, and drink pairings, La Yeon is the only restaurant that is part of a hospitality brand in Seoul to receive three Michelin stars.

Every detail at La Yeon reflects an understanding and appreciation of Korean culture. Since opening in August 2013, La Yeon has offered reinterpretations of classic recipes using modern culinary techniques, complemented by tableware from Korean artists La Ki-Hwan and Lee Ki-Jo. The restaurant distinguishes itself with unique presentations of recipes dating back to ancient Korea.

La Yeon’s recognition in the Michelin Guide is a testament to The Shilla’s long-standing commitment to quality and exemplary service. To explore new heights, the restaurant regularly visits restaurants in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and New York for research and development. La Yeon’s dedicated team of buyers, recipe developers, and food connoisseurs source authentic, seasonal ingredients and only 100% Korean-made premium products. Every year, the team personally visits over 100 local suppliers to ensure quality standards are met.

Ingredients used at La Yeon include grouper, codfish, bamboo shoots, pine nuts, edible wild plants, and Hanwoo (한우, beef from a particular type of Korean cattle). The restaurant also offers a wide selection of drinks which are carefully selected to complement the dining experience.

“Since opening three years ago, we have continuously strived to recreate the best of Korean cuisine,” says Executive Chef Kim Sung Il. “The recognition is a result of our combined teamwork and motivates us to further our vision of sharing the beauty of Korean culture to guests from around the world.”

The Michelin Guide Seoul 2017 is the fifth guidebook to be launched in Asia following Japan, Hong Kong & Macau, Singapore, and Shanghai.

Mandarin Oriental Group lists Michelin stars in Asia

The Mandarin Oriental Group has announced it has 10 restaurants worldwide honoured in the 2016 Michelin Guides, bringing the current total number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the Group’s portfolio to 11 with a total of 16 Michelin stars. In Asia Pacific:

Michelin Guide 2016
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Pierre – 2 stars
Mandarin Grill + Bar – 1 star
Man Wah – 1 star

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Amber – 2 stars

Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Signature – 1 star
Sense – 1 star
Tapas Molecular Bar – 1 star

HP launches special edition notebook with Star Wars theme

HP has unveiled a special edition notebook in anticipation of the release of Star Wars: “The Force Awakens”.

“HP is delivering an amazing Star Wars experience as the only PC vendor collaborating with Disney and Lucasfilm to create a one-of-one-kind notebook,” said Serena Yong, Managing Director, HP Singapore. “As part of this relationship, we were able to tap into Lucasfilm’s media archives to create custom screen savers, desktop backgrounds and sound profiles – configurable by the customer.”

Source: HP.

The Star Wars Special Edition notebook has a “battle-worn” distressed design with Galactic Empire written in the Star Wars Aurebesh font on the hinge and iconic Stormtroopers on the keyboard deck. The touchpad design mirrors the X-Wing Star Fighter Guidance System and the red backlit keyboard completes the dark-side design.

For portability and power, the Star Wars Special Edition notebook gets up to seven hours of battery life¹ and is offered with Full HD² in a 15.6" diagonal display. Users have the choice of sixth generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors³.

Source: HP.

The notebook comes with up to 1 TB of HDD capacity⁴ and up to 8GB of RAM⁵ with the option to select between Intel HD Graphics 520 and NVIDIA GeForce 940M graphics processors. The notebook is also offered with an optical drive for customers to enjoy all their Star Wars movies. With audio tuned by B&O Play and dual speakers, customers will have remarkable sound experiences. Customers can enhance their Star Wars Special Edition with a Star Wars Special Edition Sleeve, and an optional Star Wars Special Edition Wireless Mouse⁶.

Source: HP. The Star Wars Special Edition Sleeve.

The Star Wars Special Edition notebook further adds themed software, content and audio on the Windows 10* PC. Users can click on the Imperial Cog desktop icon to be taken to the Star Wars Command Center for browsing the Star Wars Special Edition notebook’s Themes and Galleries. Users will have access to unique content collections with over 1,100 images spanning 40 years of Star Wars history. Content includes behind-the-scenes images, storyboards, artwork, classic photos, set and costume designs, and audio selections.

Themes offer customisability with sound, wallpaper and screensaver collections. This gives customers the option to replace the standard Windows notification sounds with eight categories of iconic Star Wars sounds including R2-D2's unique beeps and the whirr of the lightsaber. Wallpapers include planetary collections based on movie stills.

