Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, the 124-year-old luxury hotel in Vietnam’s capital, will welcome Chef Viki Geunes of the 3-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant Zilte in Belgium for a series of exclusive “four-hands dinners” at Le Beaulieu in April.

Chef Viki, one of Belgium’s most celebrated chefs, is known for his refined technique and innovative, experimental approach to flavors. A self-taught culinary master, he forged his path to the top through dedication and discipline. In 2021, he earned the rare distinction of a third Michelin star, with the Guide praising him as a "fastidiously meticulous chef who delicately plays with each texture and flavor, conjuring up food that is complex and gutsy, yet free of fussy frills."

His restaurant, Zilte, located on the highest floor of the MAS Museum with panoramic views of Antwerp, is one of only two 3-starred establishments in Belgium. Since 2023, it has been a distinguished member of Relais & Châteaux, and in 2024, it joined the prestigious Les Grandes Tables du Monde. Zilte also holds an 18.5/20 rating from Gault & Millau, a renowned French restaurant guide.

At Le Beaulieu, Chef Viki will collaborate with Chef de Cuisine Charles Degrendele, a native of Marseille, France. Chef Charles brings a fresh perspective to modern French cuisine with a culinary background that spans diverse cultures and influences. His dishes epitomize his culinary vision in three words: sustainable, innovative and simple. They showcase the finest produce, pay homage to dedicated suppliers, and present ingredients in an artistic and elegant manner.

Together, the two chefs will craft an exceptional six-course menu, where sophisticated compositions, daring flavors and a masterful play on textures blend seamlessly.

The meals will be served on April 4 and 5, between 6pm and 10pm, and priced at VND 7,000,000++ per person (with an optional VND 2,900,000++ add-on for wine pairing).

The dinners will have limited availability and the hotel highly recommends securing a place early for this exclusive dining opportunity. The collaboration promises a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience, drawing food connoisseurs in the local community and beyond.

For more information on Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi or to make a booking, please call 0243 826 6919, email MetropoleHanoi.LeBeaulieu@sofitel.com or visit www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com/.

About Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, the Hotel Metropole Hanoi has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events and a popular rendezvous for business and leisure travelers such as playwrights, ambassadors and heads of state. The recipient of numerous international awards for its fine service, this legendary landmark has contributed to the richness of local heritage.

The hotel includes 358 rooms that are divided into two wings – the historical Heritage Wing and the neo-classical Opera Wing. There are three legendary suites that are named after famous residents and visitors to the hotel (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham).

The Metropole restaurants and bars are all famous dining venues, each offering a different exotic experience: Le Beaulieu has the best French fare in this corner of the world; Spice Garden offers elevated Vietnamese cuisine with a contemporary twist; angelina is Hanoi’s bespoke bar-lounge-restaurant; La Terrasse brings Parisian-style to the sidewalks of Hanoi; Le Club Bar treats guests to its famous afternoon high tea and cool jazz performances; and, finally, Bamboo Bar brings poolside lounging to the next level.

About Sofitel Legend

A pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel today embodies heartfelt and committed luxury, with a French zest. Alongside its 120 elegant and unique properties, the brand inaugurated in 2009 a collection of emblematic hotels under the Sofitel Legend banner: unrivalled luxury addresses with a legendary heritage and highly personalised service. Each stay is timeless, offering sumptuous surroundings, renowned restaurants and modern comforts for an inspiring luxury experience. Noble, rare and soulful, Sofitel Legend hotels captivate with their architectural beauty, breathtaking views and mesmerizing ambience.

Sofitel Legend now comprises 6 hotels, each more magnificent than the last, set within beautiful and culturally-rich destinations around the world: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xi'an.

Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

In a landmark move, Pret A Manger has introduced its first-ever full-service dine-in store in Pune, redefining its traditional quick-service café experience. Located at Phoenix Mall of the Millennium, the 989-square-foot store is designed to cater to Indian consumers’ evolving dining habits, emphasizing fresh, high-quality food served in a relaxed, sit-down setting.

