The Datai Langkawi has unveiled the latest exemplary line-up of The Chef Series 2026: The Art of the Distinctive, its signature celebration of global gastronomy set against the lush backdrop of Langkawi’s ancient rainforest. Continuing the tradition of showcasing the world’s finest culinary talent, the series will feature Michelin-starred chefs from across Europe, including Chef Alain Roux from The Waterside Inn and Seamus Sam from Evelyn’s Table, both from the United Kingdom, and culminating in an exclusive appearance by renowned chef and television personality Monica Galetti.
The Chef Series has become a defining part of The Datai Langkawi’s calendar of signature events, reinforcing the resort’s position as a leading global destination for gastronomy. Past editions have played host to some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs, including Angela Hartnett, OBE; Douce Steiner; the late Michel Roux, OBE; Tom Aikens, and many more. The 2026 programme builds on this legacy, offering guests intimate, one-of-a-kind dining experiences, bringing world-class cuisine to life through the vibrant flavours of ingredients primarily sourced from the resort’s own zero-waste Permaculture Garden and Langkawi’s natural bounty.
The Line-Up of The Chef Series 2026: The Art of The Distinctive are:
- 13 to 17 January 2026: Alain Roux, The Waterside Inn, United Kingdom (Three Michelin Stars
- 27 to 28 February 2026: Seamus Sam, Evelyn’s Table, United Kingdom (One Michelin Star)
- 2 and 4 April 2026 (Easter Week): Mathew Leong, Norway (Asia’s No.1 in Bocuse d’Or 2025)
- 19 to 20 June 2026: Wong Chin Hua, Restaurant Shu KL, Malaysia (Michelin Guide Young Chef 2026)
- 7 to 8 August 2026: Douce Steiner, Hotel Restaurant Hirschen, Germany (Two Michelin Stars)
- 6 to 7 November 2026: Monica Galetti, celebrated chef and UK television personality
Speaking about the 2026 edition, Stephane Duvacher, General Manager of The Datai Langkawi, shares: “The Chef Series 2026: The Art of The Distinctive reflects our commitment to bringing extraordinary culinary talent to Langkawi, while also recognising that true influence goes beyond Michelin accolades. From the legendary Alain Roux to the innovative Mathew Leong and the refined Douce Steiner, and now with the unique presence of Monica Galetti, each guest chef offers something entirely distinctive. These experiences are not just about dining – they are cultural journeys, shaped by sustainability, creativity, and the natural magic of Langkawi.”
Chef Alain Roux, the celebrated custodian of Britain’s most enduring three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Waterside Inn, will be at The Datai Langkawi for an unforgettable five-day culinary residency. The son of the legendary Michel Roux, OBE, Alain continues the legacy of the Roux dynasty with his refined French classic cuisine and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The longevity and quality of the Roux family restaurants and the outstanding work and profile of The Roux Scholarship have helped put Great Britain on the culinary map. Under his leadership, The Waterside Inn has maintained its prestigious three Michelin stars since 1985, a remarkable achievement exceeded by only two other restaurants, both in France.
His residency will include:
- 13 and 14 January 2026: Degustation Dinners at The Dining Room
- 15 January 2026: Sunset Cruise with Canapés aboard Gadis Pulau Catamaran
- 16 and 17 January 2026: Alfresco Beachside Dining at The Beach Club
Head chef at Evelyn's Table in London, Chef Seamus Sam has rapidly made a name for himself in the culinary world with his exceptional skills and innovative approach to cuisine. His leadership at Evelyn's Table, an intimate 12-seater counter dining experience from Studio Paskin, showcases a remarkable blend of creativity and precision, drawing on his rich background in some of the UK's most esteemed dining establishments.
Sam started his culinary journey working for Tom Aikens at his flagship restaurant Elystan Street in 2012, then worked at two Michelin-starred restaurants, The Clove Club and Restaurant Story, before returning to Michelin-starred Muse by Tom Aikens as head chef in 2019. His culinary influences include the rich, multicultural environment of London and his Malaysian heritage – grounded in memories of his grandmother’s café in Johor – and the meticulous techniques of the renowned chefs he trained under.
Based in Stavanger, Norway, Mathew Leong is a celebrated Singaporean chef who ranked first in Asia and sixth in the world at this year’s Bocuse d’Or Final – the biennial world chef championship in France widely regarded as the ‘culinary Olympics’ and the world’s most prestigious culinary competition. The result marked the highest placement for Asia since 2015 and for Singapore since 1989.
