Keemala Raises Sustainability & Authenticity With New Guest Experiences

Phuket's luxury boutique resort Keemala introduces newly curated experiences that aim to promote a deeper sense of immersion for guests and a more extensive commitment toward environmental sustainability.

Keeping in line with the resort's cultural philosophy, the new line up of guest activities also clearly highlight the urgency to care for our world and our nature. Those stepping into Keemala will not only bask in the lavishing and rustic designs of the villas, but will also be enticed to step beyond the sumptuous surroundings to enjoy the basics of living through our fine gastronomy, pampering spa treatments, and inspiring bespoke gatherings.

The following experiences are available to all guests and visitors from July 2019 onward:

• Cooking in the Garden: 

At the heart of Keemala is the resort's 'Enchanted Garden', an oasis of herbs, vegetables and fruit grown organically and harvested daily for the kitchen and spa. With an abundance of produce from these plots, and with the intention to share the most basic yet essential Thai cuisine trademarks to culinary enthusiasts, Keemala has launched complimentary Thai Curry Makingand Coconut Milk Making classes in the garden, where ingredients are picked fresh from the soil by guests.

• Sustainable Seafood: 

In an effort to raise the sustainable commitment, Keemala's Executive Chef set out to visit local markets and fishing communities in search of reliable, like-minded suppliers to source fish that is line caught within 10-20 kilometres from Phuket shoreline. Guests may expect to see such varieties as snappers, pomfrets, and monk fish on the menu, with seasonal availability.

• Zero Waste Meetings: 

Also on the path toward sustainability, Executive Retreats at Keemala are more mindful than ever with 'Zero Waste' meetings, where there is no single-use plastics such as bottles and product packaging, and food waste is managed with onsite composting for the resort's garden, for example. Meeting packages complete with the signature 'Food for Thought' coffee break that is inventive, healthy and interactive for an inspiring and hands on experience.

• Samrab Phuket Menu: 

Going back to the roots of Phuket gastronomy, Keemala now offers 'Samrab Phuket' set menu featuring traditional Phuket dishes such as Moo Hong (stewed pork belly) and Gaeng-Pu Mee-Hoon (crab curry with rice noodles). A perfect meal for two, this menu is also available as vegan option, and is available both for lunch and dinner where reservations are required.

Keemala, which opened in December 2015, is an award-winning, all-pool villa resort ideal for guests and couples looking for a rustic, yet lavishing, retreat from everyday life. The resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Website: keemala.com/

Wild Foraging, Hinterland Harvests and Legendary Lunches on the Sunshine Coast: The Curated Plate

Long a foodie haven, travellers can truly taste the sunshine with the newest culinary festival serving up 10 events across four days, not to mention paddock to plate dishes served with 10/10 views. Here are our three top picks to get those tummies rumbling:

Good Food presents The Legends Lunch
Good Food Guide Citi Chef of the Year, Peter Gilmore (The Quay and Bennelong) is teaming up with Analiese Gregory (Franklin) to create an incredible three-course lunch, paired with wines, and held in the stunning Yandina Station overlooking Mount Coolum on the Sunshine Coast's scenic hinterland.

Where: Yandina Station, Yandina Creek, Sunshine Coast
When: Thursday, August 8
How much: $290pp

A Hinterland Harvest
A Hinterland Harvest is as much about the brilliance of the food as it is about the location, atmosphere and unprecedented access to world-class chefs. Enjoy a spectacular four-course lunch prepared by Chef Raymond Blanc (Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons), the man who trained Marco Pierre White among other celebrated chefs and whose long-running restaurant in Britain has retained two Michelin stars for over 30 years. Joining him in the kitchen is Nelly Robinson, owner of the culinary progressive Sydney restaurant new and local plant-based champion Alejandro Cancino (ex-Urbane, Brisbane).

Where: Weddings at Tiffany's, 409 Mountain View Rd, Maleny QLD 4552
When: 12:30pm Friday, August 9
How much: $290pp

Good Food presents Wild Forage Dining
Put the Sunshine Coast's wild produce in the spotlight and join Japan's Zaiyu Hasegawa (whose restaurant Den was voted Best Restaurant in Japan), Chase Kojima of Sydney's hatted restaurant Sokyo and the Gold Coast's Kiyomi, and Matt Stone, joint executive chef of Yarra Valley's stunning Oakridge Estate restaurant, as they prepare an incredible four-course dinner using the best locally sourced ingredients.

Where: Restaurant on Mooloolaba Beach, South of Mooloolaba Surf Club, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
When: 5:30pm Friday, August 9
How much: $290pp

For more information on the Curated Plate:
Dates: August 8 – 11
Tickets and website: http://www.thecuratedplate.com.au/sunshine-coast/

What's New in Tasmania? Your Tassie Food Guide

Off the Table Tours Mushroom Tunnel

Over the coming months, Tasmania is set to offer a new range of contemporary food experiences on a large and small scale. Enthusiastic newcomers are forging a fresh path as restaurateurs and producers. New experiences have been created to showcase the high quality of agriculture and aquaculture in Tasmania such as cooking schools and touring products.

Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures
As Fresh As It Gets
Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures invites you to take a morning or afternoon tour cruising through Tasmania’s idyllic waterways while enjoying the freshest seafood caught right in front of you. The tour departs from the Hobart waterfront and offers five hours of cruising and feasting. You’ll see divers harvest periwinkles and sea urchins from the sea floor through two onboard plasma TVs linked to underwater cameras. You’ll visit a Tasmanian oyster farm to taste them as fresh as they get and enjoy a degustation menu including rock lobster, abalone, and salmon. All followed by a platter of Tasmanian cheese and fudge. The tour takes 12 people on board the luxury catamaran that will keep you dry – no matter the weather. The catamaran has warm indoor seating and covered outdoor seating to keep passengers comfortable. Watch out for towering sea cliffs, colonies of seals, flocks of seabirds, penguins, and dolphins.
www.tasmanianwildseafoodadventures.com.au

Ilha Restaurant, Cygnet
Southern Flavours in Cygnet
Former MasterChef contestant Sarah Clare is set to open Ilha, a new South American style restaurant in her hometown of Cygnet. Cygnet is 50 minutes from Hobart in the agriculturally abundant Huon Valley. Ilha is located in the venue that was formerly the School House Coffee Shop and will serve tapas as well as a seasonal a la carte menu. The wine list will feature wine from Tasmania, mainland Australia, and South America. Sarah appeared on Masterchef 2018 and was a popular contestant, finishing in the top ten.
https://www.instagram.com/ilha_restaurant/

Off The Table
Back To The Source
Off The Table tours offer a unique opportunity for food lovers to go behind the scenes of Tasmania’s top producers. Private farms are opening their gates for visitors to pick, taste, and savour the paddock-to-plate Tasmanian food experience. Go truffle hunting, learn how to grow a native kitchen garden or harvest organic forest honey. Experiences include a tour of award-winning Lentara Olive Grove where you can indulge in a tasting tray of olive oils, dukkah, table olives, and olive leaf tea. Take in the 130 varieties of heirloom tomatoes at Tasmanian Natural Garlic & Tomatoes on their official tomato tour. The day includes a six-course tomato tasting, highlighting the diversity of each crop. The Pure Tour Eggspedition is one and a half hours spent exploring Tasmania’s largest free-range egg farm Pure Foods Eggs. Tours range in price from $38 to $65 and are held seasonally across Tassie.
www.offthetable.io

Hinton Bay Kitchen Cooking School and Hinton Bay Vineyard
Paddock To Plate

Hinton Bay Cooking School 

The Hinton Bay Kitchen Cooking School is at the Hinton Bay Vineyard at Hillwood in the Tamar Valley. The large private kitchen is open for visitors to book a variety of cooking classes. Learn how to make authentic dolmades by picking your own leaves from the Hinton Bay vineyard, or join one of the Italian vegan, Thai or cocktail party food classes. Cooking class times are generally 10 am till 1 pm for short courses and 9 am till 3 pm for a full day. This allows time to devour your dishes in the kitchen’s dining room overlooking the Tamar Valley. Enjoy a drop from the Hinton Bay Vineyard and perfectly match your cooking class menu with the boutique vineyard’s chardonnay or pinot noir. Book your cooking classes as a group of four singles or two couples and stay in the onsite boutique accommodation.
www.hintonbaykitchen.com.au

Pulchella Berry Farm
Roadside Delights
Pulchella is a boutique farm in Buckland growing raspberries and seasonal produce. Run by husband and wife team, Adam and Laura-Kate, the property is the perfect spot to stop on the Great Eastern Drive, stretch your legs and taste some of Tassie’s sweet berries. The farm gate stall is bursting with seasonal fruit – raspberries, blueberries, mulberries, apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes and mulberries, along with potatoes, eggs, jam, honey and garlic. Pulchella is open every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm. Take a seat at the picnic table or spread out a rug on the lawn.
www.facebook.com/pulchellaberryfarm

Port Cygnet Cannery, Port Cygnet
Food and Farming Hub
The Port Cygnet Cannery is set to open in winter as a hub of food, drink and agricultural business in southern Tasmania. The first stage includes a wood-fired eatery, bar, beer garden and space for events. The Cannery will also house Sailor Seeks Horse, where winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe will produce and sell their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Cannery’s aim is to encourage small farm agriculture and small producers from the region by supporting their people and selling their products.
www.portcygnetcannery.com

Website: travelmedia.tourismtasmania.com.au