Chef Raymond Tham runs the Dior Café, as the one-of-a-kind dining experience arrives in Malaysia for the first time, taking place from 18 to 22 November 2021 at Colony Star Boulevard, Kuala Lumpur alongside the showcase of Dior Cruise 2022 collection.
Dior brings the Cruise 2022 season to Kuala Lumpur with an immersive experience comprising an exclusive showcase of the collection. The Dior Cruise 2022 celebrates the eternal beauty of Greece with silhouettes adopting a resolutely contemporary sportswear style where cuts are loose and supple, as well as boldly matched and mixed motifs.
Along with the enchanting showcase combining past and present, there will also be the highly anticipated Dior Café. The first of its kind in Malaysia, Dior Café will take place at the iconic roof top of Colony Star Boulevard. With the immaculate vista of the Twin Towers, diners will immerse in an epic experience in the evenings with a soiree-like atmosphere amidst the garden-themed setting.
There will also be seatings on the 5th floor, set indoors with views of the city and plenty of Instagram-worthy corners for photo opportunities. On the menu is a Greek-forward creation curated by Chef Raymond Tham of [email protected] and Beta KL. The charismatic chef will present the All-Day Menu consisting of cold and warm dishes, desserts, as well as a bevvy of beverages to savour.
Ahead of the exciting event, we speak to Chef Raymond Tham on his inspiration behind the menu and his thoughts on running the first Dior Café in Malaysia.
I was over the moon especially since I’ve been following the journey of Maria Grazia Chiuri. Through her creations, I’ve also managed to get some inspirations to curate the menu for the first Dior Café.
Some of the standout dishes include the Local Calamari with Courgette Salad served with Umami Walnut made out of dehydrated fishbone and trimmings to promote a zero-waste concept in cooking. We also want to support local produce when creating this dish. The Poached Lobster with Compressed Watermelon, Fermented Tomato and Grilled Bell Pepper served with Beurre Noisette Foam is also another must-try — a dish using French technique while incorporating watermelon that is commonly used in Greek cuisine. I also added fermented tomato into the repertoire to give a hint of acidity and complexity to the dish.
Other dishes with a Greek narrative include the Kataifi Pastry Poached Egg and Autumn Truffles; as well as the Gyros Spiced Chicken with Spinach and Lemon Curd in Filo Cup, which is inspired by Greek street food. For desserts, sample the Semolina and Pistachio Cake with Tahini Cream, as well as the Chocolate Pain de Genes with Greek Coffee.
Dior Cruise 2022 is about movement, freedom, and the athletic spirit inspired by the Greek goddess. This menu will feature a blend of Greek sensibilities and the French spirit of Maison Dior. Diners can expect some classic French flavours with a Greek twist on the menu.
I’ve also lost more than 30kg during the recent MCO 3.0, and I try to make this menu ‘lighter’ and health-friendly — which also ties back to Maria Grazia Chiuri’s creation that emphasises sports. For instance, we significantly reduce the amount of sugar in the desert, and the menu uses more Greek yoghurt instead of butter and cream.
In terms of the colours of the dishes, you’ll see decadent neutral tones like cream, beige, and white on the plate. This reflects the Cruise 2022 collection as well. Various shapes and textures are also incorporated on the plate to create the ‘silhouette’ like a fashion designer on his or her creations.
I’d say let your imagination roam free with your own personal interpretation. As a chef, I like to challenge myself by trying new techniques, as well as exploring new flavours and ingredients. I also enjoy employing pastry-making techniques into savoury creations. In the fashion house, a designer chooses different fabrics, prints and cuts. Similarly in my artistry, I think about the themes, and then choose what the ingredients we want to feature, how we want to cook it and so on. I believe there are similarities on the art of creation in both the fashion and food contexts.
It is definitely a ‘once in a blue moon’ experience.
The Dior Cruise 2022 collection showcase is open to public from 11.00AM to 9.00PM and the Dior Café runs from 11.00AM to 7.00PM by appointment only. You can make your reservations in advance by calling +6012-5778419.
This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia KL.