The Datai Langkawi has unveiled the full line up of The Chef Series 2025: The Gold List, the highly anticipated continuation of its annual culinary celebration. Aptly named The Gold List for its sheer stellar line-up, The Chef Series 2025 celebrates the very best in global culinary talent, offering exclusive world-class dining in the surrounds of the natural beauty of Langkawi to deliver a truly unforgettably experience.
This chapter brings together an exceptional roster of some of the world’s most celebrated Michelin-starred chefs, including Chef Jan Hartwig of JAN, Munich, and Chef Alain Roux from the UK’s The Waterside Inn, with each chef offering exclusive dining experiences that combine their culinary philosophies with the natural bounty of Langkawi.
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 will be 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)
The exclusive culinary events will take place at The Dining Room and The Beach Club, surrounded by the serene ambiance of the ancient rainforest, as well as on the resort’s newest addition, the Gadis Pulau Catamaran. The 54-foot catamaran departs from the pristine shores of Datai Bay to unveil Langkawi’s breathtaking landscapes, complemented with sunset champagne and canapés with a Michelin-starred touch, it offers an unmissable experience.
Stephane Duvacher, General Manager of The Datai Langkawi, shares: "The continuation of The Chef Series 2025 with this incredible line-up reaffirms our ongoing dedication to bringing the finest culinary minds to our rainforest paradise. From the innovative Ana Roš to the legendary Alain Roux, each chef offers something entirely unique. These are not just dining experiences – they are cultural and sensory immersions, grounded in sustainability and inspired by the natural magic of Langkawi, reflecting our shared ethos of environmental stewardship and culinary innovation.”
The Chef Series reflects The Datai Langkawi’s ethos of environmental stewardship and culinary innovation. The resort’s award-winning restaurants and wine cellar continue to receive global acclaim, further establishing the resort as a global gastronomic destination.
Previous editions of The Chef Series have welcomed local and international culinary luminaries, including Angela Hartnett, OBE; Cristina Bowerman; Florence Dalia; Douce Steiner; Nils Henkel; the late Michel Roux, OBE; Tom Aikens; Arnaud Faye; Darren Theo; Mano Thevar; Michel and Sébastien Bras.
*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.
As Chef Patron of Hiša Franko, Roš leads one of the few restaurants worldwide to hold three Michelin Stars and a Michelin Green Star*. In 2017, she was recognised as World's Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. A self-taught cook, Roš channels the seasons, terroir, her character, travels, and femininity into her cuisine.
Hiša Franko has consistently appeared on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list since 2018. In 2024, Roš was awarded 3 knives in The Best Chef Awards and a special award The Best Chef Voted by professionals in 2024 while in 2022 she won The Best Chef Pristine Award for her dedication to using the highest quality local produce in a terroir-focused approach. Roš' influence extends beyond the kitchen. She serves as an ambassador for gastronomic tourism at the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and features on Chef’s Table on Netflix, showcasing her innovative use of ingredients from her remote surroundings. Roš concluded the 2024 Cheffe Series as the final featured cheffe and kicked off The 2025 Gold List edition as its opening highlight.
Jordi Artal is a celebrated chef, renowned for his innovative reimagining of traditional Spanish cuisine. As the visionary behind Cinc Sentits, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, he combines cutting-edge techniques with a profound respect for his heritage, shining a spotlight on the finest seasonal ingredients, presenting dishes in meticulously crafted tasting experiences that delight and engage the senses.
Transitioning from a successful career in Silicon Valley to the culinary arts, Artal brings a distinctive analytical precision to his cooking. At Cinc Sentits, he artfully bridges Catalan culinary traditions with modern flair, creating dishes that honour his roots while pushing the boundaries of creativity. Each plate is designed as a sensory journey, immersing diners in the flavours, textures, and spirit of Catalonia. A champion of sustainable sourcing and authenticity, Artal’s dedication to excellence has earned him widespread acclaim, cementing his reputation as a trailblazer of the Catalan slow food movement.
Jan Hartwig stands as one of Germany’s most celebrated culinary talents. In 2022, he opened the eponymous restaurant JAN in Munich, which made it onto the extended list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants and earned three Michelin stars just six months after opening. Renowned for his precise techniques, attention to detail and artistic presentations, Hartwig’s creations are a harmonious blend of classical mastery and modern innovation, captivating both the palate and the eye.
Before launching his signature restaurant, Hartwig made his mark at Atelier, where his leadership propelled the establishment to international acclaim, earning three Michelin Stars in only three years. At JAN, he elevates fine dining to an art form, combining his passion for premium, local ingredients with a meticulous approach to flavour and texture. His dedication to craftsmanship and creativity has solidified his reputation as an influencing voice in contemporary European cuisine.
Chef Su Kim Hock is a proud representative of Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage, blending traditional flavours with modern sophistication that celebrate local ingredients and sustainable practices. As the visionary behind one-Michelin-starred Au Jardin in Penang – an island south of Langkawi, Kim Hock utilises French cooking techniques with Malaysian produce, celebrating local ingredients and sustainable practices. At Au Jardin, the menu changes monthly and showcases sophisticated European fare with subtle local twists.
Su Kim Hock honed his craft in prestigious kitchens worldwide before returning to his roots to establish Au Jardin as a beacon of modern gastronomy. His menus emphasise sustainability, featuring farm-to-table creations that pay homage to Malaysia’s vibrant culinary traditions while integrating contemporary techniques. Under his leadership, Au Jardin has become a standout in Malaysia’s fine-dining landscape, earning accolades for its innovative and heartfelt approach to cuisine.
One of Belgium’s most celebrated culinary minds, Chef Gert De Mangeleer made global waves with his restaurant Hertog Jan in Bruges, Belgium. Together with his long-term collaborator Joachim Boudens as sommelier, they have become the world’s youngest culinary duo to earn three Michelin stars in the span of just five years. After transitioning from the original Hertog Jan to his Omakase-style concept Hertog Jan at Botanic in Antwerp, Chef De Mangeleer continues to push boundaries by weaving Japanese traditions with dishes that evolve with the seasons, featuring the freshest produce from the on-site gardens, ensuring that every meal offers a new and exciting palate adventure. Immediately after the opening in 2021, the restaurant was awarded 2 Michelin stars and 18/20 in Gault Millau. His participation in The Chef Series 2025 promises a deeply thoughtful and immersive gastronomic journey.
A rising star in the French fine dining scene, Chef Thibaut Gamba leads the Michelin-starred Logis De La Cadène, one of Saint Émilion’s oldest restaurants, part of the prestigious Château Angelus estate. Chef Gamba’s cuisine is inspired by the elegance of French gastronomy, with delicate, subtle dishes that showcase local produce. Having trained under several of the world’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred chefs, including France’s Pierre Gagnaire, Jean-Louis Nomicos, and American culinary icon Thomas Keller, Chef Gamba brings his own distinctive style of cuisine, rooted in elegance, respect for the product and the pleasure of sharing. As part of this year’s The Gold List series, Chef Gamba’s residency promises to be a culinary highlight, with menus paired with exquisite wines from Château Angelus. Adding to the occasion, Hubert de Boüard, owner of Château Angelus, will also be present at the dinner events, making this an unmissable celebration of French gastronomy and fine wine.
In a special extended showcase set to open 2026, 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 Alain's leadership, The Waterside Inn has maintained its prestigious three Michelin stars since 1985, a remarkable achievement shared by only two other restaurants worldwide.
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
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