A Taste of Belmond
Read about what’s new on the culinary front and what’s to come at Belmond’s legendary properties around the world. We begin this culinary journey in Italy, Spain and the U.K and continue to S. Africa and Laos. Our tour finishes in Mexico, Peru and beautiful St. Martin. Here’s a taste.
Italy
SPLENDIDO, A BELMOND HOTEL, PORTOFINO ANNOUNCES SIMONE TOGNETTI AS EXECUTIVE CHEF OF NEWLY REDESIGNED SPLENDIDO GRILL
Next to Splendido’s infamous pool overlooking the magnificent Portofino coastline, you’ll find Splendido Grill where Simone Tognetti has recently been appointed as Executive Chef. Reimagined by internationally renowned Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the new space offers an intimate, family villa dining experience, with traditional design elements such as hand painted tiles inspired by Albissola ceramics. Simone is also overseeing the new vegetable garden created in partnership with La Portofinese ecofarm, providing guests with fresh, seasonal produce. Originally born in Lombardia, Tognetti's arrival at Splendido Grill marks an exciting return to his Italian roots, where he blends local and revisited Italian cuisine. Open through September 30th.
ARMANDO ARISTARCO RETURNS TO CARUSO, AMALFI COAST AS EXECUTIVE CHEF
Chef Armando Aristarco returns to Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast following a 10 year hiatus, rejoining the team as Executive Chef. Aristarco brings his culinary philosophy and innovation to the property’s three legendary restaurants: Ristorante Belvedere, Pool Grill, and Ristorante Caruso. Originally from the seaside town of Torre Del Greco, Armando is delighted to return to his home after a decade honing his skills in the Middle East. He refocuses the menu on regional produce from the Cilento area, creating dishes with no more than three or four ingredients, inspired by the fundamental ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. Open through October 15th.
SPLENDIDO MARE, PORTOFINO ANNOUNCES DAVIDE GALBIATI AS EXECUTIVE CHEF OF DAV MARE RESTAURANT
Splendido Mare, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino announces the appointment of Davide Galbiati as Executive Chef at DaV Mare, the casual fine dining restaurant in the heart of Portofino’s iconic piazzetta, managed exclusively by Belmond and the renowned Da Vittorio Group. Progressing from Head Chef to Executive Chef in just one season , Galbiati takes over the reins of the restaurant, showcasing his extensive international experience. He introduces a new menu continuing the intrinsic link between the DaV philosophy of locally sourced ingredients and traditional Ligurian classics. Galbiati’s new role marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Splendido Mare, where gastronomic excellence meets refined authenticity. Open through January 7th.
Spain
LA RESIDENCIA, MALLORCA, WELCOMES SPANISH CHEF PABLO ARMANDO ARANDA MORENO AT EL OLIVO RESTAURANT
La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca is thrilled to welcome new Spanish Chef Pablo Armando Aranda Moreno at the helm of fine dining restaurant El Olivo, one of the most beautiful settings on the island, located in a 17th century olive mill. Chef Pablo brings Michelin-star know-how and passion for zero-kilometre cuisine to the enchanting hotel, surrounded by the UNESCO protected Serra de Tramuntana Mountains. The chef’s new tasting menu features local ingredients at the heart of every dish, including Mallorcan almond cream “manjar blanc” with watercress, chlorophyll and local truffle; cured beef tenderloin, Mallorcan cabbage stew, crispy kale and egg yolk cured in dry herbs; and the famous Mallorcan red shrimps, with pickled wild mushroom consommé and a Sóller orange emulsion. Open through October 28th.
UNITED KINGDOM
THE RETURN OF MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF LUKE SELBY TO LE MANOIR AUX QUAT’SAISONS, OXFORDSHIRE
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons welcomes back Chef Luke Selby as Executive Head Chef, a restaurant he first worked at more than a decade ago. Raymond Blanc OBE will continue his legacy as Chef Patron and Benoit Blin MCA will remain as Chef Patissier. Following on from the success at his own Michelin ranked restaurant, Evelyn’s Table, Luke returns to work with his mentor to bring modernity to the cuisine. Together, Raymond and Luke redefine Le Manoir’s classic dishes with a fresh outlook. Alongside his brothers Theodore and Nathaniel, Luke creates an inspiring, inclusive training ground for young chefs keen to develop their skills in one of the world’s most prestigious kitchens.
South Africa
MOUNT NELSON, CAPE TOWN EMBARKS ON A COSMOPOLITAN CULINARY REVOLUTION
A revolution is underway at Cape Town’s iconic pink hotel, Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel. Reshaping its culinary identity to be on par with the best in the world, the beloved Nellie welcomes acclaimed chef George Jardine in the role of Executive Chef. Jardine’s Chef’s Table, set in the heart of the working kitchen, is where gastronomes will want to be seated for an immersion into the terroir and talent of Southern Africa. Whilst at newly revamped The Red Room by Chefs Warehouse, leading light Liam Tomlin is bringing a vivacious Pan-Asian offering to the mix. Covertly situated below the hotel, this Pan-Asian restaurant promises to be a one-of-a- kind culinary experience. Meanwhile, supreme pastry chef Vicky Gurovich has returned to Mount Nelson to fly the flag for the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea, where melt-in-the- mouth delicacies and sumptuous cakes are coupled with a selection of 60 premium loose-leaf teas. For Mount Nelson, this is just the beginning of a new culinary journey.
LAOS
LA RESIDENCE PHOU VAO UNVEILS NEW GASTRONOMIC ERA WITH CHEF LARISA VESTERBACKA
La Résidence Phou Vao, A Belmond Hotel, Luang Prabang recently announced the appointment of Larisa Vesterbacka as Executive Chef, leading the launch of Tam Nan, the hotel’s flagship restaurant located in the spectacular mountain region of Laos. Meaning “Legendary” or “Legend” in Laotian language, Tam Nan pays homage to the region’s traditional cooking techniques that honor heritage and authenticity, while bringing to life the culinary vision of Chef Larisa and a ‘Heart to Table’ concept that is rooted in genuine Laotian hospitality.
MEXICO
TUNKI ROOFTOP BY HANDSHAKE, ONE OF ‘THE WORLD'S 50 BEST BARS’ 2022, LAUNCHES AT CASA DE SIERRA NEVADA, SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende has launched Tunki Rooftop, an intimate cocktail lounge featuring innovative cocktails, authentic Peruvian cuisine and incomparable views of one of the world’s most iconic cities. The new rooftop debuts in exclusive collaboration with Handshake, a legendary Mexican speakeasy bar recently recognized as one of “The World’s 50 Best Bars in 2022, bringing elevated and creative mixology to the scene. Named after the official bird of Peru and celebrating the union of Mexican and Peruvian gastronomy, Tunki’s menu draws inspiration from Coast, Jungle and Highland regions, each with distinct personalities and flavors.
Belmond has partnered with Michelin-star chef and world-class restaurateur Curtis Stone at Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Mexico
The newly relaunched Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya and Chef Stone partner to debut Woodend by Curtis Stone, the hotel's signature restaurant. Originally from Australia, Curtis Stone owns three widely acclaimed restaurants, including Michelin-starred restaurant Maude in Beverly Hills, California; Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant in Hollywood, California; and Gwen’s sister restaurant, Georgie, located in Dallas, Texas.
A celebration of the connection between sea and jungle, Woodend by Curtis Stone features seasonal dishes inspired by the farmers and fishermen whose ingredients are the heart and soul of the local fare, prepared using Curtis’ signature open-fire technique. Paying respect to the Yucatán Peninsula, its history, and traditions, dishes include grilled blue shrimp with green mango, apple, daikon and charred almonds; oyster crudo with pineapple mignonette and lemongrass; and Baja Striped Bass with tomato fondue, habanero vinegar and pink peppercorn. The menu also features an extensive range of plant-based dishes, cabbage heart with seeded macha and camembert or Mayan rice with maitake mushrooms, Chaya spinach and wheat berries.
PERU
PIA LEON, WORLD’S BEST FEMALE CHEF 2021, LAUNCHES MAUKA AT PALACIO NAZARENAS, CUSCO
Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco, is delighted to announce the appointment of internationally acclaimed 2021 World’s Best Female Chef, Pía León as Culinary Director of newly launched restaurant, Mauka. Named after an endangered Incan root vegetable, Mauka is an ode to the bounty of Cusquenian cuisine and its diverse produce. At its core is Pía’s vision to preserve Peruvian culture, transcending local gastronomy and curating moments by learning and experiencing its true root and origin, where ingredients, art, and biodiversity meet naturally. With this new project, Pía seeks to get closer to the Cusco region and to utilize the multitude of diverse ingredients that grow in this area of the Peruvian Andes.
ST. MARTIN
MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF MARCEL RAVIN JOINS LA SAMANNA, ST. MARTIN AS CULINARY DIRECTOR OF L’OURSIN RESTAURANT
La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, St. Martin announces the appointment of Michelin-starred Chef Marcel Ravin as Culinary Director at L’Oursin, the legendary resort’s elegant bistro. Ravin elevates the culinary experience to new heights, pairing a skillful fusion of French and creole flavors with locally sourced, market-fresh produce. Originally born in Martinique, Chef Marcel Ravin’s arrival at L’Oursin marks an exciting return to his roots, where he utilizes distinctive Caribbean ingredients from his childhood to create unforgettable cuisine for La Samanna’s guests.
Contributor — Four Hundred by Design