For Immediate Release

Ubud, Bali – June 17, 2024 – The enchanting town of Ubud, Bali, recently hosted an extraordinary culinary event, the Secret Retreats Chefs Gathering, from May 10th to 12th, 2024. This prestigious event brought together some of Asia's most talented chefs from the Secret Tables collection, creating a vibrant platform for sharing experiences, skills, and a mutual passion for culinary arts.

The event was held at Locavore NXT in Ubud, and featured an impressive lineup of participants from across Asia, including Gileemale Walawwa & Estate from Sri Lanka, The Embassy from Cambodia, Echo from Myanmar, Herbivore, Locavore NXT, Lotus Hotels Group, Lab X, Nusantara, and Apéritif from Indonesia, Farmlore from India, Gallery by Chele from the Philippines, Redbox, Blackitch, and Intangible from Thailand, Au Jardin and Gēn 根 from Malaysia, and Secret Garden from Vietnam. This diverse assembly highlighted the event's significance and the chefs' dedication to fostering a collaborative culinary community.

Event Highlights:

• Welcome Cocktails and Authentic Indonesian Cuisine: The event kicked off with unique cocktails at Night Roosters, followed by a dinner at Nusantara restaurant, offering an authentic Indonesian culinary experience.
• Foraging Expedition: The second day began with an immersive foraging trip into Bali's lush landscapes, where chefs explored local edible plants and fruits, culminating in a traditional Balinese lunch featuring Babi Guling (suckling pig) and other local delicacies right in the jungle.
• Engaging Workshops: Afternoon sessions at Locavore NXT's new facilities included a coffee workshop, a tempeh-making class, and a tutorial on mushroom cultivation, providing valuable insights into sustainable culinary practices.
• Mystery Box Challenge: The final day featured an exciting mystery box challenge, where chefs teamed up  randomly to create innovative dishes from secret ingredients. The resulting creations were served at a Charity Dinner, with all proceeds benefiting the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. This foundation provides education and hotelier training to underprivileged children in Sumba Island.

The gathering was more than just an event; it was a celebration of culinary excellence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to giving back to the community. Chefs participated at their own expense, driven by a desire to learn from each other and contribute to a noble cause.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year's Chefs Gathering,” said Stephane Junca, The founder and Managing Director of Secret Retreats. “It was incredible to witness the passion and creativity of these talented chefs, to see them sharing and exchanging – as our goal is to be a community of like-minded chefs willing to share and give. They all dedicated time and prepared a challenging but fantastic dinner with a positive impact to Sumba Hospitality Foundation.”

Every year, Secret Retreats organize a few events. Next Events:

• Secret Retreats Members Gathering:  4 days of fun and exchange for all Secret Retreats members in Calcutta starting from September 28, 2024.
• There will be a series of  Gourmet events throughout the year, until the next Chefs Gathering planned in February 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

For more information and high-resolution images from the event, please contact bree@secret-retreats.com.

About Secret Retreats: Secret Retreats is a collection of unique and independently owned boutique hotels, villas, cruises, and restaurants throughout Asia. Each member shares a passion for creating memorable experiences through personalized service, authentic cultural experiences, and a commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Media Contact:

Bree Surathin

PR & Communication Manager at Secret Retreats

bree@secret-retreats.com

http://www.secret-retreats.com