Media Launch: “Chefs United” Drop in to Dataran Merdeka

Wednesday 16 September Kuala Lumpur was all abuzz as, to the deafening sound of clattering rotor blades, five helicopters landed in quick succession in Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square), the very heart of the Malaysian capital.

Passing office workers, pedestrians and traffic all stopped to see what the impressive display was about. Those close enough to the action at the padang (as Dataran Merdeka is historically known) got even more of a surprise as the helicopters discharged their contents – a multiracial, multinational band of chefs clad in full white regalia! This stunning arrival heralded the spectacular Media launch of the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival.

The final helicopter of the hovering quintet to land, a Dauphin in red livery with the MIGF 2009 logo emblazoned on both sides, carried Festival Organising Chairman Dato’ Steve Day, and Mr Pierre Nardelli, CEO of Festival Event Partner, Eurocopter Malaysia. Waiting to greet them on landing was the Guest of Honour for the occasion, Malaysia’s ever-dynamic Tourism Minister, Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and the Festival’s debonair Royal Patron, YAM Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Ja’afar.

Surrounded by cheering chefs, the Minister cut open a huge loaf of bread, which had been secretly brought in on the lead helicopter, to reveal the MIGF 2009 Festival Preview Magazine. The assembled chefs immediately fired their confetti cannons, showering the dignitaries in colour, as photographer’s flashlights went off from the 50 media organisations who had been eagerly waiting for this very special moment.

The camaraderie of the 24 Festival Master Chefs was there for all to see as they cheered in unison, and put their arms around each other’s shoulders in a show of unity in keeping with this year’s Festival theme of camaraderie, “Chefs United!”

Escorted from the padang to the prestigious Royal Selangor Club, YB Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen later unveiled the logo for “Fabulous Food – One Malaysia!” the country’s new umbrella initiative for promoting food tourism, of which MIGF is one of the key pillar events.

“MIGF is the first food event under our “Fabulous Food – One Malaysia!” programme,” declared Dato’ Sri Dr Ng. “And the government sees it as a vital initiative for attracting high yield tourists and raising standards for our Meetings, Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions business.”

The Minister’s view was echoed by Dato’ Steve: “The country needs both – hawker food and fine dining,” he said animatedly. “Although a good dinner in SS2, Kampung Baru or Gurney Drive is fantastic to take family and friends to, if we cannot offer our overseas visitors fine dining, then Singapore, Bangkok or Hong Kong may appear better options for high yield tourists, convention organisers and even foreign investors. Many seasoned travellers judge a country on the quality and sophistication of its top restaurants. That’s why we must continually raise the bar, and why MIGF is so important.”

Accompanied by the Royal Patron and Organising Chairman, the Minister presented commemorative plaques to each one of the 24 participating chefs in the Festival, before unveiling the “Chefs United!” thematic billboard for MIGF 2009. The formalities ended with a light hearted ‘Review of the Festival Chefs’, where the culinary maestros exhibited one dish each from their Festival Menus – the array of culinary talent on display was truly breathtaking.

“The presentations are fabulous – like works of art!” Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen enthused. “This really does show the world what Malaysia is capable of. No other country can match our fabulous food!”

For more photos of the Media Launch for MIGF 2009, please click here.

For video of the Media Launch for MIGF 2009, please click here.