‘A TASTE OF MOROCCO’ AT LAGUNA BINTAN

Featuring guest chefs from Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, the week-long food festival immerses diners in tantalising and characteristic flavours from Morocco

Laguna Bintan is pleased to present A Taste of Morocco, a Moroccan food festival that promises to bring diners on a unique, gastronomical journey to the Northern tip of Africa.

Held at different venues within the integrated resort Laguna Bintan, the week-long fiesta allows diners to discover Morocco’s iconic cuisine that is collaboratively curated by guest chefs – Chef Hariri Amine and Chef Ettajani El Youssfi, who are both based in Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay, Morocco.

On the first night of A Taste of Morocco, diners are presented with a Moroccan Feast Buffet Dinner on Xana Beach Club Bintan with a selection of salads and appetisers, meat and seafood tagines, roast meats and fish and various desserts with tangy citrus flavours, almonds and fruits. Throughout the week, diners can opt for a 3-course or 5-course set menu for lunch and dinner consisting of meats and vegetables with a distinct use of spices creating a flavour profile that is unique to the country’s cuisine.

The 3- course set menu invites diners to kickstart the journey of discovery with a welcome drink of fresh dates and organic milk with orange blossom, and a palate opening Amuse Bouche where Sellou (lightened yogurt) is tastefully mixed with almond and pistachio.

Conceptualising the mains with the focus on the country’s signature lamb meat and tagine (slow-cooked stews in earthenware pot), Chef Hariri and Chef Ettajani presents diners with a choice of Shoulder of Lamb Confit or a Seafood Tagine.

Shoulder of Lamb Confit features succulent lamb roasted to caramelized perfection that is served with dates, sautéed vegetables with garlic and parsley potato, a well-rounded combination of flavours. Equally tantalising, the Seafood Tagine offers diners a savoury stew of the freshest seafood catch seasoned with spices such as chili pepper, coriander and lime – iconic of Moroccan cuisine.

No meal is complete without dessert – the uniquely Pastilla combines crisp and light pastry with almond milk, orange blossom and roasted hazelnuts to conclude the meal on a sweet note.

The 5-course menu also includes the Harira Soup, an authentic tomato, chickpea, lentil and lamb Moroccan soup, as well as the Mini Chicken Pastilla, spiced chicken wrapped in crispy Pillo pastry with cinnamon sugar, offering a sophisticated blend of spices and flavours.

On 17 March, there will be a Moroccan Brunch pool party at Cassia and for those who are keen to get closer to the action, there will also be a cooking class for Seedling students on 22 March 2019. During this cosy and intimate session, participants will get to recreate classic Moroccan dishes, including some of those featured over the course of the week.

A Taste of Morocco is part of Laguna Bintan’s exciting lifestyle experience with Angsana Bintan, the only private beachfront resort with a dedicated conservation lab on Bintan. A key highlight of Angsana Bintan includes its Rangers Club, the fun-filled programme that immerses children in an educational adventure that enhances their overall development and communication skills. Rangers Club also seeks to impart the knowledge and importance of being environmentally conscious to the young participants.

The integrated resort also offers access to a 1.5-kilometre private beach; a range of restaurants and destination dining options; an 18-hole golf course; award-winning Banyan Tree and Angsana Spas; sea sports and activities; and private marine and island excursions.

A Taste of Morocco Week-long Programme Details

For reservations: Please email reservations-bintan@banyantree.com