In the next instalment of Regent Phu Quoc’s highly-anticipated immersive pop-up dining experience, Taste Studio artfully explores the interplay of contrasts.
PHU QUOC, Vietnam – Regent Phu Quoc’s signature scenographic pop-up culinary experience, Taste Studio, returns to the idyllic five-star resort this November with A Spectrum of Contrasts. Set to captivate with a multi-disciplinary choreographed interplay between flavour, art, dance, music and Vietnamese culture, this unique event is an immersive and evocative journey that transcends the plate for an interactive dining spectacle one will not soon forget.
Throughout the event, a dialogue flows between chefs and artists with paradigms changed and spaces transformed. Exploring the theme of duality through varied artistic expressions, A Spectrum of Contrasts evolves with dramatic interludes designed to evoke contemplation. A musing on humanity’s connectedness to the universe, each act and corresponding course present the rich tapestry of Phu Quoc island, where the essence of duality comes alive. This duality reflects a harmonious balance where opposites coexist and complement each other, shaping the core values and identity of the Vietnamese people throughout history. Through expressions of music, dance, culinary arts and performance, guests are invited to embark on an inspiring sensorial adventure.
As the luxuriously curated evening unfurls, artists conjure a living symphony of opposites: light and dark, mountain and sea, day and night, lightness and density, hot and cold. Balancing colour, ingredients and flavour with the works of performance and visual artists, gastronomic storytellers skillfully evoke a spectrum of contrasts. Each masterful dish by Regent Phu Quoc’s culinary team is a showcase of colour, fragrance and taste that articulates the Vietnamese concept of yin and yang. Flavours are ever heightened by sublime artistic performances, culminating in an evening that places guests at the centre of this extraordinary experience.
The participating artists for this year’s Taste Studio include the multi-disciplinary Paris-based AC3 Studio, US-born choreographer Sabra Johnson, Regent Phu Quoc executive chef Francesco Andreoni and his renowned culinary team; award-winning paper Truc Chi artists and a music trio, Limebócx.
Seating just 32 guests, this exclusive culinary and visual narrative is an ethereal masterpiece that will long be cherished. Running on the 28, 29 and 30 November from 6:00 p.m, the event begins with a welcome cocktail and concludes with a grand finale, where guests enjoy meeting the artists and chefs behind Taste Studio.
A Spectrum of Contrasts is the fourth annual Taste Studio experience by Regent Phu Quoc, a celebrated destination for luxurious, immersive and multi-sensory dining experiences.
THE CREATIVE TEAM: Designers of Emotions A multi-faceted evening of flavour and moving art forms, A Spectrum of Contrasts is a collaboration between the extraordinary talent of these creatives.
AC3 Studio
Visual Artists
Founded in Paris, France, this multi-disciplinary creative technology atelier creates visually arresting works from onscreen designs to real-world sensory moments. Their expansive team of creative and technological experts, AC3 Studio uses scenography, video mapping projections, motion design, kinetic lighting and interactive installations to curate deeply immersive experiences. Their aim is to consistently produce tailor-made and all-encompassing experiences that creatively elevate brands, leaving a lasting visual impression on audiences. Renowned for crafting bespoke experiences for the world’s most prestigious luxury houses, AC3 brings to Taste Studio a poetic lens and refined mastery that redefines spatial storytelling, leaving behind not just an impression, but an imprint.
Sabra Johnson
Choreographer
Sabra Johnson hails from Utah, USA and was the winner of “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 3 at 19 years old. She has since performed with companies and taught around the world; America, Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, Germany, Austria, Korea, and Japan all before landing her in Vietnam where she began to direct and choreograph on collaborative and personal ventures. Sabra is highly influenced by America’s traditional form of entertainment, Jazz and Vaudeville, bringing drama, excitement, and humor to every stage.
Choosing to stay in Vietnam nearly a decade, Sabra immersed herself in the local culture, collaborating with various artists and contributing to the burgeoning contemporary dance scene. She has inspired countless students through her workshops, classes and performances. Her dedication to fostering creativity and her passion for dance have made her a cherished contributor to the Vietnamese arts community, bridging cultures and sharing her love for movement with a new generation of dancers. As a part of Taste Studio, Sabra brings her rich international experience and creative spirit to the stage, promising a performance that celebrates movement as a universal language.
