Sofitel So Bangkok will stage the "So Amazing Chefs 2012", a gastronomic extravaganza from Tuesday to Sept 29. Participating in this event are a dozen internationally renowned chefs from eight countries who are members of the "Village de Chefs", a site where French or francophone professionals working abroad, share their experiences for the enrichment of Gallic gastronomy throughout the world.

The 12 top chefs participating in the event are Stephane Bonnat from Voiron, France; Sebastien Bouillet from Lyon, France; Alain Caron from Amsterdam, Holland; Pierre-Yves Lebihan from Houston, USA; Didier Corlou from Hanoi, Vietnam; Christian Echterbille from Houston, USA; Marc Friederich from Paarl, South Africa; Patrick Jeffroy from Brittany, France; Chris Salans from Bali, Indonesia; Romain Valicon from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Paul Smart, chef of Sofitel So Bangkok's Park Society; and Nicolas A. Vienne, Sofitel So Bangkok's executive chef.

The five-day event offers various options, from morning and afternoon cooking masterclasses, held in the hotel's restaurants, to themed lunches and unique set menu dinners where each of six or nine courses are prepared by a different chef.

The highlight is on Thursday, when a "Culinary Showdown" will take place with nine chefs, each at their own individual cooking station, giving virtuoso displays of their skills. Presented in the hotel's Ballroom, guests will get a close-up view of the culinary maestros at work, while Thai celebrity chefs will judge and add to the excitement. All proceeds from the showdown will be donated to the CCF Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to help needy children.

The hotel also works with Vatel International Business School at Silpakorn University to allow a group of Thai students who are studying Hotel and Tourism Management to have an opportunity to work with these world-class chefs in the kitchens for their own development and skills enhancement.

"So Amazing Chefs 2012", Sept 25-29, Sofitel So Bangkok, Sathon Nua Road. For reservations, call 02-624-0000 or email: h6835-fb5@sofitel.com