To enhance the whimsical side in all of us comes an enchanted afternoon tea at Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.
Hotel executive pastry chef Franck Istel collaborates with Thai artist, Somnuek Klangnok aka Kru Parn, to create a Thai pop art fairy tale afternoon tea, under the theme of “Krungthep Is The City Of Angels”, which is being served in 1897 lobby lounge till August 31.
The afternoon tea blends savouries and sweets with contemporary Thai pop art. Kru Parn’s imaginary heavenly realm of Bangkok, also known as the “City Of Angels” was inspired by the grace and elegance of Thai angels, birds and floral artistry characters. “I chose the City Of Angels as the theme because of the meaning of ‘krung’ and ‘thep’, which literally means ‘city’ and ‘angels’. It was hard for me to think of a concept, but I was inspired during my visit to Wat Ratchabophit, which has murals. I loved the colours and the art of murals there and thats when the blub, so to speak, went off in my head.
“I want people to see the culture of our city and especially at Siam Kempinksi, which is in the centre of Bangkok. When guests come here, the afternoon tea will showcase Thai culture in Western culture. A Thai-inspired tea with high tea,” says Kru Park. If one has observed Kru Parn’s art, angels are a recurring theme, though his muse is his wife and he usually paints his interpretation of her. “For this afternoon tea, I have focused on the colours and where usually my angel has big eyes, here I have depicted the angels with closed eyes. The colours I’ve used are Bangkok colours, with bright green and other cheerful colours, and the Bangkok emblem.”
Kru Parn also integrates historical touches of Thai by incorporating unique sculptural florals patterns, which can be found at Wat Ratchabophit, the royal temple of King Rama V and King Rama VII.
Chef Istel expertly blends of traditional Thai flavours with French pastry techniques for the tea. “I had to bring Thai and Kempinski touches to the afternoon tea. As a European, I translated the word angel in a different way and thought of a fairy tale where angels live in trees. And this is why there is a tree with the afternoon tea. I focused more on Thai flavours in the savouries and Western with the sweet elements. I still incorporated Thai desserts in the form of a small serving of traditional sweets,” says chef Istel,
The “City Of Angels” Afternoon Tea features 22 unique miniature sweet and savoury items that come in all fun shapes, shades and colours. The savoury selection features famous Thai ingredients and familiar tastes, with highlights such as the Alaskan king crab and pomelo yum tartlet with the tangy sweetness of pomelo in the Thai sweet and sour flavour presented in a krathong tong with Avruga caviar and edible flower garnish. The Duck curry longan has duck breast and red curry mousse in a longan and presented in a Krao tang crispy rice cracker with lime caviar.
The light and airy Pineapple vanilla Paris brest boasts a sweet pineapple filling, while the Lychee raspberry rose chocolate cream and fresh raspberry offers a burst of floral flavours. Complete the experience with three-flavoured scones. Tea master Nipaporn “Ging" Hanwichai has selected a variety of Ronnefeldt teas that pair with this tea and harpist, Juan “Tong” Wang, elevates the experience with live harp music.
The City Of Angels Afternoon Tea is served daily until Aug 31 from 2-5pm at the 1897 lobby lounge, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok. It is priced at B1,390++ per set and comes with a City Of Angels limited edition scarf curated by Kru Parn as a gift. Call 02-162-9000, email dining.siambangkok@kempinski.com or Line: @Siamkempinskihotel.
