Chef Akkawin "Pun" Pitrachart Takes Over the Kitchen at Brasserie on 3 with Authentic Thai Flavors for Conrad Manila's Legendary Chefs Series

Chef Akkawin"Pun"Pitrachart of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok will be helming the kitchen of Brasserie on 3 for the latest edition of Conrad Manila's popular and long-running Legendary Chefs Series showcasing the colorful and flavorful tapestry of vibrant Thai flavors in a sumptuous buffet spread. Indulge in the rich and diverse flavors from the Land of Smiles for both lunch and dinner from April 12 to 30, 2024 with the wide array of dishes by Chef Pun for a memorable culinary journey this side of the metro. Meanwhile, read on for a virtual bite of Thailand at Brasserie on 3...

The Legendary Chefs Series of Conrad Manila is an innovative concept highlighting both tradition and authenticity with a featured cuisine executed by noted guest chefs from around the world. The featured cuisine by guest chefs sets the buffet concept at Brasserie on 3 apart from the countless buffet dining options focusing on authenticity, masterful execution and variety (for more on the previous editions of the Legendary Chefs Series, see my earlier posts The Legendary Chefs Series Kicks Off with Flavors of Thailand by Chef Juthakorn Suraraksa at Brasserie on 3 in Conrad Manila from June last year and Valerio Pierantonelli Headlines the Legendary Chefs Series at Brasserie on 3 in Conrad Manila This August from late last year). As buffet dining continues to rise in popularity, it becomes even more crucial to achieve relevant differentiation in an increasingly competitive category. The Legendary Chefs Series by Conrad Manila brings that distinctive edge at Brasserie on 3. 

Like the previous editions of the Legendary Chefs Series, Chef Akkawin "Pun" Pitrachart takes you on a flavorful journey with his deeply personal renditions of classic Thai dishes in a mouthwatering buffet spread. This is Thailand as interpreted by Chef Pun drawing inspiration from his childhood memories and honed with years of experience in the industry. Chef Pun is currently the Chef de Cuisine at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok.  

Fabio Berto, General Manager of Conrad Manila shared his thoughts on the latest edition of the Legendary Chefs Series at Brasserie on 3. "We are delighted to welcome Chef Akkawin "Pun" Pitrachart to Brasserie on 3, where he will orchestrate an extraordinary culinary experience for our esteemed guests. This collaboration not only brings the rich and vibrant flavors of Thailand to Manila but also showcases the exceptional talent of Chef Pun from the esteemed Waldorf Astoria Bangkok."

What makes Thai cuisine so unique is its seamless weave of sweet, sour, salty and spicy notes in a contrasting yet balanced blend for that flavorful burst. At the buffet spread of Brasserie on 3, Chef Pun tempts your palate with a refreshing array of starters and salads like the Yam Woon Sen Talai or Thai Glass Noodles with Mixed Seafood...

...the Som Tam Polamai or Thai Spicy Fruit Salad with its soothing heat tempered by the natural sweetness from the medley of fresh fruits...

...and the iconic Yam Sam-O or Thai Pomelo Salad. Each bite drapes the palate with its fresh and clean notes opening it up for heartier flavors on the second round of your buffet dining experience at Brasserie on 3. 

The Larb Salmon presents yet another tasty and delectable option with the rich and buttery sweetness tempered by just a whisper of soothing heat for that delicately balanced finish. The freshness of ingredients deliver all the flavors, and Chef Pun has even more tasty treats at Brasserie on 3. 

Change up your pace as you warm your palate with a hearty bowl of Tom Yum Goong or Spicy Prawn Broth with Thai Aromatic Herbs...

...with its mild spicy finish. You'll find many of the dishes by Chef Pun to be comfortingly familiar alongside some refreshingly new flavor experiences inspired by the flavors from the northern region of Thailand at the extensive buffet spread of Brasserie on 3. 

Like the homemade Sai-Ua or Northern Thai Sausage by Chef Pun. The rich blend or aromatics adds both fragrance and flavor to the sausages revealing yet another layer in the complex tapestry of traditional Thai flavors. 

The sweet and tart chili sauce completes the savory and complex flavors of the Northern Thai Sausage lingering long on the palate. Chef Pun's repertoire of Thai dishes is skewed to the cuisine from the northern region of Thailand, promising new and flavorful discoveries. 

For the mains, one of the must-try dishes by Chef Pun has to be the Braised Beef in Massamun Curry with slabs of fork-tender beef simmered in a rich, thick, creamy and silky smooth curry sauce. The tender beef delivers a savory punch but it's the curry sauce that clearly is the star of the dish. The rich blend of spices combine for contrasting yet balanced notes in an elegant rendition of the Thai staple by Chef Pun. 

The Talae Pad Pong Karee or Stir-Fried Seafood with Curry Powder is another tasty option with the day's fresh catch including scallops, shrimps, fish and squid. The fresh briny sweetness of the succulent seafood comes through followed by the bold flavors of the curry sauce. 

The Pla Tod Rad Sauce Sam Rod or Deep-Fried Sea Bass with Chili Sauce brings contrasting textures and flavors into play...

...with the briny sweetness of the sea bass perfectly complemented by the chili sauce. It's the play on contrasts that makes this dish, masterfully executed by Chef Pun for Brasserie on 3. 

