British Chef David Lloyd recreates classic dishes with his unique tasting menu on 6th September

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                      28 August 2019

KOH SAMUI, THAILAND: SALA Samui Choengmon Beach, the stunning five-star resort on the pure shores of Koh Samui, is inviting guests to experience the culinary genius of David Lloyd, its executive chef, with a new Chef’s Table concept that celebrates the most familiar flavours of his childhood.

Hosted on Friday 6th September 2019, the Chef’s Table evening will showcase the unique skill and creativity of Chef David, who has previously worked at some of the UK’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurants. Demonstrating his own inimitable style, Chef David will take guests on a gastronomic journey of back to the 1970 and ‘80s, putting stylish and playful twists on some the dishes his mother served him when he was growing up.

Unfortunately, his mum was not a chef and regularly relied on packet snacks, convenience foods and ready meals to fit into their family’s busy lifestyle. Paying homage to this upbringing, Chef David is now on a mission to recreate these childhood dishes and elevate them into the modern world of fine dining.

“My mum was a terrible cook, which is part of the reason I ended up becoming a chef – I had to learn to cook!” Chef David admits. “This menu is full of the things that I, and many other British children of my generation, grew up with. It may seem strange today, but at the time we just took it for granted.

“Nowadays, the UK is home to many world-famous chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, and it’s wonderful to see how far British cuisine has progressed in the last 30 to 40 years. But I still have very fond memories of my childhood and I want to celebrate this in my menu. The Chef’s Table will aim to bring these unfashionable dishes into the 21st Century, while hopefully evoking many happy memories among our diners,” he added.

The “Memories of Mum’s Cooking” tasting menu features a series of familiar-sounding dishes, prepared and presented in ways that diners have never seen before. Savoury offerings include the classic “Prawn Cocktail” and “Marmite on Toast”, plus “Pickled Onion Monster Munch”, “Tinned Tomato Soup” and “Pot Noodle” – staples of British kitchen cupboards in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Other tempting fast food favourites include “Hot Dogs and Popcorn”, “Special Fried Rice” and “Fish and Chips with Curry Sauce”.

On the sweet side, guests will be able to experience three of the era’s most popular frozen desserts: “Vienetta”, “Sarah Lee’s Lemon Meringue Pie” and “Cornetto” ice creams. No meal would be complete without the classic “Crème Caramel”, and diners will be refreshed with the teenage classic drink, “Snakebite and Black”. Unlike the original dishes, each exquisite recreation will use the finest and freshest ingredients.

Born in London, Chef David has developed a global reputation for gastronomy, with restaurant ventures such as Rock Salt, Sea Salt and Rock Pool. He recently returned to the UK where he worked with Ashley Palmer Watts at the two Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. He was also invited by Chef Raymond Blanc OBE to stage a dining event at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, which also holds two Michelin stars. Now he has returned to Thailand to create outstanding culinary experiences at SALA Samui Choengmon Beach.

Chef David’s “Memories of Mum’s Cooking” tasting menu will be hosted at the SALA Restaurant, SALA Samui Choengmon Beach, on Friday 6th September 2019. This unique adults-only occasion is priced at THB 2,500++ per person. For more information and to book your place at the Chef’s Table, please email [email protected].

To learn more about SALA Samui Choengmon Beach, please visit www.salahospitality.com/samui.