For its debut, the organisers partnered with MasterChef finalist Sam, a Thai chef now based in Swindon. He delivered a five-course menu cooked live in front of guests at No4 Studios in Old Town.
Scott said the idea grew from curiosity and local pride.
“I was watching MasterChef, saw Sam cooking Thai food, heard he was from Swindon and thought, I’ve got to find him. As we were setting up Enlightening Escapes to celebrate hidden gems, hidden people and hidden places, this felt like the perfect fit.”
The evening focused on interaction rather than a traditional restaurant format. Guests were encouraged to talk with the chef, ask questions and hear the stories behind each dish.
One starter, a pork skewer, was introduced with a childhood memory from Thailand. Sam described eating it for breakfast on the back of his father’s moped on the way to school, a moment that briefly silenced the room before conversation resumed.
Scott said that emotional connection was key to the experience.
“We are emotionally connected to food, but we are also emotionally connected to story. When you hear where a dish comes from, it changes how you experience it.”
Tickets were priced at £89 per person and sold out. Scott said the value went beyond the plate.
“You’re not just paying for the food. You’re paying for the room, the atmosphere, the wine, the conversation and the chance to talk directly to a chef. Nobody is complaining tonight.”
Among those attending was local business owner Pete from TECC Limited, who came with his son.
“It’s been fantastic. Really good atmosphere and lovely people,” he said.
“From the first course onwards it’s been spot on, and I’ve definitely learned I’ve been cooking Thai red curry wrong all these years,” he added. On whether Old Town needs more events like this, he said: “Yes, 100 per cent. It makes Old Town a destination, not just for shopping, but for food at another level.”
For Sam, the night marked a return to cooking in front of an audience after MasterChef.
“I miss being in the kitchen,” he said.
“When Fiona reached out and asked about doing a pop up, I thought, why not. I wanted to give Swindon people a taste of my Thai food,” he added. He said nerves were high before service but quickly eased. “Now I’m starting to enjoy it and hear the feedback. I would definitely do this again.”
Janet said the event reflected the wider aims of Enlightening Escapes, which she co-founded after spending time in Italy exploring retreat-style experiences. “There’s so much potential in combining food, fun and experience, rather than doing the obvious things,” she said.
“Tonight felt like the right place to start, and Sam has been exceptional,” she added.
Guests Ali and Dominic said the chance to watch the cooking and discuss flavours with others transformed the evening. Dominic said:
“There are little things you experience here that you would never get from a cookbook.”
With another Thai dining event being discussed for October, and longer-term plans including digital skills workshops and food retreats in Italy, organisers say the success of the first night points to strong demand for intimate, story-driven food experiences in Swindon.
