Seasonal Fruits and Tropical Delights at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

For most travellers, Chiang Mai conjures up images of heritage architecture, where temples and pagodas compete with each for magnificence and prestige. Venture a little further, and the erstwhile Lanna capital is revealed as the centre-point of Thailand’s vast horticultural heartland. “Here, beneath the quiet presence of the mountains, the land is rich and generous - rice fields stretch wide, and trees are heavy with amazing gifts,” shares Alvin Dela Cruz, Executive Chef at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Every season in this tropical wonderland brings with it an array of delicious locally grown goodness - from the mangoes and lychees in the summer, to the pineapples and strawberries in the cooler months.

Seasonal Delights

Chefs looking for inspiration for their dessert carts are blessed to have such a bounty to work with, and Executive Pastry Chef Yanisa Wiangnon has carved out a reputation for creating some outstanding culinary works of art from this rich selection of seasonal fruit. “You can almost taste the terrain with every bite of our local fruits,” she remarks. “From the earthiness of the figs, to the floral fragrance of the longans, there is a depth of flavour that comes from these fertile soils, it’s all there to be savoured.” Factor in the cool mountain air and mineral-rich waters that flow down from the hills, the perfect formula for fantastic tasting produce is right there in every bite.

Building a Community

Yanisa has formed lasting relationships with many local fruit farmers and collaborates with them to source the choicest seasonal fruit for her dessert menus at the resort. From procuring local honey, to strawberries, artisanal cheeses, locally grown cacao, and even blackberries, she is constantly looking to support local enterprise and emphasize sustainability. “A special treat for guests visiting during the winter months, locally grown strawberries from the Sakura Ichigo farm nearby feature prominently on our festive season menus,” she smiles.

Leisurely Afternoons

Showcasing some of her finest creations, Yanisa invites guests to experience the tropical abundance on display during Afternoon Tea. A celebration of the diverse flavours to offer every season, this fabulous tea-time offering allows guests to get a taste of Thailand in precious bite-sized selection of sweet and savoury pastries.  At Michelin recommended Khao by Four Seasons, Yanisa is in her element, concocting up new desserts with every turn of the seasons.

Flavourful Treats

Looking to elevate traditional fare through her recipes, she has crafted some exceptional desserts such as her Khao Mak Cheesecake, an innovation over the local fermented rice-pudding khao mak, with a cheesecake profile and a berry compote, served with lychee sorbet. Always an expression of the tropics, coconuts feature strongly on Yanisa’s menus, with standouts such as the Coconut Cake Maprow, oozing with coconut cream and encased in a white-chocolate shell. Bringing a sophistication to local classics such as the Khao Niew Piak Lumyai, chef laces the rich black-rice pudding with young coconut slivers and serves it with a refreshing coconut sorbet.

Sunday Sweet Sensation

“Fruits come foremost with every meal here in Thailand, and we look forward to the turn of seasons to find the next exotic fruit on offer in the markets,” she smiles. “With oranges, guavas, bananas, dragon fruit, mangosteen and even the durian, there is always something to indulge in when it comes to fresh flavours.” To highlight this abundance, the resort hosts Sweet Sensation, a monthly dessert buffet on select Sundays. Between 2:00 and 5:00 pm a spectacular display of up to 40 dessert specials will be on offer for guests keen to get a taste of their favourite tropical fruits served in a variety of ways. “It is always a season to be merry, and if fruits are your thing, we will make sure you have enough reasons to celebrate at our resort,” grins Yanisa.