Rooted in modern Nordic flavours and enriched by his Asian heritage, his cuisine draws on the finest ingredients sourced from nature around the world, creating a distinctive harmony of flavours that is uniquely his own.
In 2023, he made history as the first and only Singaporean featured on Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe in the Arts and Culture category since the list’s inception, and in 2025, he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 All-Star Alumni list.
Wong Chin Hua, chef-patron of Restaurant Shu KL, is one of Malaysia’s most compelling new culinary voices. Awarded Young Chef by the Michelin Guide 2026, he is celebrated for his thoughtful exploration of heritage Chinese diaspora cuisine through a modern, technique-driven lens. Born in Singapore and raised in a Malaysian Chinese family, Wong began his culinary journey in 2013 at a Singapore restaurant founded by alumni of The Fat Duck’s R&D team. From there, he trained under influential chefs and at notable restaurants across Asia – from Singapore to Bangkok and Shenzhen – before the pandemic ultimately brought him back to Malaysia.
The idea for Restaurant Shu was sparked during his time in Shenzhen, where a moment of curiosity led him to question how the same foundational dish could evolve so distinctly across China, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. At Shu, Wong’s culinary ethos is anchored in purpose and storytelling: every component exists for a reason, and every dish poses a question about heritage. This sense of intentionality extends beyond the plate and into the overall dining experience.
Returning to the The Datai Langkawi for a revered second residency is Germany’s only two-starred female chef, Chef Douce Steiner, owner of hotel and restaurant Hirschen in the small town Sulzburg. Rooted in 500 years of culinary traditions and run by the Steiner family for over forty years, Hirschen’s philosophy is to offer an unforgettable experience and an awakening of the senses, focussing on traditional French cuisine and celebrating vegetables, fish and meat by selecting the very best produce.
After learning the ropes as a chef in her fathers' business, she trained with renowned and highly decorated chefs including Georges Blanc, Fritz Schilling and Harald Wohlfahrt. During her time at Wohlfahrt's Schwarzwaldstube restaurant in Baiersbronn, she met her husband, Udo Weiler, and together returned to the family business in Sulzburg in 1998, joining Steiner's father in the kitchen at Hirschen, which had been awarded two Michelin stars in 1995. Steiner took over from her father in 2008, regaining both Michelin stars in 2012. Most recently, Feinschmecker magazine named Steiner as ‘Female Chef of the Year’, strengthening her acclaimed culinary excellence.
The Datai Langkawi welcomes Monica Galetti, beloved culinary television figure and one of the most renowned female chefs in London, to share her expertise and years of experience. Best known for her long-standing role as a judge on culinary and hospitality shows, Galetti’s appearance offers guests a rare opportunity to experience her creativity in an intimate setting away from the spotlight. She is also the author of three books: Monica’s Kitchen, The Skills and Monica at Home.
Born in Samoa, Galetti developed an early interest in food before moving to New Zealand, where she trained as a chef. She moved to Britain in 1999 to work alongside Chef Michel Roux Jr at two Michelin starred Le Gavroche where she was classically trained and introduced to fine dining kitchens. Working alongside a highly regarded team, Galetti honed her skills and experience which would eventually serve as foundations for the opening of her former restaurant Mere.
The exclusive culinary events of The Chef Series 2026 will take place at the resort’s The Dining Room, surrounded by the dramatic ambiance of the ancient rainforest, and offer opportunities for guests to meet and interact with the chefs, as well as savouring their world-class cuisine.
Building upon the legacy of previous editions, The Gold List edition of The Chef Series further affirms The Datai Langkawi’s position as a leading destination for gastronomic excellence. Guests were being treated to immersive, one-of-a-kind dining events hosted in the heart of the resort’s lush rainforest setting, with the visiting Michelin-starred chefs curating menus that reflect their signature style while incorporating seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, many from the resort’s own zero-waste Permaculture Garden.
The full line-up of The Chef Series 2025 – The Gold List comprises:
- January 2025: Ana Roš of Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia (three Michelin Stars and one Michelin Green Star*)
- March 2025: Jordi Artal of Cinc Sentits, Barcelona, Spain (two Michelin Stars)
- April 2025: Jan Hartwig of JAN, Munich, Germany (three Michelin Stars)
- June 2025: Kim Hock of Au Jardin, Penang, Malaysia (one Michelin Star)
- July 2025: Gert De Mangeleer of Hertog Jan at Botanic, Belgium (two Michelin Stars)
- December 2025: Thibaut Gamba of Logis De La Cadène, France (one Michelin Star)
- January 2026: Alain Roux of The Waterside Inn, United Kingdom (three Michelin Stars)
In the quest to provide exceptional and peerless experiences for our guests, the 2024 edition of The Chef Series presented a curated selection of critically acclaimed chefs who have made a unique contribution to the world of gastronomy. The stellar line-up of names in this edition further reinforces the reputation of The Datai Langkawi as a destination for world-class gastronomy and encompasses some of the leading talents in fine dining. By curating an all-female line-up, the Chef-fe Series (from the French term for female chefs) aimed to spotlight the growing representation of female chefs in an industry traditionally dominated by men. With nine Michelin Stars, this edition again reflected the phenomenal calibre of talent visiting The Datai Langkawi to host exclusive dining events for the resort’s guests.
The names featured in The Chef-fe Series 2024-2025 are:
- February 2024: Douce Steiner of Hirschen, Sulzburg, Germany (two Michelin stars)
- April 2024: Melba Nunis, Kristang cuisine specialist, Malacca, Malaysia
- June 2024: Florence Dalia of 16 by Flo, Taipei, Taiwan
- August 2024: Cristina Bowerman of Glass Hostaria, Rome, Italy (one Michelin star)
- October 2024: Angela Hartnett of Murano, London, United Kingdom (one Michelin star)
Lisa Goodwin-Allen of Northcote, Lancashire, United Kingdom (one Michelin star)
Nieves Barragán Mohacho of Sabor, London, United Kingdom (one Michelin star)
- January 2025: Ana Roš of Hiša Franko, Kobarid, Slovenia (three Michelin Stars and one Michelin Green Star*)
*The Green Star award was introduced in 2021 to highlight restaurants at the forefront of the industry regarding their sustainable practices. These establishments offer dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.
In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of The Datai Langkawi in 2023, The Chef Series represented a compendium of fine dining, encompassing different cuisines, cultures, and styles: haute cuisine from France, contemporary Indian from Singapore, modern eclectic from the UK, new wave cuisine from Malaysia and classic European from the Netherlands. Each chef offered specially crafted menus featuring organic produce cultivated in The Datai Langkawi’s zero-waste Permaculture Garden, illustrating a shared passion for utilising high quality locally sourced and seasonal ingredients.
The five chefs who took residence at The Datai Langkawi over the course of 2023 were:
- 21, 27 and 28 December 2022: Tom Aikens from Muse, London, UK (one Michelin star)
- 3, 4 and 5 February 2023: Arnaud Faye from La Chèvre d’Or, Èze, France (two Michelin stars)
- 28 and 29 April 2023: Darren Teoh from Dewakan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (two Michelin stars)
- 23 and 24 June 2023: Mano Thevar from Thevar, Singapore (two Michelin stars)
- 13 and 14 December 2023: Michel and Sébastien Bras from Bras (two Michelin stars) and Le Suquet (three Michelin stars), Laguiole, France
The Datai Langkawi celebrated the Malaysian fine dining scene in 2022, with a programme featuring six local and international Chefs with restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, representing the acclaimed and the vanguard in the multi-ethnic country. This distinguished selection not only reflects the diversity of cuisines and cultures so alluringly characteristic of Malaysia, but also incorporates more recent gastronomic and cultural influences from abroad, with culinary styles spanning traditional, modern and new wave Malaysian, as well as creative takes on international cuisine.
The six Chefs who hosted exclusive dining events at The Datai Langkawi over the course of 2022 were:
- 6 and 7 January 2022: Johnson Wong from Gēn in Penang
- 25 and 26 February 2022: Masaki Arakawa from Sushi Azabu in Kuala Lumpur
- 22 and 23 April 2022: Azli Ahmad from OpenHouse in Kuala Lumpur
- 17 and 18 June 2022: Raymond Tham from Beta and Skillet in Kuala Lumpur
- 18 and 19 August 2022: Masashi Horiuchi from Entier in Kuala Lumpur
- 6 and 7 October 2022: Lee Zhe Xi and Soh Yong Zhi from Eat and Cook in Kuala Lumpur