The 2010 Malaysian Food and Culture Festival was launched in a grandiose opening ceremony on 9 November 2010 at The Grand Hotel, Taipei. The Opening Ceremony was attended by approximately 80 persons. Participants include H.E. Siti Relawati Idris, Representative of Brunei Darulssalam Trade and Tourism Office, H.E. Harmen Sembiring, Representative of Indonesian Economic and Trade Office to Taipei, H.E. Wibbon Khusakul, Executive Director of Thailand Trade and Economic Office, H.E. William M. Taipia, Ambassador of the Republic of Nicaragua, Mr. Carlo Aquino, Deputy Representative of Manila Economic and Cultural Office, Mr. Wong Kai Jiun Assistant Trade Representative Singapore Trade Office in Taipei, Malaysians in Taiwan as well as members of the media.
Following a successful cooperation with The Grand Hotel in 2009, this year marked the second time that the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre co-organise the Festival which will be held from 9 to 14 November 2010.
A team of four chefs of the Chef Association of Langkawi, Kedah were specially flown to Taipei for the Festival. The team was led by Chef Ben Lee Wei Beng, Executive Chef of Awana Porto Malai Langkawi and President of the Chef Association of Langkawi. Team members include sous-chef Mr. Mohd Redzual Lim Abdullah of Bella Vista Hotel Langkawi, Mr. Wan Ahmad Faisal Bin Wan Putra of Sheraton Langkawi Beach Resort and Mr. Zulkafli Bin Selamat of Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa. The teams will be contributing their expertise to the Grand Garden Restaurant during lunch and dinner hours from 1100 – 1430 hrs and from 1800 – 2130 hrs respectively.
To ensure a colorful dining experience, a team of 12 dancers of the Petaling Jaya City Council led by Mr. Aznan Hj Hassan will be performing during lunch and dinner hours throughout the promotion period.
Patrons of the 2010 Malaysian Food and Culture Festival stand a chance to take part in a lucky draw at the end of the Festival. This year, exceptional support were given by a number of sponsors. The grand prize sponsored by Tourism Malaysia is a five days group tour package to any destination of choice in Malaysia. There are also two return economy class air tickets for Taipei – Kuala Lumpur – Taipei sector sponsored by Malaysian Airlines. There are also two travel vouchers worth NT$5000 each, a number of accommodation and dining vouchers of The Grand Hotel as well as hampers to be won. MATRADE sponsored three hampers of Malaysian products.
In his speech, Mr. Lim You Rang, Acting President of the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre hopes that through this Festival the locals would have a firsthand experience in understanding the distinctive and unique diversity of cultures, festivals, traditions and customs of Malaysia and encouraged Taiwanese to visit Malaysia.
Coverage by local media can be accessed at:
http://travel.1111.com.tw/NewsDetail.asp?CateCode=9&autono=7124
From the left, Mr. Zulkafli Bin Selamat, Mr. Mohd Redzual Lim Abdullah, Mrs. Lim Peik Wei, Mr. Lim You Rang, Chef Ben Lee and Mr. Wan Ahmad Faisal Bin Wan Putra.
Flanked by chefs, from the left, Mr. Muhammad Nasir Pahmi, Director (Tourism) of MFTC, Mr. Johnson Chiang, President of the Grand Hotel, Mr. Lim You Rang, Acting President of MFTC and Ms. Janet Chou, Marketing Manager of MAS Taipei showcasing Malaysian dishes including Nasi Tomato, satay, roti canai, sotong sumbat bersantan and ulam-ulam.
Mr. Zulkafli bin Selamat and Mr. Mohd Redzual Lim Abdullah performing teh tarik.
Mr. Wan Ahmad Faisal bin Wan Putra preparing roti canai.
1Malaysia fruit carving prepared by the chefs.