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History of the Blue
Elephant |
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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.
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WHY THE NAME BLUE ELEPHANT |
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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."
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“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.
2008
Opening of The Blue Elephant under the name BLUE ERAWAN in
Jakarta, in collaboration with Saphir Group of Hotels & Resorts
Indonesia.
2005
Opening of The Blue Elephant in Moscow.
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.
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The Blue Elephant
Restaurant
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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. |
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Highlights of Blue
Elephant’s Royal Thai cuisine:
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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. |
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THE BLUE BAR
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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.
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DIRECT FROM THAILAND
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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.
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