Chefs Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom and Napol “Joe” Jantraget. Handout
MANILA — Michelin-starred Thai chef Napol “Joe” Jantraget will join Benjarong Manila Executive Chef Watcharaphon “Ja” Yongbanthom for a two-night culinary collaboration on October 15 and 16 at Dusit Thani Manila.
Dubbed “Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers,” the collaboration will feature a seven-course menu showcasing the chefs’ complementary approaches to Thai cuisine. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. each night and is priced at P10,500 net per person.
Jantraget, founder and culinary director of Bangkok-based Banana Blossom, brings experience from Michelin-starred kitchens and a culinary philosophy that combines classical global techniques with Thailand’s indigenous ingredients and regional culinary traditions.
His career began at 80/20 in Bangkok, where he earned his first Michelin star. He later established several Thai dining concepts, including Nawa Thai Cuisine, Kwann, Samlor and Siplor. Samlor has received a MMichelin Guide Bib Gourmand, while Nawa, which he founded with his wife and pastry partner, Chef Saki Hoshino, earned a Michelin star within nine months of opening and was named the Michelin Guide’s Opening of the Year.
For the Manila collaboration, Jantraget will work alongside Chef Ja, who has led Benjarong’s kitchen for more than a decade. Drawing on her experience in Thailand and the Philippines, Chef Ja has developed a contemporary interpretation of Royal Thai cuisine while maintaining its traditional foundations. Benjarong has received recognition from the Michelin Guide and other dining institutions under her leadership.
Handout
The seven-course menu will bring together Chef Ja’s Royal Thai tradition and Jantraget’s progressive, research-driven approach, incorporating techniques from both chefs as well as flavors and culinary influences from their personal backgrounds.
The collaboration is part of Dusit Thani Manila’s “Food for Thought” campaign, which runs throughout October and focuses on the relationship between food and sustainability. The campaign highlights responsible sourcing, thoughtful culinary practices and greater appreciation for ingredients.
“Manila Calls, Bangkok Answers” will be held at Benjarong, Dusit Thani Manila, on October 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. The seven-course dinner is priced at P10,500 net per person.