Thousands turn out for Phuket Seafood fiesta

PHUKET: Thousands of people turned out yesterday for the Seafood Fair at Rawai Beach to celebrate HM Queen Sirikit’s 79th birthday, also marked as Mother’s Day in Thailand.

The seafood fair also marked the beginning of “Lobster Week” as part of the month-long Phuket Seafood Fiesta being held by the Phuket office of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Charawat Chanaprach, president of Thai Chef Association’s Phuket chapter and the chef at the Peach Hill Resort and Spa in Karon, was impressed by the crowds.

“This is the first time anyone has held this kind of event in Rawai. It’s great. I think there were about 2,000 people here yesterday. The food stalls sold out very quickly,” he said.

Bids for dishes prepared by chefs during cooking demonstrations yesterday brought a happy surprise to the event, Mr Charawat said.

“Yesterday, the Phuket Lobster Thermidor won a bid of 3,500 baht and the Sashimi Phuket Lobster fetched 3,550 baht,” he said.

Lobster is back on the menu today, but with a twist.

“Most dishes to be prepared today are lobsters and fusion seafood, blending European and Thai-style dishes. Like yesterday, I cooked spaghetti with lobster and massaman sauce,” Chef Charawat said.

Tonight, the fair adds an entertainment flavor as well.

While members of the Thai Chef’s Association prepare their dishes, the Phuket Food and Beverage Club will put on a table-setting display and live acts will perform on stage.

From 8pm there will be the Chill on the Beach Acoustic Live Show, followed by the Bartender Show by Phuket Food and Beverage Club at 8:30pm.

Bangkok band Si-Nae-Ha will play live music until 8:50pm, when the lucky draw will be held.

Live entertainment will return to the stage from 9 to 10:30pm, with performances by Bangkok band “4guzzm” as well Ford Sopchai, Au Thanatorn, Dear A Cappella 7 and Tar Mr Team.

— Janpen Upatising