With the success of Toshio Tanahashi’s first visit to Asia’s award-wining destination spa in 2008, Chiva-Som is once again teaming up with Japan’s most famous ‘Shojin Ryori’ chef to present the creativity of this unique cuisine and impart its relevance to health and wellbeing. You can experience this talented chef’s sensational, vegetarian dishes in a series of events taking place from 6 to 13 March, 2010 at the Chiva-Som Academy in Bangkok and at the Chiva-Som resort in Hua Hin.
Chef Tanahashi explains that “‘Shojin Ryori’ only uses vegetables to purify the body and spirit, but is not like normal vegetarian cuisine because of the process. The ‘shojin’ way of life is about the entire body, not merely to satisfy the appetite. The food should be eaten not only with gratitude to those who prepared the dish and to the farmers who produced the vegetables but, above all, with respect for nature.” Although, some of the processes in Shojin Ryori cuisine are lengthy and strenuous, Tanahashi comprehends it as culinary meditation.
‘Shojin’ prescribes that meals are made by hand, keeping ingredients as close as possible to their natural state, with no chemical additives. Based on the ancient tradition of this cuisine, Tanahashi has added his own flair to the cooking techniques, both in tune with contemporary Tokyo lifestyle and a reflection of seasonality.
Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat, executive chef of Chiva-Som explains, “Tanahashi’
You can experience the tantalising flavours of Shojin Ryori cuisine by joining Chef Tanahashi at the resort in Hua Hin for intimate cooking classes of 7 persons on 9 and 12 March, or for a 5-course Gala Dinner on 11 March.
Ocean View rooms for a 3-night retreat at the resort are USD1,545++ per person based on twin share. This rate includes 3 spa cuisine meals per day, a daily massage, individual health and wellness consultation, participation in daily activities, unlimited use of the water therapy suites and additional treatments depending on the retreat selected. Cooking classes at the resort are THB2,500++ per person for in-house guest and THB3,500++ for outside guest. Gala dinner tickets cost THB2,000++ per person for in-house guest and THB3,000++ for outside guest. We recommend you to book in advance to avoid disappointment!
