The 13th Penang International Salon Gastronomique

With over 800 participants competing in 44 classes of events and more than 1000 entries, this had to be the biggest turn out of the series for Penang International Salon Gastronomique - Battle of the Chefs! In fact this was an increase of 37.5% over the last battle. We received entries from Russian, USA, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Philippine, Singapore, China and many states of Malaysia. 

This year Battle of the Chefs was endorsed by World Association of Chefs Societies as the “Regional Culinary Competition” and our Penang State Government approved “Penang Signature Event”. Thanks to YB Danny Law, Penang State Executive for Tourism Development for the encouragement and support. 

After 3 days of Battle, 24 gold, 112 silvers, 238 bronze and 269 diplomas were given out by the Panel of 38 International Judges coming from USA, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Malaysia. 

In addition we have 35 exhibition booths promoting food ingredients and services with more than 6000 industry players and visitors throng the newly laid ground. Awesome was the word often heard thru out the 3 days. 

For results of the 2011 Winners, please visit: http://www.battleofthechefs.com.my/ 
View Peter Chan's BOTC Summary Report:  http://ge.tt/8abrY15?c

Congratulations to all the Winners!!! 

MLA Team Mandarin Oriental - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, KUALA LUMPUR EMERGES OVERALL CHAMPION AT THE MLA BLACK BOX CULINARY CHALLENGE 2011

Kuala Lumpur, May 2011 – Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur is proud to announce that our culinary team has emerged overall champions at the recent Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) Black Box Culinary Challenge 2011. With 16 teams participating in the bi-annual event, the culinary team at Mandarin Oriental won “Best Overall” as well as “Best Soup Course”. