Italian culinary talent brings a fresh perspective to the shores of Krabi, celebrating the distinctive flavours of locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce from Southern Thailand.
Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, the ultra-luxury resort set along the picturesque coastline of Krabi, has announced the appointment of Chef Davide Giacomelli as its new Executive Chef. The appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter in the resort’s culinary journey, bringing fresh dimensions to the dining experience at a destination recognised with Three MICHELIN Keys. Guests are invited to embark on a journey of flavours and textures inspired by the landscapes stretching from mountains to sea.
An Italian chef with extensive international experience, Chef Davide’s passion for gastronomy began at an early age, when he helped out at his father’s restaurant on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy. This early experience sparked a culinary career that has taken him from the mountains of northern Italy to Monaco, France, Russia and Singapore, before bringing him to the stunning coastline of Krabi.
Throughout his career, Chef Davide has worked with some of the world’s leading dining establishments, including the renowned three-MICHELIN-starred Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse in Paris and Le Vistamar at Hôtel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo. He also served as Executive Sous Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace St. Petersburg in Russia.
During his tenure at InterContinental Singapore, Chef Davide further established his culinary identity by launching LUCE by Davide Giacomelli, an Italian restaurant developed around his own concept. The restaurant received the Global Winner title at the 2023 World Luxury Restaurant Awards.
A Refined Culinary Journey Rooted in the Flavours of Krabi
Home to six distinctive restaurants and bars, Phu lay Bay will see Chef Davide bring his international experience and culinary expertise to create a renewed dining direction inspired by the natural beauty and cultural identity of Krabi.
His approach centres on carefully selecting seasonal local ingredients from sustainable sources, ensuring that each dish reflects a strong sense of place. Seafood will play a key role, complemented by fresh vegetables and fruits, aromatic herbs and spices, premium Thai rice, and meat sourced from producers committed to animal welfare.
At Lae Lay, the resort’s intimate fine-dining restaurant offering sweeping views of the sea and sunset, Chef Davide will further develop the culinary concept to create a deeper connection between diners and the destination.
While drawing on sophisticated cooking techniques from around the world, his approach goes beyond simply introducing international culinary styles. Each dish will be thoughtfully crafted to express the spirit of Krabi, the Andaman Sea and the rich cultural heritage of Southern Thailand.
Menus will evolve with the seasons, creating a natural connection between ingredients from the land and sea and the dining experience they inspire.
Reflecting on his culinary philosophy, Chef Davide said, “I have always been inspired by my roots and by the places my career has taken me. I grew up on the shores of Lake Garda, and today I find myself in a place where mountains meet the ocean. At Phulay Bay, I want to express this connection through food, bringing together stories of the land and sea, local ingredients and the culinary traditions of the South with the precision and techniques I have learned and developed throughout my career.”
An Exclusive Culinary Collaboration: From the Alps to the Andaman Sea
To celebrate the beginning of this new culinary chapter, Chef Davide will welcome discerning diners to a special one-night collaboration.
On 20 November 2026, Chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, Chef-owner of Bangkok-based Maison Dunand, which has been awarded one MICHELIN Star for its modern Alpine cuisine, will join Phulay Bay’s new Executive Chef for an exclusive six-course Four-Hands Dinner.
The collaboration will take diners on a journey of contrasting flavours and textures, from the Alpine mountains to the Andaman Sea, bringing the distinctive identities of two destinations to life through an exceptional culinary experience for one special evening.
The dinner is priced at THB 5,600++ per person, with an optional wine pairing available at an additional THB 2,500++ per person.
For reservations, visit https://sevn.ly/xhu1mhkH or call +66 (0) 75 628 111.
For more information and room reservations at Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/phulay-bay.
