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A sizzling selection of award-winning chefs, delicious food, wine tastings, interactive cooking classes and seminars, plus the world's finest culinary purveyors will descend upon Thailand as The Regent Bangkok kicks off the city's second World Gourmet Festival on Tuesday, October30.

This week-long festival showcases the culinary brilliance and exquisite cuisine of master chefs from America, Canada, Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. Each dazzling creation will be paired with superb wines from famous vineyards of the world.

Regional Director of Food and Beverage Michael Branham said, "Following the popularity of last year's event we are even more excited to present this gastronomic odyssey in 2001. In conjunction with our talented team at The Regent Bangkok, we are delighted to present an exciting line up that takes our guests on innovative dining adventures that circle the globe. Never before has anyone in this country been able to sample the delights of 18 of the world's most loved and honoured chefs over an action-packed, eight-night extravaganza."

The Regent Bangkok will support HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana's Somdetya's Charity Fund. A portion of all funds generated through the second World Gourmet Festival will be donated to this prestigious foundation that strives to improve the lives of the underprivileged, sick and elderly especially in remote areas of Thailand.

This year's World Gourmet Festival opens on the evening of Tuesday, October 30 in the Ballroom with an elegant champagne reception and a array of selection of tastings from participating master chefs and vintners. Guests will also have an opportunity to mingle with the chefs and savour their signature creations.

The following seven gastronomic days will feature mid-day cooking classes, evening wine tastings and evening celebrations that allow guests to indulge in multinational cuisines - American, Australian, French, Spanish, Mediterranean, Japanese, Singaporean, Chinese and Thai. Each creation is paired with exquisite wines, cocktails, grappas, champagne or cognacs and served in the hotel's popular restaurants and well-appointed function rooms.

The World Gourmet Gala Dinner on Friday, November 2 promises to be a unique and very memorable affair. Preceding dinner a cocktail reception hosted by Veuve Clicquot in the beautiful glass enclosed marble foyer of the ballroom begins at 6:30 pm. This is followed by an eight-course dinner prepared by the visiting chefs featuring selections of their favorite dishes accompanied by a harmonious pairing of food and wine. The gala will also feature a live auction featuring unique wines and champagnes plus enticing travel packages. All proceeds from the auction will go to The Somdetya's Charity Fund, a foundation established by HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

In addition to these evening dining events, there will be mid-day seminars and cooking classes. Highlights include sessions on Japanese, American, Italian, Australian, French, Spanish/Portuguese, and Mediterranean cuisine presented by the guest chefs. Back by popular demand is a decadent chocolate seminar presented by award-winning Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles' Pastry Chef Donald Wressell and Vahlrona Chocolate. Each class includes a three-course lunch.

The week will also feature wine seminars, a Cuban cigar roller, foie gras seminar, oyster tasting featuring imported USA oysters from Hog Island and Westcott Oyster Farms, and afternoon tea and herbal infusion seminar with Penelope Sach.

Edited by Cynthia Ward Cooper

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