Thailand

INNSiDE Meliá Bangkok chef news: Thailand’s first Innside by Meliá hotel has appointed Juan Ignacio García Racionero, who has honed his craft in some of Spain’s finest kitchens, as Spanish chef de cuisine.

The Madrid-born chef joins the new hotel, that debuted in July 2023 in Bangkok’s On Nut neighbourhood, after working at one Michelin-starred Saddle as well as Diverxo, recognized in the top three ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2023, and acclaimed restaurants El Jardin De La Marquina and Montellen.

His decade-long experience as a chef includes stints at restaurants Puerta 57, Café Pino, Restaurante La Chans and Rios De Luz. He has also worked at hotels and in catering, including with Morlans Hotels and Globales Don Pedro in Mallorca, and Curcuma Catering and Events.

As part of his studies with the Pérez Valladolid International Cooking School in Valladolid and Madrid’s hotel management school Le Cordon Bleu, he interned extensively at Montellen and Saddle restaurants respectively.

In his new role, Racionero has taken charge of Innside by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s signature LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, on the hotel’s two uppermost floors, the 34th and 33rd floors, where every seat is an opportunity to embark on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.

“Since I was on vacation in Thailand with my mother many years ago, I have not stopped thinking about one day working and living here in Bangkok as the culture is fascinating,” he said. “It’s an honour to share my passion for Spanish cuisine, an extraordinary cuisine, at LUZ by giving it a special, differentiating touch that comes from a very personal place.”

“Through his rich and varied experience at remarkable restaurants in his native Spain, as well as with hotels and in catering, Juan is an all-rounder and the obvious choice to take our diners at LUZ on a culinary journey through Spain’s different regions … as they also take a front-row seat to Bangkok’s compelling skyline,” added the hotel’s GM Aarron Nelson.

In addition to LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, the hotel’s dining landscape features all-day Thai dining restaurant The Kites Eatery, The Giant Swing Pool Bar on the 34th floor, and café and lobby bar The Open Living Lounge that’s integrated into the hotel’s 32nd floor co-working space.

The hotel joins a collection of unique urban and beach hotels in 14 different countries designed for those with curious minds who cultivate a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure.