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  History of the Blue Elephant
 

Blue Elephant was started 26 years ago in 1980, by Khun Nooror Somany Steppe, a Thai living with her Belgian husband Mr. Karl Steppe, in Brussels, where the first Blue Elephant was opened.  With a passion for Thai cooking, Khun Nooror with the support of her husband and other partners quickly established what became one of Europe's leading Asian restaurants.  The renowned Blue Elephant London further established the name, followed by Paris and Copenhagen. Today there are 12 Blue Elephant restaurants serving the best in Royal Thai cuisine throughout Europe, and the Middle East.
 

One of the top Thai cuisine restaurants chains in the world, Blue Elephant is known by food lovers the world over for its authentic Thai taste, its consistently high standards of quality, and its promotion of the best in Thai culture.  A recipient of numerous awards, Blue Elephant has been at the forefront of bringing Royal Thai cuisine and the beauty of Thai culture to people around the world while striving to benefit Thailand and the Thai people.  A vast majority of the Blue Elephant workforce is made up of Thai nationals and all the Blue Elephant restaurants are beautifully decorated in array of authentic Thai handicrafts and artwork.  A large proportion of the food served at the Blue Elephant restaurants is flown in fresh from Bangkok, handled by Blue Elephant Bangkok Co., Ltd., which maintains an active Thai based supply and trading operation.
Blue Elephant, bringing the best that is Thai to the world, while always looking to serve Thailand.

 

The Blue Elephant operates restaurants evoking memories of Royal Thai Cuisine in luxurious ambiance.

With a worldwide reputation for excellence and authenticity, the Blue Elephant aims at playing an unofficial role as an ambassador for Thailand’s gastronomy, culture and traditions. Years of experience and a particular attention to details make the difference.
 

WHY THE NAME BLUE ELEPHANT

Blue: the royal colour of the Thai flag.
Elephant: the national animal of Thailand.

Also: "if you see a blue elephant you will never forget it."

 

OUR PROFILE


“Blue Elephant International Plc”
is a holding company based in the UK,currently operating high-class restaurants, more specifically in Royal Thai Cuisine or refined Indian Cuisine with a difference.

 
2004
Opening of The Blue Elephant in Bahrain, in collaboration with
International Hotels Establishment.


2003
Opening of The Blue Elephant Kuwait in November, in collaboration
with Hilton International.

2002
Opening of The Blue Elephant Cookery School in Bangkok with
a restaurant in August.


2001
Opening new premises of Blue Elephant trade office.

2000
The Blue Elephant opened its outlet in Hilton Malta with the capacity
of 170 seats indoor and 50 seats in the terrace with the view of
the marina.


1999
In collaboration with the Hilton International, Blue Elephant extends
in France with a second restaurant, this time in the Lyon Hilton.


1998
Inspired by the success of the restaurant in Dubai, the Rotana Group opened a new Blue Elephant with 100 seats in their Hotel in Beirut.
Blue Elephant was inaugurated at the “Searock Hotel” in December.


 
1997
Blue Elephant, with the Rotana Group, opened at the “Al-Bustan-Rotana” Hotel in Dubai, followed a few months later by the Blue Elephant New Delhi in the Inter-Continental Hotel.

1996
Our restaurant “La Porte des Indes” with a seating capacity of 300
seating was opened in February.  We specialise in authentic Indian
refined Cuisine and Pondicherry Creole Cuisine. A unique concept
in London.


1995
We acquired 1,000 square meter properties in Marble Arch, London.

1991 
At the Bastille in Paris, we opened our 6th operation with a seating
capacity of 250 covers.


As in London, The Paris “Blue Elephant” is the “Venue Place” for the
Parisian high society and so called the “Place to see and to be seen”.


1990
The Blue Elephant Copenhagen opened at Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel. The restaurant is still considered by the Danes as one of their top 5 restaurants in Denmark.

1986
Blue Elephant extended its operation to London and opened
a restaurant with seating capacity of 250 covers. 


1984
Karel Steppé and his partners established a trade office in Bangkok,
“Blue Elephant Bangkok”. This is in order to be able to import fresh
products directly from Thailand. 

 
The same year they opened an Indian restaurant named “La Porte des Indes” in Brussels. It is still regarded as the most prestigious Indian restaurant in Belgium.


1980
The first restaurant was opened in Brussels under the Name of “L’Eléphant Bleu”. It was and still is a very successful operation.
The main founder of the restaurant, Mr. K. Steppe, is today the Chairman of the company.

 


The Blue Elephant Restaurant

 

Walking into a blue Elephant restaurant dazzles the senses. It is a world of lush plants and trickling fountains. The scent of tropical flowers mingles with the heady aroma of exotic herbs and spices flown in fresh from the Far East.
 
Blue Elephant is a total sensory concept based on the very best of traditional Thai Beauty, charm and courtesy. Superb Royal Thai cuisine sets the standard of dining excellence requiring expertly trained chefs endowed with great patience, The result is a deliciously diverse, colourful
and delicate menu.

Blue Elephant takes restaurant dining to new heights and ensures a most memorable occasion. The restaurant is available for exciting theme parties and complete takeovers
.


Highlights of Blue Elephant’s Royal Thai cuisine:

 

Authenticity
Accomplished Thai chefs prepare dishes with ingredients of the highest quality, flown in fresh directly from Thailand.

Tradition and innovation
Most recipes are centuries old, faithfully handed down through generations. Others are new, creative and unique variations on
traditional themes.

Presentation
Visually stunning dishes artistically presented with carved fruits
and vegetables.


THE BLUE BAR

 

Following an extensive refurbishment and expansion, the Blue Elephant is pleased to announce the completion, and opening of Blue Bar.

Blue Bar’s interior is set upon a visit to old Bangkok. The focal point is the bar itself, a reproduction of the Suphannahong, reserved exclusively for the conveying of Their Majesties the King and Queen. With a figurehead fashioned in the shape of a swan (hongsa) and
an intricately carved and gilded hull, the majestic 12m bar has been carved out of a single trunk of teak.

Master craftsmen laboured for aver 4 month on the bar. The intricate feathers were painstakingly carved the applied with 50,000 sheets of gold leaf and inset with over 3,000 pieces of stained mirrored mosaics, giving a shimmering effect as if it were actually afloat.


DIRECT FROM THAILAND

 

The true authenticity of the Blue Elephant is strengthened by the existence of a trading office in Bangkok.

Established in 1984, this office is responsible for the world wide
distribution of fresh produce from local Thai markets to all our restaurants.
 

The Bangkok office is also responsible for the printing of stationery and the purchasing of personalised furniture china, artifacts, etc, adding a unique dimension to the diversity of the Blue Elephant Group.
 

 
     
     


 
 
 
 

Blue Elephant International Plc
Our passion is to make the Thai restaurant chain Blue Elephant
the gourmet of Thai Cuisine.

Bangkok | London | Paris | Brussels | Copenhagen | Lyon
Dubai | Kuwait | Bahrain | Malta | Beirut | Moscow

Opening Soon: Jakarta | Jeddah | Abu Dhabi

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