Features

The Dome: The Talk Of Bangkok

1 Mar 2007 by business traveller

Corporate entertaining is part and parcel of being a business person, and when your clients or customers are overseas, or are travelling from abroad to see you, that entertainment can be in some impressive locations. The meetings and incentives market understands this well, creating memorable events to reward and help stimulate a company’s top performers.

The lunches and dinners which took place last month at the Dome at State Tower in Bangkok weren’t just about corporate entertaining though. Couples treated themselves, gourmets booked well in advance and regulars made sure to learn which chef would be cooking on which day in which restaurant, for this was the second Epicurean Masters of the World event, running from February 6 to 10.

It took place in Café Mozu, Breeze, Sirocco and Mezzaluna as well as Distil bar, most at least 50 floors up with sweeping views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river. These venues, which are quickly establishing themselves as the destinations for those who want a special meal out, brought together nine Michelin-starred chefs, eight of whom have three Michelin stars, and challenged them to create distinctive and memorable menus using both the best of Thai ingredients and international specialities.

Meticulously organised, over a year in the planning and the sort of event which, in its culmination, garners headlines around the world (and plenty of envy in the home market), it was a resounding success. It allowed Bangkok to briefly escape talk of the continuing problems at its international airport as well as controversial new business legislation, particularly with regard to patent rights and foreign investment. Instead, conversation was about food and drink: the best, the worst, the most expensive, the differences around the world, the similarities and cultural divides which often can be overcome by simply enjoying the same things.

It was the gala dinner on the final night, a 10-course extravaganza costing an incredible one million baht (US$29,832) which attracted most publicity, but with all profits going to charity, the reaction to this was more about different attitudes to conspicuous consumption. What’s for sure is that anyone lucky enough to have dined at the State Dome during those few days will be eagerly awaiting the next event, currently pencilled in for December 12, 2008 in Egypt.

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