Pimalai Resort on Koh Lanta, Thailand Appoints Olivier Pauchard as F&B Manager

Dark/Light Mode (19/06/23)  One of Thailand's best hotels, the Pimalai Resort & Spa on the southern Thai island of Koh Lanta, has appointed Olivier Pauchard as Food & Beverage Manager.

A French culinary expert and former head chef, Olivier grew up on a farm in the north of France where he was surrounded by fresh produce and learned how to transform raw ingredients into delicious and nutritious dishes. As he grew older, Olivier experimented with cooking techniques and his food became more creative, innovative and adventurous.

Olivier Pauchard

Having graduated with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism from the University of Toulouse, he eventually held head chef roles at restaurants in Switzerland before moving to Asia in 2015 to embark on the next exciting phase of his career.

Since then, Olivier has worked at a number of hotels and restaurant chains in Vietnam and Thailand, including a spell as Director of F&B for Belgo, the renowned Belgian craft beer company, before joining Pimalai, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).

While Pimalai is already a highly sustainable destination and a member of SLH’s Considerate Collection, an exclusive community of socially responsible and eco-conscious luxury hotels, Olivier revealed that he will now further enhance the connection between farm and fork.

“I am thrilled to be here at Pimalai. The resort’s commitment to using fresh, local ingredients is commendable, and the talented chefs here consistently deliver delicious dishes that highlight the unique flavours of southern Thailand. Pimalai has built up a well-deserved reputation for the last 21 years. But of course, there is always room for improvement and innovation,” said Olivier. “One of our priorities is to focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness, which means working with more local farmers and fishermen to source ingredients, reducing food waste, and implementing environmentally-friendly practices in our bars and kitchens.”

As F&B Manager at Pimalai, Olivier will oversee the resort’s popular restaurants and bars, including Rak Talay, which serves seafood by the beach; Seven Seas, a fine-dining destination nestled on the hillside overlooking Kantiang Bay; Spice & Rice, a Thai restaurant that focuses on local and seasonal produce; and The Banyan Tree Poolside Café, which specialises in light bites and daytime refreshments.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Olivier to the team at Pimalai. His career as a chef and F&B manager gives him a 360-degree view of the hospitality industry, especially in Asia where he has spent the last eight years. He is also still a young man with exciting ideas – especially in areas of sustainability,” said Brice Borin, the luxury hotel’s General Manager. “At Pimalai, we have a strong culinary heritage and a commitment to social and environmental responsibility, so Olivier is perfectly aligned with our vision. We look forward to creating truly memorable gastronomic journeys for all our guests.”

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