A new chapter begins: Evian Chef Ambassador made his debut in Vietnam

On his first visit to Vietnam as an Evian Chef Ambassador, Chef Arnaud Dunand introduced a series of vivid culinary experiences to enthusiastic diners and the local professional chef community through two intimate events full of warm, heartfelt gastronomic dialogues.

Following his inspired collaboration with Chef Phong, Head Chef of The Brix in Ho Chi Minh City in a Four-Hands Dinner that delighted culinary aficionados on November 19th, Chef Arnaud Dunand hosted an exclusive ‘Private Chef Lunch' on November 20th as an Evian Chef Ambassador to forge the brand's connection with the professional chef community in Vietnam.

From its origin as a natural mineral water brand established in the French Alps more than two centuries ago, Evian has become increasingly familiar to fine dining as an icon of elevated gastronomic experiences in Vietnam and all over the world. The meaningful touchpoints crafted by Chef Arnaud during his first visit to Vietnam mark an essential chapter in strengthening the brand’s deep-rooted connection with the fine dining landscape in the country.

A perfect complement to the fine dining

Fine-dining experience today goes beyond exquisite flavors, and lies in the delicate interplay between good food, good wine, and water. Hence, Evian becomes a perfect companion, gently balancing the palate and enhancing a truly refined gastronomic journey. A prime example was the Four-Hands Dinner at The Brix, featuring a richly curated menu that combined the classic French creations from Chef Arnaud Dunand, Head Chef of the Michelin-starred Maison Dunand in Bangkok, with bold, locally inspired interpretations from Chef Phong.

Together, the two chefs started a culinary journey inspired by the warm spirit of a chalet, where technique, emotion, and fire seamlessly merge to create unique, one-of-a-kind expressions on every plate. As the evening began to the gentle melodies of the piano, The Brix transformed into a cozy, romantic setting reminiscent of wooden lodges in the Alps, the birthplace of the mineral water that defines Evian, while each meticulously plated dish arrived, delicately awakening the senses.

As a ceremonial prelude to the fine-dining experience, guests were invited to enjoy each course alongside one of two Evian mineral waters: the pure Evian Still or the elegantly effervescent Evian Sparkling, accompanying them throughout the entire gastronomic journey.

The dinner began with four canapés, a masterful interplay of creations by Chef Arnaud and Chef Phong, setting the stage for the subsequent courses that showcased the pure, exquisite flavors of premium ingredients such as truffles, sea urchin, Hokkaido scallops, Toothfish, A5 Wagyu beef, and Mallard duck.

Every dish was elevated by the skillful hands and creative vision of the two chefs. Each flavor reached new heights when paired with a thoughtfully curated selection of white and red wines from France, Italy, Portugal, and Australia, creating a harmonious symphony of taste when enjoyed alongside Evian mineral water.

Whether still or sparkling, Evian adds a refined dimension to the dining experience, providing hydration throughout the three-hour tasting menu. The Evian Still offers a neutral, delicate palate cleanser that refreshes after each sip of wine or bite of food, while the sparkling variant delivers a unique, invigorating effervescence with its fine bubbles, enhancing the flavors of every dish and awakening the senses with each taste.

More than just a dinner, the Four-Hands Dinner at The Brix was an emotive experience, artfully celebrating the interplay between French technique and Vietnamese local flavors, while subtly affirming Evian mineral water’s familiar presence on the fine-dining table.

Strong bonds with local culinary masters

Beyond a natural mineral water brand in align with fine-dining experiences, Evian is also a trusted partner of some of the world’s most renowned culinary masters, notably Chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier, a celebrated figure known for his extensive expertise and profound passion for French gastronomy.

As the former chef de cuisine at the two-Michelin-starred Le Normandie in Bangkok, chef Arnaud is known for breathing new life into classic French dishes. His signature dishes of omble chevalier with spruce, and caviar with uni and champagne sauce draw inspiration from his native Savoie in the French Alps, where Evian was established centuries ago.

Now, as an ambassador for Evian, chef Arnaud continues to push the boundary of fine cuisine, blending his culinary creations with the finesse of Evian mineral water. He also collaborates with the brand to cultivate a community of chefs, celebrating excellence in haute gastronomy through intimate Private Chef Lunch experiences.

Held on November 20 at The Brix, the Private Chef Lunch led by Chef Arnaud created an intimate and welcoming atmosphere, fostering meaningful connections between Evian and talented chefs who craft exceptional fine-dining experiences every day in Vietnam.

Speaking about Evian Sparkling, the French chef highlighted its very low sodium content and “very thin bubbles,” making it an ideal choice for luxurious dining experiences.

Evian’s Private Chef Lunch fostered an intimate gathering space, bringing together distinguished culinary talents in Vietnam, including Chef Sakal Phoeung of Le Corto and P’Tí (Ho Chi Minh City), Chef Thierry Mounon of La Villa French Restaurant and La Fontaine French Bistrot (Ho Chi Minh City), Chef Francis Thuận of Nephele, and Chef Olivier Corti of Le Comptoir (Da Nang), among others.

Chef Arnaud’s presence at both events was a vivid testament to the growing connection between Evian natural mineral water and fine-dining experience in Vietnam. The events also underscored Evian’s commitment to elevating the country’s culinary landscape, where the brand now is the exclusive partner for international hospitality groups such as Marriott, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants including Ăn Ăn Saigon and Coco Dining. In Vietnam, Annam Group is the exclusive distributor of Evian, the premium natural mineral water, across all channels from wholesale and retail to gastronomy and events. Discover more at annam-group.com.