Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (October 09, 2026) – Building on the success of previous editions, Park Hyatt Saigon is proud to bring back the highly anticipated Passion Week for its fifth edition in Ho Chi Minh City.
Taking place from November 4 to 7, 2026, the event will bring together masters from a diverse range of fields, from gastronomy and mixology to tea, motorsport and magic, alongside Michelin-starred chefs. Through exclusive masterclasses, cocktail experiences featuring two of Asia's leading bartenders, four specially curated lunches and four gala dinners, the week promises a compelling program of culinary artistry, creativity and inspiration. Bringing together an exceptional lineup of international talents, Passion Week 2026 continues Park Hyatt's Masters of Food & Wine tradition, a global series of culinary and beverage experiences hosted at Park Hyatt hotels around the world.
This year's edition brings together:
- Chef Frédéric Lorimier – Virtus (2 Michelin star) – Paris
- Chef Elizondo Hourbeigt Joaquin – Zea (1 Michelin star) – Taipei
- Chef Frédéric Simonin – Frédéric Simonin (1 Michelin star) – Paris
- Chef Tala Bashmi – Fusions by Tala – Bahrain
- Chef Douglas Oberson – Park Hyatt Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City
- Master Machiko Soshin Hoshina – Founder of CHAREN Tranquilitea – Tokyo
- Master Jean-Marc Merlin – GT Racing Veteran – Singapore
- Master Stefan Leyshon – Magician – Barcelona
- Master David Biraud – World Champion Sommelier – Paris
- Master Bruno Gils – Export Sales Director of Petrossian Paris – Paris
- Master Claire Liu – Head Bartender of Hope & Sesame – Guangzhou
- Master Terry Kim – Founder of Alice Cheongdam – Seoul
Culinary Experiences with Celebrity Chefs
Across four days, Passion Week presents four lunches and four gala dinners, with each day helmed by a different celebrity chef. From Latin American flavors crafted in Taipei and French gastronomy from Paris to modern Khaleeji cuisine from Bahrain, each lunch and dinner offers guests a rare opportunity to meet the chefs and discover the stories and philosophies behind their cuisine.
Chef Elizondo Hourbeigt Joaquin – Celebrity Chef – ZEA | One Michelin Star – Taipei
Lunch and dinner on November 4, 2026
Chef Elizondo, Co-founder and Chef of ZEA in Taipei, expresses Latin American flavors through Taiwanese ingredients. Having worked at Michelin-starred Pur’ in Paris and MONO in Hong Kong, he takes a considered approach to contemporary dining. Under his leadership, ZEA has retained its Michelin star for three years running, while he earned One Knife at The Best Chef Awards 2025.
Chef Frédéric Simonin – Celebrity Chef – Frédéric Simonin | One Michelin Star – Paris
Lunch and dinner on November 5, 2026
Chef Simonin, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2019, honed his craft alongside Joël Robuchon in Paris and London. After opening his eponymous restaurant in Paris in 2010, he earned a Michelin star within a year. His cuisine reflects finesse, seasonality, and a deep respect for distinctive ingredients, delivered with understated elegance and generosity.
Chef Tala Bashmi – Celebrity Chef – Fusions by Tala – Bahrain
Lunch and dinner on November 6, 2026
Chef Bashmi, one of the Middle East’s most prominent culinary figures, reinterprets Khaleeji cuisine through a personal lens rooted in Bahraini heritage. At Fusions by Tala, she has put regional flavors on the international stage, earning MENA’s Best Female Chef 2022 and the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs’ Choice Award 2025.
Chef Frédéric Lorimier – Celebrity Chef – Virtus | Two Michelin Stars – Paris
Lunch and dinner on November 7, 2026
Chef Lorimier, Chef-Owner of Virtus in Paris since 2021, has led the restaurant to two Michelin stars, earning acclaim for its modern French cuisine, remarkable sauces, and meticulous technique. Formerly Deputy Chef at Cheval Blanc Saint-Tropez, he draws on seasonality, Mediterranean influences, and signature ingredients to create dishes that are both refined and expressive.
World-Class Master Classes
Beyond the table, Passion Week’s master classes offer intimate encounters with the masters, giving participants firsthand insight into their expertise, from the Japanese tea ceremony and fine pastry to endurance racing, magic, wine and caviar.
Chef Douglas Oberson – Pastry Chef – Ho Chi Minh City
Drawing on his time at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Pastry Chef Oberson shares a philosophy of purity, precision, and elegantly balanced flavors.
Ms. Machiko Soshin Hoshina – Japanese Tea Master – Tokyo
Guided by Machiko Soshin Hoshina, Urasenke tea professor and descendant of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, explore the timeless art of hospitality, harmony, and mindfulness.
Mr. Jean-Marc Merlin – GT Racing Veteran – Singapore
From the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans to victory in the 2017 Blancpain GT Series Asia, discover the discipline, precision, and determination of endurance racing with Jean-Marc Merlin.
Mr. Stefan Leyshon – Magician – Barcelona
Step into a world where mystery meets imagination as the Franco-British magician brings contemporary magic to life.
Mr. David Biraud – Sommelier & World Champion – Paris
Experience wine beyond the glass as David Biraud reveals the craftsmanship, heritage, and passion behind some of the world’s finest vintages.
Mr. Bruno Gils – Export Sales Director | Petrossian Paris – Paris
From the Caspian Sea to Paris, Bruno Gils shares the journey, traditions, and savoir-faire behind one of the most legendary caviar houses.
The Art of Mixology
Rounding out the week, Passion Week 2026 shines a spotlight on Asia’s dynamic cocktail culture, bringing two of the region’s leading bartenders, both from bars ranked on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026, to 2 Lam Son.
Ms. Claire Liu – Head Bartender | Hope & Sesame | #1 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 – Guangzhou
Winner of the 2023 Supernova Cocktail Grand Prix, Claire Liu brings her signature cocktails from Hope & Sesame, named Asia’s Best Bar 2026 and ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars for eight consecutive years.
Mr. Terry Kim – Founder of Alice Cheongdam | #13 Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2026 – Seoul
Founder of Wonder Lab and creator of Alice Cheongdam, Terry Kim showcases South Korean cocktail culture through imaginative storytelling, polished technique and nearly two decades in luxury hospitality.
For further information and ticket sales, please call +84 362 688 260, email passionweek.saiph@hyatt.com or visit https://www.parkhyattsaigonrestaurants.com/passion-week-2026.
