Above: The 16-suite lodge lies close to the capital.
One of the world’s most distinguished chefs is to prepare two celebratory dinners in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan this September.
Eric Ripert is head chef at Le Bernardin, one of only seven New York City restaurants to hold the maximum three-star rating from the Michelin Guide. Ripert will combine his established French technique with ingredients and flavors of Bhutanese cuisine for guests at Amankora Thimpu on September 14 and 15.
It will be the first time a Michelin-starred chef has cooked in Bhutan.
The chef of Amankora Thimphu, Matthew Schaefer, was formerly a sous chef at Le Bernardin and will introduce Ripert to the lodge’s signature dishes. Amankora will also arrange for Ripert to tour the surrounding areas, dining in private homes and foraging for chanterelle mushrooms.
Ripert, who is a practicing Buddhist, will then explore the mountainous kingdom, visiting the four other lodges on the Amankora circuit in Paro, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang.
Guests arriving between September 14 to 27 may be able to join Ripert on part of his journey—anyone wishing to do so should enquire at the time of reservation.
Rates based on double occupancy start at US$1,550 per night, while single occupancy begins at US$1,450.
