THE PHUKET NEWS
DINING 25
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012
Thailand wine list first of its kind R
egistration for the inaugural Wine List of the Year Thailand awards will officially open on July 1. The competition is the first of its kind in Thailand, and founder Jon Hyams says the aim is to encourage and reward excellence in the development of wine lists, and improve the wine culture across the country. There are six main award categories (Best Restaurant, Best Café/ Brasserie, Best Wine Bar, Best International Hotel Restaurant, Best Resort, and Best Small List), plus four regional award categories (Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai), plus a Consumerawarded Best List title, and the Best National Wine List title. Jon, the owner of Phuket-based wine consultancy business The
Genuine Palate, is running the awards in conjunction with Events Thailand. He hopes the awards will help lift the standard of wine lists across the country. “Anyone can write a wine list, but to write it well is another thing.” John says the challenges to creating a good wine list include matching it with the establishment’s cuisine and image, balancing the prices, and getting regions, varieties and vintages right. Jon says the awards have a different focus than the remote Wine Spectator awards, because there will be a national focus and the award winners will be given a stack of free publicity and marketing exposure both nationally and internationally, including in national publications
and many across Asia. The awards actually promote the industry here in Thailand, Jon says. The best part about the awards, Jon says, is that any business with a wine list can enter ranging from “corner cafes” to wine bars, and international hotels. The awards cost B990 to enter, and registration closes on August 10. A panel of internationally acclaimed wine commentators and experts will deliver their final decisions in September and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner on October 13. For more information and details on how to enter, visit www.winelistoftheyearthailand.com The Phuket News and Live 89.5FM are media sponsors of the Wine List of the Year Thailand.
Jon Hyams, founder of the Wine List of the Year Thailand awards.
SEAFOOD FIESTA
At the Re Ka Ta seafood evening on May 12 are, from far left, Anand Jagota (Owner of Jagota Food Solutions for Professionals), Bill Marinelli (Owner of Marinelli Shellfish), Marie-Laure Fleury (General Manager of Boathouse) and Bryan Burger (Chef at Re Ka Ta). Well-known seafood guru Mr Marinelli and Mr Burger presented a six course meal for guests. Also pictured left is a dish of lobster, cucumber and watercress salad with lime butter.
Jazz and jambalaya
The sweet sounds of New Orleans jazz and the delicious smell of great food emanated from Two Chefs, Kata, as the restaurant held its New Orleans theme night on Friday (May 11). The restau rant was packed as guests sampled traditional dishes such as cornbread, Cajun style crayfish, seafood jambalaya, and Cajun shrimp creole, while the Two Chefs house band played jazz and classics throughout the night. For more information visit twochefs.com
Staff dress up at Two Chefs.
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