Simon Rogan, the internationally acclaimed British chef, restaurateur and farm-to-table pioneer has announced the opening of Aulis Phuket on Dec 7, a 15-seat chef’s table and his first restaurant in Thailand.
A beachside chef’s table concept, Aulis is chef Rogan’s way of inviting diners behind the scenes, to immerse in his philosophies, which are centred around respect and reverence for seasonality and local produce ushered from his Lake District roots.
The first iteration of Aulis opened in Cartmel, UK, in 2016, named as a tribute to Aulis Lehtimaki, a Finnish chef and artist, a key team member in the early days of chef Rogan’s three Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Enclume. Chef Rogan has since created Aulis London, which recently reopened after an extensive refurbishment, and in 2019, Aulis Hong Kong, his first international launch and first foray into Asia, where he also has the Michelin-starred Roganic.
As with other Aulis chef’s tables, Aulis Phuket will explore and experiment with hyper local ingredients, developing and perfecting flavours and techniques to create an experience for the 15 diners at each service. Alongside chef Rogan and executive chef Oli Marlow, the Aulis Phuket team will be led by Giacomo Primante, who brings experience from a global array of Michelin-starred restaurants.
A few favourite dishes will lend a nod to chef Rogan’s restaurants, each delivered with a local twist as well as seasonal additions, in the typical Aulis way. Aside from these, the multi-course Aulis Phuket menu will be dedicated to showcasing native ingredients from Thailand and Asia, working hand-in-hand with local farmers and growers.
“Achieving our three Michelin stars at L’Enclume last year, 20 years after first opening, felt like a long-held and hard earned dream come true. More than anything it has ignited our drive and ambition further. It feels exciting to find new ways to challenge ourselves, and one of the ways we are doing that is by exploring new countries and adapting our refined farm-to-table ethos which we have honed in Cartmel, to these new climates, terrains and cultures. Following on from recent pop-ups in Australia and Singapore, as well as our successes over the last few years in Hong Kong, when the opportunity in Thailand presented itself it seemed a perfect fit,” says chef Rogan.
Aulis Phuket will be within the grounds of Iniala Beach House, in the Takua Thung district of Phang-nga. The design of the chef's table is being led by creative director Ckori Pena, who has drawn inspiration from the desire to create an immersive and awe-inspiring space that will captivate diners; where every detail, from the textures to the lighting, tell a story. Wherever possible, local and Asian materials are being used.
Diners can look forward to the delights of Truffle pudding caramelised in honey from Phetchabun served with black garlic and blue cheese; Raw river prawn from Koh Sirey with buttermilk and smoked pike perch roe; Celtuce grilled over embers, jackfruit, young peppercorn and Hooker chives; Anda Farm 45 day aged beef short rib, pickled anchovies, bone marrow and passion fruit; and "Aulis" caramel mousse with white miso, pineapple infused with aromats, to name a few dishes.
Aulis Phuket will open on Dec 7 and the menu will be priced at B6,000 per person, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks pairings available. The 15-seat chef’s table will open for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday and for Sunday lunch.
Reservations are now live at aulis.co.uk/aulis-phuket.
