HANDMADE JOURNEY
L E F T : Learning new skills
in the kitchen, those taking
part in the programme have
a chance to pursue a better
way of life
R I G H T : Fresh ingredients
and traditional recipes
are served in the Seedlings
restaurants where guests can
enjoy delicious food, created by
those with a passion for change
FEED THE
WORLD
THROUGH SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
R E S TA U R A N T S A R O U N D T H E
W O R L D , B A N YA N T R E E ’ S
SEEDLINGS PROGRAMME
ENCOURAGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO
MAKE A CAREER IN THE KITCHEN
Food is at the very foundation of
man’s survival so it seems fitting that
a company like Banyan Tree, that
has built its reputation on hospitality,
should nurture communities around the
world by way of cooking.
From Phuket to Mexico, through
the Seedlings restaurants, Banyan Tree
chefs help young people to learn how
to cook, get acquainted with marketing
and balance sheets and take the first
steps to a fulfilling career in hospitality
— with whichever hotel group or
restaurant that may be.
U N D E R T H E B A N YA N T R E E
01/06
2016
The first Seedlings restaurant
opened in Laguna Lang Cô, Vietnam.
To date it has serv ed over 46,000
customers and trained 44 young people.
Focusing on traditional Vietnamese
cuisine, it has gathered rave reviews on
TripAdvisor from visiting guests.
Similarly in Phuket, the Seedlings
restaurant within the Laguna Phuket
Integrated Resort — which officially
opened in 2015 — enjoys a breezy
setting overlooking the golf course
offering a wide range of traditional Thai
temptations, from mouthwateringly
fresh rice spring rolls to a comforting
yellow chicken curry, with warm
undertones of spicy cinnamon. It is
clear that the staff that work here are
passionate about food.
The opening of the latest restaurant
is the culmination of an 18-month
programme of food and beverage skills
training and mentorship programme
involving 23 local young people.
Claire Chiang, co-founder of
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and
chairperson of Banyan Tree Global
Foundation, shared the motivation
behind the Plant a Seed, Change a Life
motto, “Seedlings is a perfect example
of using expertise and global resources
to generate the seeds of growth for
the careers and interests of our local
people. Social enterprises should be
about those with resources helping
those without.’’
This social enterprise eatery
currently targets young adults who are
having difficulties gaining employment,
providing them with vocational training
skills and eventually assisting with
placement at other restaurants, even
outside of the Banyan Tree group.
ANGSANA L AGUNA
PHUKET
With its own lagoon
and set in 600 acres
of parkland, Angsana
Laguna Phuket is the
ideal location, for a family
getaway — just a short
stroll away from the
beach of Bang Tao Bay.
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