Summer is over, and many of us are already craving some winter sun. If the prospect of cold, dark winter days doesn’t exactly appeal, add a trip to the breathtakingly beautiful and romantic archipelago of Langkawi, Malaysia, to your plans.

The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi opened on the island among ancient rainforests in 2017 – but there is nothing rustic about this award-winning hotel. Set in a hidden bay on the southwest coast of Malaysia’s “Jewel of Kedah”, The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi is a five-star resort renowned for its fantastic culinary scene. Overlooking the beaches of the Andaman Sea and flanked by unbroken forest in the shadow of Mount Machinchang, this Langkawi gem provides a magical setting to explore the hyper-regional influences of Malaysia’s beautiful and complex cuisine.

For two days only, from 2-3 October, Abby Lee – chef patron of east London’s award-winning Mambow – will be taking over the hotel’s Langkawi Kitchen restaurant, bringing her modern Malaysian hallmark with a regional twist. Diners can expect a selection of Mambow signatures with a flavoursome nod to the area of Langkawi, including local ingredients and botanicals fresh from the hotel’s Nibong Garden.

The acclaimed chef, celebrated for her regional approach to Malaysian cooking, takes inspiration from the diverse flavours and cuisine of her childhood. Born to Malaysian-Chinese parents with Penang and Sarawak heritage, and growing up in Singapore and London, the preservation of family recipes is evident in her interpretation of traditional dishes within the realm of modern dining.

Expect smouldering sambals on the evening menu, with standout dishes including otak otak prawn toast with pickled bird’s eye chillies and umai Sarawak with Andaman sea bass ceviche, served with starfruit granita. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive afternoon tea created by Lee, comprising a colourful tapestry of delicate sweet and savoury treats inspired by the local ingredients, folklore and legends of Langkawi.

And don’t worry if you can’t make the takeover, as the chef is set to leave a little of her culinary magic at the hotel in the form of the Mambow sando, an expressive twist on the classic club sandwich. Made with chicken tossed in ginger and spring onion with chicken fat chilli sauce, Kewpie mayo and veggies served in a pandan loaf, the Mambow sando will be available until the end of the year and is the perfect poolside pick-me-up.

Discover more at ritzcarlton.com/langkawi