MIGF - no, this is not a bad word :o)

Sometimes i ask myself, why is it i love living in Malaysia. Is it the weather ? The people ? The vibrance ? Well.. at the end of the day, i have to admit that malaysian food plays a huge role in making Malaysia inviting.

Ever since i started working, i have been a self proclaimed foodie. No week is complete if i don't try something new. In recent years, i have expanded my food hunt to overseas destinations and whenever i travel, good food is always near the top of the list. I will spend hours searching blogs and reading reviews and work these recommended eateries into the itinerary.

MIGF ( Malaysia International Gourmet Festival ) made its debut in 2001 and was started in response to industry cries to breathe life into what was then a very small fine dining scene. The Festival's aims were to increase the size of the local fine dining population and ultimately to make Malaysia an international food tourism destination of choice. Special Festival Menus sold at special prices help to attract a new generation of diners ( although i personally think the prices are still beyond the reach of this "new generation" ) and Festival Awards provide valuable recognition and encourage more people to take up careers in the hospitality sector.

18 days into the festival, i have sampled the Festival menus in 5 of the participating restaurants ( Kebab & Quarma, Zing, Westlake, Senses and Restaurant 39 ). Some elaboration on the latter two :

Senses - Hilton Sentral

I particularly enjoyed the Table Smoked Tasmanian ocean trout and was fascinated by the "smoke" which came out of the wine glass when the waiter lifted the glass. Is it carbon dioxide ? Drats.. i should have asked the waiter when i had the opportunity.

I was also wide eyed when the "Game Consomme with truffle noodle" was served. The waiter brings out a bowl of thick brown soup.. and he holds a cylinder tube and squirts out some sort of paste. When the paste gets heated up by the hot soup, it magically turns into noodles. Clever huh ?

The chef was generous with the amount of truffle on the organic Bintje potato although in my opinion, the truffle was baked a little bit too long and thus over-burnt. Is truffle mushroom heaty ? My throat felt sore after munching on the truffles and i am still feeling the effects at the moment of typing this blog entry :o(

Clockwise from top left :

1 & 2) Table Smoked Tasmanian ocean trout, Nordic deep sea shrimp with sour cream and chives

3) Organic Bintje Potato and Truffle

4) Tokaji Souffle

5) Heirloom tomato on organic durum toast, marinated mackerel, smoked olive oil

6) Organic Bintje Potato with Truffle Centre

Restaurant 39 - PNB Darby Park

The view from this restaurant is amazing. So amazing that the food, ambience and entertainment is secondary.

I enjoyed the sweet, smooth and melodius voice of Ann and her keyboardist. So much so that we decided to take our time to enjoy the food instead of heading of to Redbox for a karaoke session.

Restaurant 39, to my knowledge, is the only restaurant serving gourmet Malay food. Chef Ashar cleverly amalgates local cuisine with the style and flair of Western dishes. And by incorporating small portions and elegant presentations, his fushion style is unique.

Clockwise from top left :

1)Chilled coconut juice Gazpacho

2)Cinnamon Chicken Consomme with Potato Scallion Patty

3) Asian Pennywort Salad with Poached Lobster

4) Grilled Marinated Spring Chicken, Nasi Ulam, Chili Solok, Percik Sauce and Fine Beans

5) Amazing view of KLCC and KL Tower

6) Background : Deep fried Chempedak

18 November 2008 - Khadijah Ibrahim : The Pearl Anniversary Concerts

Wow... 30 years in the industry. Khaty is a star.

I kept my expectations low as i have previously been dissappointed with stars past their prime. Whitney Houston for example performed with lacklustre spirit at Kiara Equestrian Park and could not hit the high notes. In Genting Highlands Arena of the Stars, Connie Francis was not only horizontally endowed beyond recognition, she did not sing with the strong unwavering voice which won her fans during her hey day.

Despite her age ( she will hit the big five oh in less than 2 years ), Khaty had enough stamina to carry the concert into the third hour. She did 2 costume changes whilst the audience was entertained by her musical partners, Dato Ahmad Nawab and Ramli Sarip. I must confess, this is the first time i have heard the latter two perform. Call myself a Malaysian ? I have added "learn more about Malay culture" in my list of Resolutions. Ramli Sarip in particular woke up the audience with his energetic grooves, charismatic presence and booming voice. Khaty jokingly accused him of "stealing the show".

I particularly enjoyed Khaty's rendition of "Ku Pendam Sebuah Duka" which i think is her most popular hit. She was gracious enough to duet the song with one of her backup singers whom in my opinion has the vocal talent to make it big. How's that for confidence ?

Well Kathy, i hope you are able to raise enough money as per original target for your Underprivileged Children charity. Congratulations on a successful concert and please entertain us with more hits in years to come.

Is life fair ?

I just received the official letter to inform me of my Appraisal results for financial year 2007/2008. I am quite happy with the results but most of my colleagues are not. One in particular kicked up quite a fuss this morning and went around asking everyone what they got. Gee.. i am definitely lying low until the dust settles.

