Two dozen elite chefs have declined to take part in a dinner at Bangkok’s Lebua Hotel, fearing controversy over what some critics have characterised it as a poverty tour for the rich.
On April 5, the hotel is offering a free 10-course meal for 50 rich customers who – before the meal – will visit a village in northern Thailand to learn about poverty, Associated Press reported.
Deepak Ohri, Lebua’s CEO, was quoted saying that the intention was to wine and dine top clients while doing some good. The top clients would be asked to donate money to build a school, a clinic and other things the village lacks.
Three of France’s most celebrated chefs initially agreed to cook the feast but have pulled out now. The plan had sparked an uproar in the French media, slamming the US$300,000 excursion to take the rich slumming, the report said.
“You can’t see people living in misery and then go back to Bangkok to eat foie gras and truffles,” one of the chefs was quoted saying.
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