Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, the acclaimed fine dining destination, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jaffery Othman as the new Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Othman will oversee the culinary strategy and operations across the resort’s six restaurants and bars, in-villa dining and catering services.

Jaffery Othman brings a wealth of experience from both Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Most recently, he served as the Executive Chef at Crowne Plaza Stratford Upon Avon, with an impressive UK roster extending to such luxury properties and fine dining restaurants as the iconic InterContinental Edinburgh the George and Marco Pierre White’s River Room restaurant at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Meanwhile, over the years his many Malaysian stints ranged from leading the teams at The Westin Desaru Coast Resort and Hilton Kota Kinabalu to contributing his talents at Batang Ai Longhouse Hilton Resort and Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, among others.

Chef Othman’s extensive training in French cuisine and collaborations with top UK chefs like Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and John Benson-Smith have shaped his skills and personal style, while his experience cooking for Queen Elizabeth II and the Malaysian Royal families infuses every dish he creates with a subtle royal touch.

“I am thrilled to be back in Malaysia, a country I feel a strong connection with,” said Chef Othman about his appointment. “I look forward to combining my culinary skills with Anantara’s renowned Thai hospitality to create unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

Chef Othman’s passion for travel has taken him to remarkable destinations across Southeast Asia, Europe and the US. His multilingual abilities and love for playing the guitar add to his vibrant personality. He holds a BA (Hons) in Hospitality Management with Tourism from Manchester Metropolitan University in England and a Brevet De Technicien Hôtellerie (B.T.H.) from Institut International D’Hôtellerie et De Tourisme De Toulouse Midi Pyrénées, France.