THREE STARS. ONE CHANCE. AZIAMENDI88. FIRST EVER 3-MICHELIN STAR CHEF POP-UP RESTAURANT IN MALAYSIA
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is delighted to welcome the acclaimed Three Michelin Star Chef Eneko Atxa from Spain for Malaysia’s first and exclusive pop-up restaurant ‘Aziamendi 88’, to showcase his creative cuisine in the city of Kuala Lumpur from 22 July to 31 October 2015.
Spain’s youngest chef to obtain the prestigious three-Michelin stars, Chef Eneko Atxa from Azurmendi Restaurant in Bilbao, Spain and Aziamendi Restaurant in Phang Nga, Thailand will be treating guests to a specially designed, yet rare and authentic gastronomic journey through Northern Spain highlighting his celebrated signature dishes.
Atxa has always been known among fellow chefs for his extraordinary creativity and skill in implementing his imaginative visions with precision and quirky charm. Born in 1977 and raised in Basque Country of Spain, Atxa hails from a family that has always placed value in good food and eating.
At 15, he embarked on his career as a chef at the Catering College of Leoia in the province of Biscay. After graduation, he honed his skills in fine dining and began his journey into haute cuisine as a cook under Chef Martín Berasategui at his eponymous restaurant in Lasarte.
In 2005, Atxa’s path led him to open his own restaurant, Azurmendi. Since then, Atxa has been honoured as the World’s 20th Chef by San Pellegrino whereas Azurmendi received the ‘Sustainable Restaurant Award’ on the esteemed “World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014 Guide” list and seventh position in Elite Traveler’s 2014 “100 Best Restaurants in the World”.
In 2007, the Michelin Guide awarded Atxa’s first restaurant, Azurmendi with a star, citing his unique and natural cuisine. The second star followed in 2010 and the third in 2012, all within five years.
This latest achievement established Azurmendi as the first and only restaurant in the region around the Bay of Biscay to achieve that high mark of recognition.
In 2013, Atxa opened Aziamendi at the ultra luxurious Iniala Beach House near Phuket, a restaurant renowned for its blend of Spanish flavours with Thai twists.
Reflective in the name itself, Aziamendi 88 will be in residency at the renowned Mandarin Grill restaurant for a total of 88 days. Aziamendi will bring a team of highly trained chefs including Atxa’s protégé Chef Alex Burger, expert sommeliers and service personnel to lead the innovative pop-up restaurant.
As Chef de Cuisine of Aziamendi, Burger oversees the execution of the menu and ensures the highest of quality in each and every dish his team serves. Born in San Francisco, Burger’s previous experiences included his tenure at the flagship restaurant of culinary great Daniel Boulud in New York City.
Four years later, Burger met Atxa in the Basque Country, who then had two Michelin stars and a reputation of being young and extremely innovative. Burger took a temporary position with Atxa in Spain which was the start of a successful partnership. Burger constantly evolves the menu and creative concepts of Aziamendi.
During Thailand’s rainy season, Burger would travel to Atxa’s restaurant in Bilbao each year to collaborate on the menu planning and research. Burger has an extensive understanding in French, Spanish and Basque culinary philosophy. At Aziamendi, Burger incorporates subtle Asian accents into the menu while staying true to the Basque philosophy of Eneko Atxa.
Available for lunch and dinner, except Sundays, lunch menus are priced at RM 198 per person (5-courses) and RM 438 per person (8-courses), whereas dinner menus are priced at RM 438 per person (8-courses) and RM 598 per person (12-courses).
Wine-pairing menus which are specially paired by Aziamendi and Iniala Beach House’s Head Sommelier Fabien Etienne who recently won ‘Thailand’s Wine List of the Year 2014’, are also available.
Wine-pairing menus are priced at RM 298 per person (5-courses) and RM 698 per person (8-courses) for lunch, whereas wine-pairing dinner menus are priced at RM 698 per person (8-courses) and RM 998 per person (12-courses).
Specially created cocktails and mocktails by Etienne as well as a lighter menu will also be made available at the bar.
Holding true to the roots and concept of Iniala Beach House, guests can experience Basque- rooted international haute cuisine combined with the elements of charity and art.
Complementing the ultimate Aziamendi dining experience will be a contemporary art showcase curated by Lim Wei Ling, Founder of the Wei-Ling Gallery; Malaysia’s largest and most prominent platform for contemporary art by local artists. The art pieces displayed at Aziamendi 88 will be available for purchase by diners.
Five percent of the total revenue generated from the ‘Aziamendi 88’ will be contributed to local charity, United Voice Malaysia and Inspirasia Foundation in Bali, as part of Mandarin Oriental and Aziamendi 88’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
A self-advocacy group for persons with learning disabilities, United Voice Malaysia started in 1995 with a vision to form a national body for persons with learning disabilities in Malaysia. Its members include those with Down Syndrome, Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Global Developmental Delay and Cerebral Palsy to name a few.
Inspirasia Foundation, on the other hand, was founded in 2002 by Mark Weingard, who is also the Chairman and Founder of Aziamendi and its host residence, Iniala Beach House.
The Foundation invests in and partners with small non-profit societies that have strong leadership and a commitment to create a positive impact on those who are the most disadvantaged in society. Currently, Inspirasia Foundation benefits societies across Indonesia, India and Thailand.
“As our culinary mission to be the market leader for innovative food and beverage initiatives, we are delighted to welcome Chef Eneko Atxa and the inventive team of Aziamendi 88 into the kitchens of Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur for 88 days.
"This is the first 3-Michelin Star Chef pop-up restaurant in the city and in the country,” says Michael Groll, Director of Food and Beverage at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur.
Weingard comments, “We are excited to bring the Iniala and Aziamendi philosophy to Mandarin Oriental. What makes this partnership work so well is our mutual love for art, design and gastronomy and most importantly – giving back to those in need. Inspirasia Foundation benefits from 10 percent of all Iniala’s revenue as well as five percent from
Aziamendi restaurant.
"It is imperative to us that we work with likeminded organizations that are also willing to make a contribution to Corporate Social Responsibility.”
For reservations +60(3) 2380 8888 or email AZ88@mohg.com. www.aziamendi88.com.
About Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur Situated adjacent to the iconic PETRONAS Twin Towers, Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is the city’s leading luxury hotel with 643 well appointed rooms, suites and serviced apartments.
Delight your senses with an array of cuisines showcased in ten innovative outlets. Escape Kuala Lumpur’s urban bustle at The Spa with rejuvenating facials, body treatments and award winning Signature Therapies for a holistic wellbeing.
Take a dip at the infinity edge pool overlooking the spectacular city skyline or be mesmerized by the magnificent display of KLCC Lake Symphony Fountain at the Esplanade KLCC. For more information and reservations, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/kualalumpur.
About Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences.
The Group has grown from a well-respected Asian hotel company into a global brand and now operates, or has under development, 45 hotels representing over 11,000 rooms in 27 countries, with 19 hotels in Asia, 12 in The Americas and 14 in Europe, Middle East and North Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment