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Published on October 31, 2007

 Tomorrow, a "Millionaire Dinner" is being held at Siam Paragon. Organised by Millionaire Magazine for the first time in Southeast Asia, the gala dinner promises to be a gustatory delight.

It is, after all, being catered by two very well-known Italian chefs, each with a popular restaurant in Bangkok - Gianni Favro of Gianni's and Gian-Maria Zanotti of Zanotti's.

"We've been friendly competitors for years," says Favro. "But we like and respect each other."

Together, they've put together quite a dinner, from starters of passion fruit with king prawns, "Fin de Clair" oyster, a soft egg in its shell with salmon Kura roe, a cappuccino of white truffles, a tartar of red tuna with capers and a puff of caramelised foie gras.

The dinner itself begins with a pasta of agnolotti filled with goose liver on a fondue of Castelmagno cheese and shaved fresh porcini mushrooms, followed by a main dish of slow-roasted rack of lamb served on a mousse of celeriac. The meal ends on a high note of Piedmont marron glacé and chocolate mousse with a Madagascar vanilla sauce and petit fours.

This is serious eating. Proceeds from the Bt80,000 for each table of 10 will go to various charities. Although not confirmed at time of writing, HRH Princess Siribha Chudhabhorn is also scheduled to attend.

For Favro and Zanotti, the serious part extends much further than this one dinner. Launched around five months ago is their new company Smart Catering. With fellow chef Andreas Bonifacio on board, Smart maybe a catering service but it's completely different from other catering companies.

"For receptions, we are moving away from the canapé concept," says Favro. In Europe, canapés have already been eliminated.

"Imagine someone trying to hold a glass of wine, a sandwich and a conversation at the same time," he smiles.

Instead, the Smart people have come up with a special tray that will hold that glass and a few tidbits and allow at least one hand free for glad-handing.

"We want people at receptions to feel comfortable," Favro says.

Also eliminated is queuing up at buffet stations. Smart's staff circulates amongst guests with tidbits.

Smart is not only about reception catering, however. Dinners can be catered at residences, with the staff "finishing" dishes on portable induction stoves. At work, Smart offers coffee breaks full of munchies, and at lunchtime, set lunches and gourmet lunch boxes are available.

Smart offers a range of menus to choose from, but Favro, Zanotti and Bonifacio are ready to discuss particular preferences. Prices are mid-range to high, but not as high as hotels, Favro says.

All cooking and preparation is done at the Smart facilities in Sathu Pradit. According to Favro, investment was not as high as it would have been for a restaurant.

"We didn't have to worry about finding a prime location," he smiles.

Equipment, though, is state-of-the-art, from a blast freezer to high-quality stoves.

Receptions, parties and get-togethers have never been so easy or carefree - or so delicious.

Almost all seats have been sold for the "Millionaire Dinner", but if you're interested, you can call Eurasia Entertainment & Events at (02) 530 9134 Call (02) 211 6084-5 or fax (02) 211 6064 to reach Smart Catering.

Laurie Rosenthal

The Nation