This strategic expansion comes as part of Pret’s broader India journey, which has seen successful store openings in Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru. By integrating global flavors with local preferences, Pret aims to create a unique dining experience that aligns with India's rich tradition of shared meals.

Bringing a New Dining Experience to India

"India has reimagined Pret in a way we’ve never seen before. The country’s rich tradition of dining together has inspired us to introduce our first full-service concept—one that brings people together over fresh, high-quality food, served at their table," said Pano Christou, CEO, Pret A Manger.

Pune, known for its vibrant food culture and growing base of young professionals, serves as an ideal market for Pret’s innovative dine-in model. With the increasing preference for dining out among young consumers, Pret’s focus on freshly prepared, nutritious meals positions it well to meet the shifting expectations of Indian customers.

Strengthening Its Presence in India

Pret A Manger, founded in London in 1986, operates nearly 700 locations worldwide, spanning the UK, US, Hong Kong, France, Dubai, Switzerland, Belgium, Singapore, Germany, and India.

Its India expansion gained momentum through a strategic partnership with Reliance Brands Limited (RBL), a subsidiary of Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (RRVL). The brand made its India debut in Mumbai in April 2023, with Pune now marking another key milestone in its ambitious growth plans.

With plans to scale further across existing and new cities, Pret A Manger is set to play a significant role in shaping India’s evolving food landscape.

For more details on Pret A Manger’s menu and locations, visit www.pret.com or explore their latest offerings at Phoenix Mall of the Millennium, Pune.

As cricket fever sweeps the nation, Chinese Wok, India’s largest Chinese QSR chain, is hitting it out of the park with an exciting mix of flavor and fan engagement! The brand is celebrating the cricketing season with cricket-themed packaging, digital contests, and an innovative AR experience, ensuring that every match is as thrilling for the taste buds as it is on the field.

Cricket-Themed Packaging & Exciting Digital Engagement

Bringing the spirit of cricket right to customers’ homes, Chinese Wok has introduced special edition packaging featuring vibrant, cricket-inspired designs. This exclusive packaging will be available across delivery and takeaway orders, adding an extra dose of excitement to match-time meals.

On the digital front, Chinese Wok is rolling out interactive contests and giveaways on its Instagram page throughout the season. Fans can participate in these fun challenges to win exclusive prizes, making their match-day experience even more exciting.

AR Magic: An Immersive Dining Experience

Chinese Wok is taking customer engagement to a whole new level with an AR-powered campaign across its outlets. Customers can scan a QR code placed at their table or counter to unlock a high-energy CGI experience, featuring a virtual Chinese Wok chef whipping up dishes in style—right on their phone!

The immersive fun doesn’t stop there! QR codes printed on takeaway and delivery bags also bring this engaging experience to customers at home, making the cricket season even more interactive and entertaining.

A Word from the Founder

Speaking on the campaign, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder & Director of Lenexis Foodworks, shared:

"Cricket brings India together—and so does food! At Chinese Wok, we’re combining match-day excitement with Desi-Chinese favorites to make every bite as thrilling as a last-over win. With cricket-themed experiences and fan engagement initiatives, we’re adding more flavor to celebrations across the country."

About Lenexis Foodworks & Chinese Wok

Lenexis Foodworks is a leading quick-service food company in India, known for its innovative and quality-driven approach. With a strong portfolio of brands, including Chinese Wok, The Momo Co., and Big Bowl, the company has redefined the dining experience across high streets and malls.

Founded in 2015, Chinese Wok is the flagship brand of Lenexis Foodworks and India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. With 225+ outlets across 35+ cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Vadodara, Pune, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hyderabad, the brand continues to expand its footprint.

With its cricket-inspired campaign, Chinese Wok is strengthening its connection with customers, turning every match moment into a flavorful celebration.