A scene from Explore Chiang Mai City, in which Chin (right) meets with the proprietor of Magnolia Cafe, P. Noy. — YouTube
Food and travel go together, and Darren Chin, one of Malaysia’s top chefs, knows this all too well.
Chin, who owns the one-Michelin-starred restaurant DC by Darren Chin in Kuala Lumpur, has teamed up with Malaysia Airlines to take travellers on a sensory journey through Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“It’s one of my favourite places,” he said during an event celebrating Malaysia Airlines’ upcoming new direct route to the Thai province from Kuala Lumpur. This service, commencing Aug 15, will mark the company’s 16th Asean destination.
The occasion was held at Gai, one of three restaurants under Chin’s belt, that serves Thai cuisine. His other restaurant is Bref; all three restaurants are included in the Michelin Guide for Kuala Lumpur, but only one is awarded with a Michelin star.
The event also celebrated the launch of Time For Chiang Mai With Chef Darren Chin, a four-part YouTube docuseries featuring the chef, and produced by the airline. The first episode, Explore Chiang Mai City, premiered on July 29 and shows Chin going around the city explaining why he loves the place (“... it’s almost like my second home as I have family and friends here,” he says in the clip).
Chin’s wife, Pachsita Kitikornchalowemwong or Nana, was born in Chiang Mai, while her parents are from the Mae Ai district in the province.
He also introduces viewers to Magnolia Cafe, run by his friend P. Noy, in the show. “I’ve learnt so much about Thai food in one meal over here,” he says in the video, after feasting on a few dishes cooked up by P. Noy.
The series is meant, among others, to entice travellers to take a trip to Chiang Mai and savour its culinary delights, as well as to experience all the different cultures there. In the videos (the media had a special viewing of all four episodes at the launch), Chin also introduces numerous places of interest in Chiang Mai, like an elephant sanctuary, a cultural village, a street food spot, and a handful of his favourite restaurants like Magnolia Cafe.
“Today, we celebrate the biodiversity of life, which is of the utmost importance when it comes to mental health and self healing. Chiang Mai is that special place to me. Chiang Mai has given that to me,” said Chin at the event.
A new episode of the series will premiere every Monday until Aug 19 on Malaysia Airlines’ official YouTube channel.
Meanwhile, the airline’s direct flight service to Chiang Mai, which is already available for booking, will run five times weekly; the route will be operated by the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
For more information, check out the Malaysia Airlines website or app.
