Olivier Pauchard has been appointed Food & Beverage Manager at Pimalai Resort & Spa

Pimalai Resort & Spa, the five-star sanctuary on the southern Thai island of Koh Lanta, has announced the appointment of Mr. Olivier Pauchard as its new Food & Beverage Manager, as it continues to raise the bar for dining and social experiences in this idyllic destination.

A French culinary expert and former head chef, Olivier has extensive knowledge of the hospitality industry. Growing up on a farm in the north of France, close to the Belgian border, he was surrounded by fresh produce and learned how to transform raw ingredients into delicious and nutritious dishes. As he grew older, Olivier experimented with cooking techniques and his food became more creative, innovative and adventurous. He knew that a career in the epicurean arts beckoned.

Having graduated with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism from the University of Toulouse, he rose to achieve prestigious head chef roles at leading establishments in Switzerland. Olivier moved to Asia in 2015 to embark on the next exciting phase of his career, and he has never looked back, working at leading hotels and restaurant chains in Vietnam and Thailand, including a spell as Director of F&B for Belgo, the renowned Belgian craft beer company, before joining Pimalai, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).

As F&B Manager at Pimalai, Olivier will oversee the resort's popular restaurants and bars, including Rak Talay, which serves the freshest Andaman seafood by the beach, Seven Seas, a spectacular international fine-dining destination nestled in the hillside overlooking Kantiang Bay, Spice & Rice, the highly authentic Thai restaurant that focuses on local and seasonal produce, and The Banyan Tree Poolside Café, which specialises in light bites and daytime refreshments. These venues are consistently ranked as the top restaurants in Koh Lanta, and among the highest rated in Krabi province on online review sites such as Tripadvisor.

While Pimalai is already a highly sustainable destination and a member of SLH's Considerate Collection, an exclusive community of socially responsible and eco-conscious luxury hotels, Olivier revealed that he will now further enhance the connection between farm and fork.