Waiting for May Restaurant to Open at ORI9IN Farm in Chiang Mai on 5 December

(30 Nov 2021)  Waiting for May, a new restaurant, will open in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 5 December.

The restaurant is located within ORI9IN farm, a joint venture between Banyan Tree and chef-turned-sustainable farmer of The Boutique Farmers, James Noble.

James is working on the project with his wife, May.

“The farm observes provenance and a zero-waste kitchen,” said James. “Waiting for May serves field-to-fork sustainable dishes. We chose the name because the chefs are waiting for May to select the best fresh produce right from the field, and bring to the kitchen. Everything here centres round permaculture, low-carbon, sustainable farming to produce heart-felt food.”

Waiting for May, a new restaurant, will open in Chiang Mai, Thailand on 5 December.

Meals served at Waiting for May are available for dine-in at the restaurant, or for takeaway for a picnic on the farmland.

An a la carte menu allows guests to create their own picnic hamper, and includes BBQ mala brined duck breast with pumpkin som tam, stuffed chicken wings with Chiang Mai sausage and chilli dip, and Greek salad with fresh figs, farm feta cucumber and grilled lemons.

Takeaway picnics are delivered in a box with a picnic mat, wooden cutlery and paper plates.

In addition to a farm-fresh dining experience, guests can enjoy a full day of fun at the farm overlooking the scenic mountains, which is a 30-minute drive out of Chiang Mai towards Phao.

Highlights include a Maize Maze, and experiencing first-hand the practice behind crop planting and jam factories.

ORI9IN features retained farming with farm rental spaces to grow specific ingredients as well as to test and plant overseas products for over 15 Michelin-star chefs hailing from Thailand’s restaurants and hotels. Championing local procurement and sustainably sourced food, Banyan Tree Group’s hotels in Thailand are also using fresh ingredients produced by the farm.

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 provides complimentary vegetables harvesting to villagers daily.

After 5 December, Waiting for May will be open Friday to Sunday, from 10am to 4pm, with the farm gates closing at 5pm.

See also: Organic Farming and Sustainable Tourism in Thailand - Khun Arrut Navaraj (Video).