If there's one dish that made a lasting impression, it's the Khao Soy Gai or Northern Yellow Curry Noodles with chicken and topped with crispy fried noodles. The thick yet smooth curry base again makes this dish stand out, laying its creamy richness on the palate. Topped with crispy noods for that contrasting crunch, each sip and bite of the Khao Soy Gai will have you going for another round. 

And don't pass up another bowl of the Tom Yum Goong with its spicy prawn broth, succulent prawns and mushrooms. Again, the richness of the broth along with fresh seafood combine for an excellent rendition of a traditional Thai classic warming the palate like a comforting hug. 

At the Carving Station, you'll find Chef Pun's Thai-Style Roast Beef for the main course. Like butter, the fork-tender slabs of beef with its Thai seasonings and spices is just one of many must-try dishes at the latest edition of the Legendary Chefs Series of Brasserie on 3. Paired with a sharp, sweet and sour sour sauce made with chilies, it's a novel and playfully inventive execution of a western classic with a tasty Thai twist. 

The Pad Pak Ruam or Wok-Fried Assorted Vegetables is the perfect side to a tempting assortment of savory mains at Brasserie on 3. Perfectly cooked with a fresh crunch, the vegetables bring fresh flavors as you explore more of Chef Pun's array of dishes at Brasserie on 3. 

You'll want some extra rice with the Larb Kua or Stir-Fried Minced Pork, Bird's Eye Chili and Northern Peppers to temper the heat. The wide selection of dishes at Brasserie on 3 by Chef Pun provides guests and diners a comprehensive taste of Thailand including dishes from the northern region. The buffet format becomes the perfect platform for memorable culinary journeys with the Legendary Chefs Series by Conrad Manila. 

At the Japanese Station, you'll find some cool maki creations with inventive Thai twists like the Satai Maki with satai chicken, togarashi, mayo and shallots and another with catfish and teriyaki sauce. 

More seafood? No problem. The spread at Brasserie on 3 includes a selection of the day's fresh and finest catch from succulent crabs...

...to large and plump river prawns. You can enjoy the fresh catch as is paired with a variety of Thai-style sauces and come back for seconds.

A legit Thai buffet just isn't complete without Pad Thai, and Chef Pun's version of stir-fried noodles with tamarind and prawns hits all the right notes. 

Completing the savory array of authentic Thai flavors at Brasserie on 3 is the impressive Nuea Yang Jim Jaew or Thai-Style Roasted Beef by Chef Pun. The massive slab of beef with an assortment of roasted vegetables and paired with a Thai-style sauce made with fresh chilies and fish sauce is one more flavorful highlight to add to your list of must-try dishes at Brasserie on 3. 

The savory richness of the beef are perfectly tempered by the sharpness of the sauce for that balanced finish. The pronounced notes of the chilies and fish sauce just cuts through the beef with each big slice and bite. 

And the best part? You can enjoy as much as you want so don't hold back and go with the flow. That's just a sampling of the Thai specialties by Chef Pun offered at Brasserie on 3 with so much more on the spread including Japanese, Indian and comforting Filipino dishes. Cap your buffet dining experience with an equally impressive dessert selection...

...of indulgent Thai-inspired creations like the Kanom Phra Pai or Sticky Rice Balls with a sweet and decadent filling...

...or the Kanom Thong Phlu, crisp fried flour balls draped in sweet syrup...

...and the Khao Neeo Mamuang or Mango Sticky Rice creatively updated with a modern and contemporary presentation by Chef Pun. 

Love Halo-Halo? Then, the Thai-style version by Chef Pun should do the trick with palm syrup and coconut cream instead of milk. The classic iced dessert is the perfect heat-busting indulgence to beat the summer heat and end your buffet feast on a sweet note. 

Tradition and variety come together in the latest edition of the Legendary Chefs Series at Brasserie on 3, consistent with the previous concepts for a refreshingly unique buffet dining experience by the bay. Buffet dining remains a popular option built around value and variety, and Brasserie on 3 takes it a notch higher infusing it with authenticity and tradition. 

Chef Akkawin"Pun"Pitrachart's sumptuous spread of authentic Thai cuisine is available at Brasserie on 3 for the whole month of April starting the 12th for both lunch (11:30 am-2:30 pm) and dinner (6:00 pm-10:00pm). And here's a cool offer. The Thai-inspired buffet by Chef Pun along with the other offerings on the sumptuous spread can be enjoyed with a simplified price scheme at a special discounted rate of P 2,337.50net per person for lunch and P 2,592.50 net per person for dinner daily. That's right, prices for lunch and dinner are the same everyday including weekends. Now that's a buffet deal you just can't pass up. 

The chef-driven Legendary Chefs Series by Conrad Manila at Brasserie on 3 remains one of the metro's distinctive buffet dining options bringing together authenticity, variety and value in an elegant setting by the bay. The long-running concept by Conrad Manila presents all the elements of a buffet, elevating it with the masterful execution of offerings by the featured guest chefs allowing diners a taste of global cuisine. Chef Akkawin"Pun"Pitrachart offers a deeply personal take on authentic Thai flavors alongside its lavish buffet spread for one of the metro's unique buffet dining experiences. Available daily all the way until the end of April, now's your chance to rediscover authentic Thai cuisine with the latest edition of the Legendary Chefs Series at Brasserie on 3, so book your table (see links and contact details below) for a culinary journey to the Land of Smiles...