Inside The First Dom Pérignon Society Gathering Of Chefs In Southeast Asia
The get-together also marked the unveiling of three new Dom Pérignon vintages.
Founded in 2019, the Dom Pérignon Society brings together more than 130 chefs and sommeliers from around the world, united by a shared connection with the maison’s chef de cave, Vincent Chaperon. Together, they are driven by a passion for creating, discovering, and celebrating exceptional wine and fine dining. From visits to the Abbey of Hautvillers in Champagne, France, to exclusive guest events at their respective restaurants and establishments, the chefs and sommeliers are inspired by the history and legacy of Dom Pérignon to create world-class gastronomical experiences, setting benchmarks in the present and laying foundations for the future.
Recently, the first-ever gathering of Southeast Asia-based members of the Society was held in a Singaporean National Monument. CHIJMES Hall, which dates back to 1841, hosted several Michelin-starred restaurants’ worth of talent during an evening of refinement and camaraderie. All-star chefs, including Sebastien Lepinoy from Les Amis in Singapore, Darren Chin from DC in Kuala Lumpur, Dave Pynt from Burnt Ends in Singapore, and Maurizio Bombini from Mauri in Bali, attended the dinner, as well as invited guests and select members of the media. They were also among the first people in the region to taste three of the latest from Dom Pérignon: Vintage 2017, Vintage 2008 – Plénitude 2, and Rosé Vintage 2010, all of which were unveiled during the event. These were spectacularly paired with chef Natsuko Shoji’s dishes from her critically acclaimed six-seat, one-group-a-day restaurant in Tokyo, été.
The dinner menu prepared by Shoji was themed ‘Harmony’, a concept that has profound meaning to a Japanese chef like her. “Harmony is deeply connected to Japanese cuisine (和食, washoku). My cooking is an expression of respect and appreciation for Japan’s food culture, and the producers who grow and make the ingredients I use,” says the award-winning 37-year-old, who joined the Dom Pérignon Society a year ago. “The dishes I’ve created for the dinner menu are rooted in the relationships I’ve built with these Japanese producers, and it’s important to represent that honestly. This way, I hope that the guests will come to understand me and my cuisine more deeply.”
The night began with an invitation for all guests to refocus and recentre on their palate, appreciation of haute gastronomie, and the vivacity of Dom Pérignon. Each guest stood behind a pedestal that literally shone the spotlight on a canapé and a glass of Vintage 2017, while a pair of headphones hung underneath. As we took our first bites and sips, classical music played via the headphones. Sight, sound, taste, touch, and aromas—the multi-sensorial odyssey couldn’t have begun any better, especially as the multifaceted tactility of Vintage 2017 imparted roundness, vibrancy, and fruity notes on the palate. As guests eventually took their seats, Shoji’s first dish, a stunning Pomelo Blossom accompanied by été’s Brioche and Butter, continued the vivacious journey with Vintage 2017. The textures of caviar, lemon, and grapefruit bursting forth from the floral delight complemented the fragrances of jasmine and petrichor, as well as the wine’s sweetness, straightforward tenacity, and rounded opulence. Meanwhile, the delicate creaminess of the butter highlighted the joyful warmth of the brioche, which planted ideas in my head to enjoy freshly baked bread with Vintage 2017 for breakfast.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008 – Plénitude 2 is the second expression of what many state is one of the greatest vintages ever. The classic champagne has now been reinterpreted to give it even more wonderful complexity, profound depth, and lively length. It radiates elegance onto the nose and palate, and was showcased in all its royal grandeur with the second dish: Layered Abalone with White Asparagus and Sauce Albert. The umami of the abalone, the earthy crunch of the asparagus, and the majesty of the sauce revealed even more of Plénitude 2’s scintillating energy, becoming an exquisite crescendo for the night’s proceedings.
Many around the table, Dom Pérignon Society members included, remarked that they were most excited to try what came next: Rosé Vintage 2010. That it paired the night’s seafood-centric finale dish, Lobster Pie with Zucchini Flower Stuffed with Hairy Crab and Sauce Bisque, was as radical as the wine itself and the boundary-pushing ambition of Dom Pérignon Rosé as a series. As far as climaxes go, this pairing was magnificence made real—and very, very delicious. The lightness of the rosé possessed a subtle presence, as did the delicacy of the lobster flesh. Craftsmanship was on full display with the Zucchini Flower and Rosé Vintage 2010, both amplifying each other’s brilliance with every mouthful. It was a triumphant pairing.
While guests, chefs, and sommeliers delighted in Shoji’s signature Mango Tart—as delectable as it was in the mouth as it was captivating for social media algorithms—old friends caught up on recent developments in the F&B scene, while new friendships were forming. Chin talked shop with Bombini, while Lepinoy held court in front of his fans. Attending a Dom Pérignon Society gathering like this is like being handed all-access keys to watch masters not only at work but also at ease.
“The Dom Pérignon Society is an international community united by a shared passion for creation, excellence, and their relationship with Dom Pérignon. Our vision this evening was to bring together the region’s members for a meaningful moment of exchange and connection. It was about strengthening the emotional connection between our chefs, sommeliers, and the Maison through shared experiences and dialogue,” said Sebastien Vilmot, managing director of Moët Hennessy Southeast Asia. “We hope this gathering sparks new ideas, interpretations, and collaborations across the region. More broadly, it reflects the growing importance of Southeast Asia within the global fine dining landscape and the Dom Pérignon Society community.”
Lead image: Sebastien Vilmot, managing director of Moët Hennessy Southeast Asia
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