Discover Bhutan's hidden delicacy through a variety of gastronomic delights and a choice of matsutake themed activities between August 1st and September 15th 2012 at Uma Paro.

Every year, for a tantalisingly brief season during August and September, the rare matsutake mushroom flourishes in the forests of Bhutan.

This enigmatic, cigar-shaped funghi, which grows under fallen leaves on the forest floor, is coveted in Eastern cooking for its robust alpine flavour, the mushrooom's rarity commanding high market prices.

Between August 1st and September 15th 2012, guests at Uma Paro, Bhutan can feast on a special matsutake lunch or dinner, created exclusively by our executive chef.

Cooked Western or Japanese-style, dishes include stir-fried pepper chicken with soy-marinated matsutake, seared hiramasa kingfish with fennel puree, and apple and frangipani tart with ginger ice-cream and matsutake wafers.

Guests can also experience a matsutake afternoon tea, featuring matsutake and walnut shortbread, matsutake cookies and a refreshing ginger masala and matsutake tea.

Uma Paro is also offering guests already booked on its set-price packages a range of complimentary matsutake-themed activities.

Editors Notes:

About Uma Paro, Bhutan

Uma Paro offers luxury in the heart of the rugged wilderness of Bhutan—a culturally rich, all-Buddhist Himalayan Kingdom. The hotel is located close to Paro, Bhutan's main cultural hub, and is perfectly placed for hiking, mountain
biking, monastery and temple visits with Uma Paro's English-speaking guides. Guests can later restore and indulge in vital holistic therapies at the hotel's COMO Shambhala Retreat, and dine on Asian and Himalayan dishes at the hotel's
Bukhari restaurant..

About The COMO Group and COMO Hotels and Resorts

Headquartered in Singapore, The COMO Group represents Christina Ong's unique vision of contemporary living.
This encompasses the hospitality collection known as COMO Hotels and Resorts, the international luxury fashion retailer Club 21, the award-winning wellness concept COMO Shambhala and the philanthropic COMO Foundation.

Founded by Christina Ong, COMO Hotels and Resorts develops and manages handpicked, and individually curated properties, including The Halkin in London, two Metropolitan hotels in London and Bangkok, Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos, Cocoa Island in the Maldives, and two Uma experience resorts in Bali and Bhutan. It also manages, in partnership with its sister brand in wellness, the COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali. COMO Shambhala is also promotes health, relaxation and learning through its products, services, cuisine, treatments, and spa facilities within each
COMO property.

Accurate and intuitive service, sympathetic and elegant design befitting each location, and outstanding cuisine are hallmarks of the COMO experience. Restaurants within COMO's properties include the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant nahm in London and Bangkok, and the internationally-renowned Nobu restaurant in London.

Urban Hotels: COMO Hotels and Resorts' urban properties include the Halkin in London's Belgravia, and the Metropolitan hotels in London and Bangkok. All three properties feature Michelin-starred chefs and a contemporary aesthetic and exceptional service. The lively Metropolitan hotels also house the world-famous Met Bars.

Island Resorts: COMO's private resorts offer powder-white beaches and some of the world's best diving.  The understated style and laid-back nature of Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos and Cocoa Island in the Maldives belie the exacting service that has become a COMO hallmark.  World-class cuisine and comprehensive wellness treatments and activities at COMO Shambhala Retreats complete COMO's approach to a perfect beach holiday.

Adventure Retreats: The Uma properties in Paro in Bhutan and Ubud in Bali unveil local culture, nature, and religious
and folkloric traditions. Specialist guiding, treks and tours, physical activities and tailor-made programmes ensure memorable insights into some of the world's most unique locations.  Intimate and relaxed, the Uma properties reference local design and cuisine while providing an unmistakeably COMO experience.

Wellness Resorts: COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali is a sanctuary for holistic wellness. Expert staffs are goal-oriented, relevant and realistic in their consultative approach. Each guest's individual needs and ambitions determine the programme of nutrition, exercise, therapies and activities.  Facilities and tropical villa-style accommodation are impeccably appointed.

For more information, visit www.como.bz