Regent Hotels & Resorts is redefining fine dining through two multisensory pop-up experiences called Regent Taste Studio, which fuse culinary craft with contemporary art. Guest chefs are drawn from the brand’s properties, including Regent Phu Quoc, Regent Shanghai on The Bund and Regent Chongqing.
Tom Rowntree, Vice President of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts, explains that each Taste Studio is conceived as a distinct culinary immersion. By pairing chefs with visual and performing artists, the program creates layered narratives where food, sound, light and movement interact. The result is an immersive dining event designed to linger in guests’ memories long after the meal concludes.
Regent Shanghai on the Bund
The Magic of Beauty of Contrast at Regent Shanghai on the Bund brings together four chefs from Shanghai and Chongqing who draw inspiration from the hotel’s stained-glass installations. The pop-up is structured across five thematic chapters, each blending modern dance, experimental music, glassmaking and digital multimedia. Carefully orchestrated lighting and soundscapes guide diners through an otherworldly progression of flavors and visuals, turning each course into a staged, multisensory encounter.
© Regent Phu Quoc
Regent Phu Quoc
The Way of the Sea Taste Studio at Regent Phu Quoc celebrates Vietnamese heritage through a collaboration between the hotel’s culinary team, architectural designer Trung Nghīa and visual artist Mr. Dripping. Presented in seven chapters, the experience uses storytelling and visual narration to contextualize each dish within Vietnam’s coastal culture and artisanal traditions. Elements of set design, texture and color are integrated with the menu to create a cohesive narrative that highlights local ingredients and culinary techniques.
Across both Taste Studios, the emphasis is on dialogue: chefs and artists work together to translate concepts into taste, sight and sound. The format allows for experimentation—pairing traditional cooking practices with contemporary artistic methods—while preserving authenticity and respect for local culture. Guests can expect thoughtfully paced menus, theatrical presentation and sensory cues that deepen the connection between what they see, hear and taste.
These pop-up events exemplify a broader trend in fine dining where experiential storytelling and multisensory design play a central role. By blending hospitality, gastronomy and the arts, Regent Taste Studio aims to elevate dining into an immersive cultural experience that engages all the senses and invites guests to explore new creative intersections.