A MasterChef finalist is set to host an exclusive Thai dining experience at a new private venue in Old Town Swindon.
Swindon-based luxury retreat company Enlightening Escapes will launch its first event next month, focusing on intimate, curated experiences rather than large-scale conferences or workshops.
The company was founded at the end of 2025 by small business professionals Janet Shreeve, Fiona Scott and Lauren Roberts.
Its debut event, The Cuisine Escape: Thai Edition, will take place on Friday 6th February 2026 at No4 Studios, a private hire studio space in the heart of Old Town Swindon.
The evening will be hosted by Sam Kaeokon, who reached the final four of MasterChef in 2025 and has lived in Swindon for more than a decade.
Lauren Roberts, co-founder of Enlightening Escapes, said:
“We are elated to have Sam join us for our first ‘escape’.
“We spoke to him on our podcast and was thrilled when he said he would take part in a private dining experience allowing guests to try his favourite Thai foods.”
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Sam said his passion for cooking began at a young age.
“My love for cooking started when I was young, with my gran teaching me the basics,” he said. “When I first moved to the UK, I missed the bold flavours of Thailand, so I began recreating dishes from home. Over time, it’s become my way to relax, express myself, and share joy with others.”
He said his appearance on MasterChef was not something he expected.
“I honestly applied on a whim. I didn’t expect to even get on the show, let alone get an apron and reach the final four,” he said. “It was an incredible experience and I’ve made some really close friends as a result of it. It really pushed me to my limits and helped me believe in my cooking.”
Guests will be served a five-course menu inspired by Thai flavours and creative fusion dishes, with Sam sharing insights into his food and experiences throughout the evening.
“Thai food is in my DNA,” he said. “It’s a cuisine that balances sweet, sour, salty, and spicy in true harmony. What I love most is how Thai food brings people together. Every dish tells a story of culture and tradition.”
The menu includes Chicken Tom Kha, Thai-style scallops, Moo Ping, Beef Steak Khao Soi and a Thai Tea Panna Cotta, with welcome drinks served on arrival.
Only 15 seats are available, with the event designed to offer a private dining experience in a studio setting rather than a traditional restaurant.
Organisers say the limited capacity is intentional, offering an intimate experience and direct access to a chef whose skills were developed on one of the UK’s best-known television competitions.
For No4 Studios, the event reflects the type of use the Old Town venue is aiming to attract.
The studio has been created as a private, flexible space for curated dinners, birthdays, creative gatherings, brand events and cultural experiences.
The Cuisine Escape: Thai Edition takes place on Friday 6th February 2026 at No4 Studios in Old Town Swindon.
Further information and bookings are available via Enlightening Escapes.