Vietnam Truc Chi Art
Originating from the idea of “gives paper the ability to escape its status as a background to become an independent work of art,” Trúc Chỉ was developed by artist Phan Hải Bằng and his collaborators since 2000, with 2012 marking a milestone when the art form received its first fine arts awards. Together with artist Ngô Đình Bảo Vi, Trúc Chỉ has reached wider audiences through numerous exhibitions in Vietnam and abroad, including in France and Germany, and most recently in 2022 through a collaborative project with artist Dominique Rosseau at the French Institute in Huế.
With its distinctive technique, “trucchigraphy” – a fusion of traditional papermaking, water pressure, and printmaking principles – Trúc Chỉ creates a unique spectrum of tones and luminous effects, celebrating the contrasts of light and shadow, yin and yang. Humble materials such as bamboo, straw, sugarcane, banana, leaves, and grasses are elevated into contemporary beauty, resonating deeply with the emotions of its viewers.
Limebócx, Music Trio
Limebócx is a musical trio from Hanoi, Vietnam that positions itself between tradition and futurism. Blending nostalgic dàn tranh (Viêt zither) riffs, looped vocal harmonies, driving basslines, shimmering guitars and smooth electronic production, this revisioning of Ca Trù awakens a sensitive, soulful side of northern Vietnamese culture. A longing for expressing music in the most natural way.
Limebócx’s way of blending Vietnamese traditional sound into modern music represents freedom and eclecticism and is not set within any specific genre or rules.
Francesco Andreoni
Regent Phu Quoc executive chef Francesco Andreoni and his team of renowned chefs, including executive sous chef Huan Tran, executive pastry chef Duyen Nguyen and Oku chef de cuisine Andy Huynh
Hailing from Milan, Italy, Regent Phu Quoc executive chef Francesco Andreoni has worked in the kitchens of many well-known hotels and high-end restaurants across the world including in Milan, Paris, Chicago, Melbourne and southern Switzerland. With twenty years of experience in cooking and culinary innovation, Chef Francesco strives for excellence and brings his global culinary experience to his unique vision in cooking. He aims to provide joyful dining experiences using high-quality local ingredients and exceptional culinary techniques.
Executive sous chef Huan Tran, originally from central Vietnam, Hue province, Chef Huan aspired to go beyond his own regional cuisine and master the cuisines of distinct regions of Vietnam – the longitude of the nation makes the culture and cuisine truly diverse.
Executive pastry chef Duyen Nguyen grew up in Ninh Binh, a Northern province in Vietnam that’s known for its magical riverine landscape and a UNESCO’s World Heritage site, Chef Duyen is a traditional French pastry cuisine aficionado with a passion for art and colour that he translates in his cuisine.
Oku chef de cuisine Andy Huynh, born in Dak Lak, Vietnam and raised in California, Chef Andy grew up between land and sea, discovering early the value of each ingredient and their cultural meaning. Inspired from modern art to far-flung travels, his creativity shines through dishes rooted in respect for the finest products.
An exclusive package featuring a two-night stay in our Ocean View Suite, complemented by two coveted tickets to Taste Studio, is available in limited numbers.
For further information on Taste Studio 2025, please visit https://phuquoc.regenthotels.com/taste-studio.
About Regent Phu Quoc
Located alongside a UNESCO-designated World Biosphere Reserve on the pristine island of Phu Quoc just off the southwest coast of Vietnam, Regent Phu Quoc is a place of spellbinding discovery and unmatched luxury. Opened in April 2022, the resort offers discerning guests an exquisite and peaceful sanctuary with a collection of luxury suites and villas – most of which are equipped with a private pool - in addition to six world-class dining outlets, a comprehensive spa and wellness facility with globally acclaimed treatment partners, Regent Kids interactive playground and club, and unsurpassed experiences that immerse visitors into Phu Quoc’s stunning Long Beach. The resort’s signature restaurant, Oku, features an Omakase Atelier and Salon de Beouf, serving contemporary Japanese-French cuisine with the finest techniques and ingredients from both worlds.
