The central figure of the Dior Caf&eacute; in Malaysia sheds light on his collaborative endeavour with the fashion powerhouse.

Following its success&nbsp; in 2021, the popular Dior Caf&eacute; concept makes a comeback with an exquisite dining affair at Desaru Coast as part of the ongoing Dioriviera pop-up. Situated within Ember Beach Club at One&amp;Only Desaru Coast, the beachside venue, which has been transformed for the&nbsp; Dior takeover, provides guests with an opportunity to indulge in culinary delights while exploring the latest capsule collection. Taking charge of the Dior Caf&eacute; kitchen is the one and only Chef Raymond Tham of Beta KL and Skillet. As the curator of the Dior Caf&eacute; menu two years ago, Tham's collaboration with the esteemed French fashion house again this year makes it an even more&nbsp; esteemed honour for the chef.
During our second day at the Dioriviera pop-up, we had a chance to catch up with Chef Raymond Tham. He spilt all the juicy details about the must-try dishes, how the collaboration came together, the songs that fuelled his creativity, and everything in between.

The launch party last night was incredible! So, I'm curious, what time did you manage to roll out of bed this morning?
About seven-something. Today we&rsquo;re expecting 300-plus guests to turn up, so I got to get myself ready.

That&rsquo;s a huge number. How are you feeling?
I think it should be okay. I will tell you by the end of tonight.

Have you ever catered to such a large number of guests before?
Rarely, especially for this kind of dining setting. However, we&rsquo;ve had this kind of experience during the previous Dior Caf&eacute; in Kuala Lumpur, and we&rsquo;re excited to be working with the House of Dior again and going through another challenge with them.

That certainly speaks volumes about the demand for your culinary creations out there. People are clearly eager to savour your dishes. How do you feel to be working closely with the Maison for the second time?
Thank you, I really appreciate that. I've been aware of the much-anticipated return of Dior Caf&eacute; in Malaysia for quite some time, but it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I finally found out the exact location. They kept it under wraps and only hinted at the challenge it would present and that the caf&eacute; is going to be at the beachside.

How did you react when you finally laid eyes on the fully set up Dioriviera pop-up and Dior Caf&eacute;?
When I visited this place last week, everything was still a work in progress, but I had a strong vision that it would turn out to be something spectacular. When I returned later in the week, I was completely blown away by the remarkable transformation that had taken place. This venue is absolutely stunning. I must say, I'm truly impressed by the attention to detail and the craftsmanship evident in every corner. Take, for example, the sandcastle right in front of us. It's actually made entirely of real sand, which they sourced to perfectly match the sand on the beach. It's an incredible display of artistry.

How did the concept of the curated menu come about?
This year's Dior Caf&eacute; presents a menu that merges the essence of French cuisine with the vibrant flavours of Malaysia. We've managed to find a harmonious balance between Maison's chic and sophisticated French DNA and the unique, lively tastes of our local culinary scene. It's important to give Malaysian flavours their deserved international recognition, as our local delicacies have so much to offer. Additionally, I draw inspiration from Maria Grazia's artistic creations for Dior. While I may not be particularly fashion-oriented, I deeply admire the artistry she brings to the House and her ability to stay true to her roots while providing strong leadership. Therefore, the menu also pays homage to Maria Grazia Chiuri's Italian heritage, adding another layer of culinary influence.

When it comes to teamwork, what has it been like to have your team journey from Kuala Lumpur to the Desaru Coast to collaborate on the Dior Caf&eacute; alongside you?
It's truly captivating to have my team here, working alongside me in this setting. It's not only a new experience for me, but also for them, and it's fantastic to witness their exceptional adaptability to a different concept. Additionally, we have the unique opportunity to gather fresh vegetables directly from the on-site garden, which is a rarity back in our place in Kuala Lumpur.

Out of curiosity, what song is currently on loop on your Spotify?
Oh, there's this awesome song I randomly came across on Spotify shuffle. It's called Blessings by Hollow Coves. It's all about being thankful and appreciative. I really dig the music and the meaningful message it carries. Right now, I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities I have and the amazing love and support from the people I cherish.

Visit <a href="https://www.dior.com/en_my/fashion/news-savoir-faire/folder-news-and-events/ember-beach-club-dioriviera-pop-up-store">www.dior.com</a> for more information and reservation at Dior Caf&eacute;.

Inside Dior Café, Ember Beach Club with Chef Raymond Tham

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