Eat, Drink and Breathe Sustainability and Indulgence at InterContinental Phuket Resort

SUSTAINABILITY HAS BECOME an important aspect of indulgent stays for many discerning travellers. Those seeking authentic and responsible holidays and experiences have long embraced properties that showcase sustainable practices that protect our planet and ensure the longevity of the very destinations we love to explore.

Leading the way in Thailand — one of the most visited countries in the world — is InterContinental Phuket Resort. The resort offers more than just getaways in paradise. IInstead, it acts as a steward of the environment, considering its coastal position a privileged responsibility and is committed to acting as a guardian for its surrounds.

Simply Elegant

Stretched seductively along stunning Kamala Beach, the InterContinental Phuket Resort offers an unparalleled luxury experience that pairs a breathtaking location with world-class amenities. The resort seamlessly blends with its natural surroundings, providing guests with magnificent views of the Andaman Sea and the pristine white sands of the beach. 

The resort strikes an ideal balance between responsibility and pure pleasure, with the former never detracting from the latter.

With an enviable selection of beautifully appointed rooms and suites and super-impressive facilities supported by an expert team both front of house and behind the scenes, the property is one of Phuket’s most exclusive and desirable addresses.

And the resort’s environmental work stretches far beyond the bounds of the property. Whether it’s helping to maintain Kamala Beach or through its partnerships with like-minded organisations, the property is committed to joining efforts, making a difference, and protecting the island it calls home.

The InterContinental Phuket Resort also has some of the best restaurants in the region, such as Jaras, recently recommended by Michelin, who praised its “honest roots” and ethically produced “modern showcase of Thai flavours”.

Modern Innovative Cuisine

Constructed using recycled and responsibly sourced materials in both its exterior and interiors, sustainability is literally built into the Jaras foundation. Even the ornamental plates displayed in the dining area are made from smashed crockery mixed with “waste” products, like oyster shells and coffee grounds, to create decorations that match the Jaras eco-approach.

This passion for environmentalism is not just for show and extends from the dining area, through the kitchen and directly onto the plate. Working in collaboration with Katian Farm in Phang-nga, the hotel has expanded its durian crop to produce lemon, papaya and fig trees; finger lime bushes, edible flowers, chili peppers and capsicum, and flocks of free-roaming chickens and ducks. 

The freshly harvested crops are sent to Jara’s expert chefs, who clean, chop and combine these artisanal ingredients into sensational dishes, like Giant Blue Crab Curry, which are both good for the environment and exploding with natural flavours.

The resort’s pioneering food philosophy has also led to bold new partnerships with respected institutions to help discover new sources of nutrition in their push towards fully sustainable gastronomy.

Recent collaborations with the World Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF) – Thailand have enabled the resort to research the potential of invasive flora and fauna — a serious threat to wildlife, farming and the local economy — as ingredients in innovative new cuisine and fine dining.

The supreme and sustainable tasting menu at Jaras, for example, takes several unique approaches to green dining. It uses intrusive plants and critters as ingredients in inventive dishes while the zero-waste Kanom Jean blends bones and head together to craft the base of the fish-and-noodle dish. Adorned with flaky fish and topped with fried scales and skin for an extra crunchy texture, the hearty offering is a true winner.

These fresh and imaginative ideas not only electrify the palate and help remove unwanted additions to the ecosystem, they also raise awareness of a growing problem that needs to be addressed. With the support and recommendations of the Alternative Agriculture Network (AAN), the F&B team at InterContinental Phuket Resort has become a leading voice promoting sustainability in the culinary industry, bringing the spotlight onto the issue of invasive species.

Authentic Locavorism

Building partnerships with local producers is another fundamental aspect of InterContinental Phuket Resort’s ethical approach. By entering agreements with

nearby farmers, fishermen and producers, the resort supports the local community through long-lasting beneficial relationships while being able to show off the vibrant flavours of the local cuisine.

The resort’s culinary team, led by talented chefs with a passion for Thai flavours, crafts each dish to highlight the unique tastes and textures of locally obtained ingredients. From freshly caught seafood to organic fruits and vegetables, every meal at InterContinental Phuket Resort is a celebration of Phuket’s natural abundance.

The commitment to locavorism not only ensures the freshness and quality of the food on your plate but also reflects the resort’s dedication to environmental responsibility and connection to the surrounding region.

Passionate About Fermentation

Over at hom, InterContinental Phuket Resort’s second Michelin-recommended eatery, the team has placed fermentation and preservation at the centre of their sustainability action plan to drastically reduce waste. 

One example is how the kitchen team cures daikon and carrot skins, usually thrown away, with salt to create a deeply savoury condiment used on their fish toast. Or how leftover juiced lemons — marinated in shio koji, smoked, blackened, and dried — are used as a seasoning in many of hom’s innovative and exciting dishes.

Sustainable gastronomy also makes an appearance in hom’s dessert menu in offerings like the signature white chocolate biscuit sprinkled with candied local ants. This treat arrives as part of the petit fours selection served after the main course and provides an imaginative variation on a traditional favourite.

With its unparalleled location, exquisite accommodations and exceptional culinary offerings, the InterContinental Phuket Resort is a pioneer of sustainability-infused luxury, committed to conserving the environment through personal ingenuity, community collaborations and a global conscience.

From dining journeys to the incredible offerings of Club InterContinental,  InterContinental Phuket offers seamless getaways that blend luxury, natural splendour, and local delights. To learn more, visit InterContinental Phuket Resort. 

Article Sponsored by InterContinental Phuket Resort.
Images courtesy of InterContinental Phuket Resort.

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