Banyan Tree Group has formed a joint venture with Thai growers The Boutique Farmers to develop ORI9IN, the first gourmet organic farm and restaurant in Chiangmai.
The farm will officially open to the public this October, with ticketed options for different journeys, including an exploration of a maize maze, and experiencing first-hand the practice behind crop planting and jam factories. Additionally, there will be venues on-site to host weddings and corporate events.
Set on 141ha of land, the farm will feature rental spaces to grow specific ingredients as well as to test and plant overseas products for over 15 Michelin-star chefs from Thailand’s restaurants and hotels.
Families can also rent land, bond over farming and enjoy the harvest of vegetable and fruit salad, delivered to their home weekly. The farm’s community garden grows a variety of vegetables, and provides complimentary vegetables harvesting to villagers daily.
Furthermore, the farm will also feature a zero-waste fine dining experience, with almost all ingredients sourced from the farm itself or from local cooperatives within a 30km radius.
James Noble, chef-proprietor of Boutique Farmers, said: “Luxury is changing. Fine dining is changing. What people want from the new norm is to know where their food is coming from. They care much more about the process than whether there’s a white cloth on the table. This is the future.
“All guests just write their preferences on a white piece of paper, and they love the surprise factor of seeing what I’m able to come up with between that and when I put the dish in front of them. It’s in the moment, yet incredibly considered.”
The farm has created cooperatives in the community and help develop livestock farmers, fishermen and artisans who contribute to the menu from plates, furniture and food.
Noble added: “I really think business as usual needs to change. We should be in business not only for ourselves, but also to protect and improve the health and livelihoods of the local community. In my small way, I also hope to inspire people to rethink the way products are grown and prepared. Our children needs us to do things differently. We need to farm for the future.”
