To kick-start its 30th Anniversary celebrations in 2017, Asia's premier destination resort - Laguna Phuket had successfully launched the inaugural Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival from Friday, 3 to Sunday, 5 March 2017 as a charity event with underprivileged children of Phuket as the beneficiary.
The Festival aims to heighten Phuket Province's status as a "City of Gastronomy" conferred by the UNESCO, to create yet another lifestyle destination event within Laguna Phuket and to raise funds for "Children First Fund" specially set up for this 30th Anniversary with the objective of "Nourishing Hearts, Inspiring Dreams". Part proceeds of the key year-long events will be contributed to support the nutrition of needy children in Phuket orphanages.
The three-day charity food festival with live music, entertainment and appearances of Celebrity Chef Audra Morrice and performing stars unfolded at different locations within the integrated resort. Attended by approximately 4,000 participants, the Festival had raised close to THB 2 million during the weekend.
Festival Highlights
Ringing in the mood of festivities on 3 March, various Laguna Phuket's resorts presented music and gastronomic dinners whipped up by celebrity chefs including Iron Chef Thailand judge Chef Rapeepat Boriboon, Chef Thammasak Chootong and Chef Sean Connolly from Australia, each showcasing their specialties at Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Banyan Tree Phuket and Angsana Laguna Phuket respectively.
On 4 March, from 11am to 8pm, the Festival at Canal Village by the tranquil lagoons featured 'live' culinary demonstrations by Australia reality cooking competition MasterChef Asia Judge Chef Audra Morrice, 28 food booths by top restaurants in Phuket serving tantalising international and Peranakan cuisine, food truck and a dining garden accompanied by vibrant professional musical and band performances by aspiring youths. The admission-free Festival saw more than 3,000 guests comprising tourists and local residents.
On the same evening, the sold-out Festival's star-studded Charity Gala Dinner for 460 guests was held at the grand Latitude Marquee with celebrity stars' appearance. Amidst a four-course gourmet dinner specially created by Chef Audra Morrice, mesmerising music filled the air as Thailand's pop-opera band Fivera, jazz band Jazziam and celebrity singers Black 'n' Blue, Gam and Dome took the stage.
Hosted by Managing Director of Laguna Phuket Mr. Ravi Chandran, the Charity Gala Dinner was graced by esteemed guests - Minister of Tourism & Sports Dr Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and Phuket Governor Dr Chokchai Dej-amornthan Founder & Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings Mr KP Ho and Co-Founder of Banyan Tree & Chairperson of Banyan Tree Global Foundation Ms Claire Chiang - who partook in an exquisite "Lo Hei" tossing ceremony onstage with Celebrity Chef Audra Morrice and the guests to commence the dinner.
Gala highlight included an entertaining "live" auction with great prizes that ranged from a round of golf with six-time Major winner, Laguna Golf Brand Ambassador Sir Nick Faldo, a 45-minute performance by Fivera, luxurious accommodations in deluxe hotel brands around the world, roundtrip flights to leading destinations by various airlines, luxury yacht cruises and jewellery sets.
The grand finale was the Charity Super Sunday Brunch on 5 March where executive chefs from five of Laguna Phuket's seven deluxe resorts joined culinary prowess and presented a sumptuous international brunch at the contemporary XANA Beach Club.
Laguna Phuket aspires to grow this new Laguna Phuket Food & Music Festival into another permanent installation on Phuket tourism's calendar like its famous annual marathon and triathlon events.
The Festival has gained success as a platform to launch and raise funds for "Children First Fund" specially set up in conjunction with Laguna Phuket's 30th Anniversary this year with the objective of "Nourishing Hearts, Inspiring Dreams". This is in support of the monthly food nutrition and necessities contribution for over 400 needy children in 7 Phuket orphanages. With close to THB 2 million raised, this will provide nutrition sustenance for at least one full year.
From now to 31 March 2017, Laguna Phuket will continue to raise money for Children First Fund via its Online Charity Auction with great prizes still available for bidding support at www.lagunaphuket.com/auction
For more information, please visit www.lagunaphuket.com/foodandmusicfestival.
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