Galleries host several categories for customers to explore Star Wars content. Customers can view original movie posters in Collections or explore the Concept Art section to view Lucasfilm art that guided movie development including early ideas on characters, costumes and settings. Illustrated Art celebrates Star Wars with artwork from black and whites to comic book art. The Star Wars Special Edition notebook also includes access to the first Marvel Star Wars comic in the series, e-book excerpts from select Star Wars titles and Star Wars movie trailers. 

Hardcore fans will appreciate the included Aurebesh font in the font library, which allows users to type in Galactic Base Standard language. Another nod to Star Wars includes replacing the Recycle Bin with a Death Star icon – not destroyed when empty and destroyed when full.

Interested?

Source: HP. The Star Wars
Special Edition Wireless
Mouse.

The Star Wars Special Edition notebook, which comes with the Star Wars Special Edition Sleeve, is expected to be available from November 2015 in Singapore, starting at S$1,299⁷. The Star Wars Special Edition Wireless Mouse will be available at the end of November, with pricing to be set closer to the availability date.

*Not all features are available in all editions or versions of Windows. Systems may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware, drivers, software or BIOS update to take full advantage of Windows functionality. Windows 10 is automatically updated, which is always enabled. ISP fees may apply and additional requirements may apply over time for updates. See http://www.microsoft.com.

1 Windows 10/ MM14 battery life will vary depending on various factors including product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, use, wireless functionality, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will naturally decrease with time and usage. See www.bapco.com for additional details.

2 Full high-definition (FHD) content required to view FHD images.

3 Multi-Core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. A 64-bit computing system is required. Performance and clock frequency will vary depending on application workload and your hardware and software configurations. Intel’s numbering is not a measurement of higher performance.

4 For hard drives, TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual formatted capacity is less. Up to 35GB of hard drive is reserved for system recovery software.

5 Part of the total system memory (RAM) is used for graphics/video performance. System memory dedicated to graphics/video performance is not available for other use by other software.

6 Accessories sold separately in select countries only, check with your local HP reseller for availability.

7 Estimated prices. Actual prices may vary.

posted from Bloggeroid

KLM World Business Class flights out of Amsterdam to feature meals by three-star chef Jacob Jan Boerma

Source: KLM. Boerma.

From 25 October 2015, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines begins serving meals by Jacob Jan Boerma, a Dutch three-star chef, in World Business Class on flights out of Amsterdam*. Boerma is the first chef to enrich the KLM kitchen for a whole year.

"KLM is once again proud to work with a chef from a Michelin three-star restaurant. This time it is Jacob Jan Boerma of restaurant De Leest in Vaassen who will be providing delicious meals with entirely their own signature. KLM’s World Business Class passengers have always appreciated the meals designed by our top chefs and I fully expect Jacob Jan’s menus to delight our customers," said Miriam Kartman, KLM Executive Vice President Inflight Services.

"It is a fantastic challenge to work with KLM, one of the greatest airlines in the world! I am very much looking forward to welcoming you to personally experience the menus at high altitude. The meals have been carefully compiled with KLM. I hope I can treat you to a culinary surprise!" said Boerma.

KLM has been serving meals by leading Dutch chefs in World Business Class for many years. By working with top chefs, KLM continues its promotion of the culinary world on board. The tableware is designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, which perfectly matches KLM’s “International Dutch” product vision. Past meals were designed by Cees Helder, Margot Janse, Sergio Herman, Richard Ekkebus, Mario Ridder, Richard van Oostenbrugge and Jonnie Boer.

Source: KLM. Boerma has created four different menus for KLM.

Boerma and Kim Veldman opened restaurant De Leest in 2002. The restaurant received its first Michelin Star in 2003, its second in 2007 and, in 2014, the ultimate achievement, its third Michelin Star. The cuisine is French with cosmopolitan influences. Fresh elements are prominent and the restaurant stands out for its use of local, often organic produce. Jacob Jan will open his own restaurant at Amsterdam’s newly renovated Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky in 2016.

*KLM flights between Asia and the Middle East transit in Amsterdam.

InterContinental Dubai Marina opens advance bookings for Marina Social

Source: InterContinental
Dubai Marina. Atherton.

The InterContinental Dubai Marina has shared the official opening date and advance bookings for Marina Social and The Social Room, UK Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton’s debut restaurant in the region. Bookings are now accepted for the restaurant and bar opening in the heart of Dubai Marina, which opens on 4 September.