I am now wondering, should i have received the Appraisal marks i was awarded ? Thanks boss, for being so generous with the marks. And for forgiving me for all the times i did not do as you instructed, and for patiently explaining to me what you want done. You are the best. I must have done something really good in my past life to deserve you :o)

Was it because i worked really hard in the past year ? Or i was just perceived as working hard ?Well, i will definitely not write anything incriminating in this blog.. for fear it be used against me when my colleague files her appeal. I will also have to play down my appraisal if asked, just so my colleagues do not use me as a benchmark when they ask why with all the effort they put in, i still scored higher.

This issue made me think about a conversation i had regarding the results of a "Best Dressed" award at one of the Socialite events held last week. There were many complaints that half the award winners were not deserving. "The Judges are biased". "They only voted for those in their own circle of friends". "Some of the winners did not even dress according to the theme". Well... this goes to show that most of the time, it's who you know and not what you know which makes the difference.

Lesson learnt : I will try to not snub people from now on.. BAD Habit ! BAD Habit ! ( easier said than done though - when one is as naturally hot tempered as myself )

Bucket List..

Hello everyone.. it's been more than a year since i've updated my blog. Well, today is as good a time as any other to get myself in the habit again.

A few months ago, i decided to make a list of the things i want to do before i kick the bucket. Been watching too many episodes of CSI and what have i learnt from it ? Life can be short if you are at the wrong place, at the wrong time.

My bucket list grows with each Travel and Living programme i watch and each magazine i read. With so many things on planet earth to discover, why does one need to fly to the moon ? OK.. now all i need to do is win the lottery so that i am able to finance my adventures.. here it goes :

1) Adventure - Swim with dolphins, shark cage diving, ostrich riding, goto the Amazon, live in an oasis, snorkel with jelly fish in Palau, visit Galapagos Park

2) Architecture and Art - Tour all Gaudi buildings, buy a piece of Dali art, visit Falling waters, visit all Pritzker Prize award locations, stay in an Earth Ship, Stay in a Frank LW house

3) Books - read all the Pulitzer and Booker Prize winner books, read the entire series of No 1 Ladies Detective Agency

4) Character - Learn wisdom, patience, forgiveness, rid alcohol sleep depency

5) Cruises/Trains - Orient express, 7 day Disney Cruise, Cunard and Royal Caribbean Cruise, experience Norwegian Star dining, Radisson Mariner accommodation, Crystal Symphony service, Nantucket Clipper excursions, Seabourn Spirit intimacy, Olympic Voyager speed, Carnival Pride activities

6) Experiences - Observe eccentric New Yorker, Take part in reality show like the Amazing Race and the Apprentice, learn Blackjack counting, ride in a hot air balloon, stay in a Ashram, witness live a South African bridal shower, learn Voodoo, attend a A-List gala dinner, Observe Amish community in Berlin Midwest

7) Fashion - buy the National costume of 88 countries, custom make jewellery which reflects my personality, own 100 handbags ( yes, i have an obsession )

8) Festivals - Pamplona Bull Run in July, Rio Carnivale, Elvis week in Memphis

9) Food - Best of local favourites wherever i travel, 20 3star Michelin restaurants, 20 brands of gourmet chocolate, stinky tofu, conch, fish ice cream, chicken testicles, camel kebab, rooster comb Mate drink in Argentina, barnacles, take a Cordon Bleu course, dine in Celebrity restaurants, eat a plate of matsukaya beef, visit agave farm in Tequila Mexico, dinner at El Bulli

10) General Knowledge - learn oll the capitals of the world, learn about the Arawak, Mayan, Inca and Aztec culture

11) Home - to decorate with prized posessions from travels, built such that it will win international awards for design, high ceiling, fabulous view, serene, woody, functional, ample built in storage, skylight, no clutter, interesting angles, loft, playbarn, hammock

12) Hotels - i want to stay a week in Bvlgari hotel, Banyan, Aman, a castle, Palace, Flight of the Gibbons

13 ) Legacy - I want my own Coat of Arms, create a indisputable Best Food List, Create a famous dish, have a cake named after me, write an award winning poem, have my own specially designed Scottish kilt, build an escalator in Batu Caves, build a monument with a fantastic view e.g. Christ the Redeemer, finance a orphan home, start a trend

14) Local - to climb Batu Caves, visit Tanjong Jara, witness a Thaipusam kavadi march..

15) Music/Dance - Learn Tango in Buenos Aires, samba in Rio; Learn 10 piano classics, learn the proper way to sing

16) Natural Wonders - Fiji Volcano eruption

17) Nature - go on a safari, snorkel where the waters are clear and to see pretty corals

18) People - i want to meet Andrew Zimmern ( from Bizarre Foods fame ), Ferran Adria ( please teach me how to cook one of those melt in the mouth desserts of yours )..

19) Philosophy - The purpose of life is simply the journey

20) Possessions - I want to own a unique watch, sporty car, Dali Painting

21) Transport - I want to ride in a private jet, yatch, motor home, catamaran

22) Travel - Visit a souk in Damascus Syria, Glaciers, South of France, Nazca Peru, Aalsmeer flower auction, 7 wonders of the world nominated sites, World Heritage Sites, Table Mountain, Kimberly diamond mines, Reykjavik Blue Lagoon

23) Work/Skills - Learn to be a dessert chef, party planner, plan specialised tours, original singer of a One Hit Wonder, Producer of a Travel Show