Marina Social will bring Jason Atherton’s deformalised fine dining to the recently opened InterContinental Dubai Marina. Atherton’s growing portfolio of 'Social’ restaurants include locations in London, Hong Kong, New York and now the first in the Middle East.

“Simply put, I love Dubai,” said Atherton. “I first worked in Dubai more than 10 years ago and the city holds a lot of special memories for me, especially because it’s where I met my wife Irha – so it was always an ambition to return and open up my own restaurant.

“Dubai has such a vibrant lifestyle scene as well as fantastic food, and I want Marina Social to be a destination for both, whether you’re having dinner in the restaurant or sundowners on the terrace. I’m hoping Marina Social will become one of the best restaurants in Dubai.”

Marina Social will offer British-Mediterranean styled dishes that use the finest ingredients with the creative flair and culinary expertise that Atherton’s restaurants are known for. Leading the team is chef patron Tristin Farmer and general manager David Vindis, both of whom have been with the ‘Social’ family in London.

“Marina Social and The Social Room are as vibrant and cosmopolitan as the Dubai Marina,” said Michael Martin, General Manager at InterContinental Dubai Marina. “At InterContinental Dubai Marina we are very proud and excited to house such an exquisite dining concept, promising an atmosphere that will blend perfectly with the hotel’s contemporary vibe and Marina neighborhood,” he concluded.

Marina Social will open daily for dinner with indoor and al fresco terrace seating. 

Interested?

Advance bookings for dinner at Marina Social can be made from 2 August 2015 by calling +971 (0) 4446 6664. The first tables are available from 6pm to 11.30pm from Friday 4 September 2015.

Michelin star chef Nicolas Isnard to cook at Singapore's Sofitel So Singapore

Source: Accor Hotels. Chef Isnard.

Xperience, the signature restaurant and bar at Sofitel So Singapore, welcomes French Michelin star chef Nicolas Isnard to deliver fresh and sumptuous flavours from France to Singapore. From 4 to 8 November 2014, Chef Isnard will act as Guest Chef, bringing his Mediterranean and Italian influences and serving up rustic flavours in the classic French style.

Partnering with Chef Anne-Cecile Degenne, Executive Chef of Xperience, Chef Isnard will offer a daily set four-course lunch at S$45++, daily set five-course dinner menu at S$88++ and a Saturday 6-course Gala dinner at S$148++ or S$188++ with wine pairing. An à la carte dinner menu will also be available.

Originally from the South of France, Chef Isnard acquired a taste for cooking from his Italian grandmother. Famous for mixing traditional cooking with innovation, he currently co-owns the L’Auberge de la Charme restaurant in France, which earned a Michelin star within a year of its opening in 2008. The restaurant also boasts four Gault & Millau toques.

“As the culinary capital of Asia, Singapore is the place for gastronomic adventures and new experiences. Sofitel So Singapore strives to offer our guests an exclusive interactive culinary journey of the senses. With Chef Isnard and Chef Degenne together, we are confident that they will bring an extraordinary culinary experience for Singapore’s gastronomes,” said Vincent Lelay, General Manager of Sofitel So Singapore.

Chef Isnard’s specialties include filet de boeuf, farmed chicken egg and onion soup “Contemporary Style”.

“I am excited to be collaborating with such an inspiring chef to continuously push new boundaries for Singapore’s culinary scene. Chef Isnard’s creativity and innovation will certainly elevate our guests’experience to a whole new level,” added Chef Degenne.

Guest Chef Isnard is the grand finale of Sofitel So Singapore’s Guest Chef Series. Earlier this year, Chef Degenne was joined by other internationally acclaimed Michelin star guest chefs, including Chef Yuichi Kamimura and three-Michelin star Chef Quique Dacosta.

For reservations, please call the hotel at +65 6701 6800.

Emirates' amazing video of football mega stars makes marketing gold

Emirates, the airline, has created a global campaign leveraging football on the back of the World Cup in Brazil this June. "Watch the moment when two football legends meet in the Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge," invites an eDM sent to its customers.

The campaign features a video of football stars Pelé and Cristiano Ronaldo, Emirates' new Global Ambassadors within an Emirates A380 plane, and asks email recipients to share and comment on social media with the #AllTimeGreats hashtag.

Businesses thinking of working with celebrities could borrow from the Emirates campaign. The campaign recipe is one which is likely to go viral. Emirates has managed to have two mega sports celebrities on its turf, playing out a story that weaves past and present realities, potential and luxury, opportunities found and lost, all at the same time. It'll be interesting to see what the #AllTimeGreats discussion is like.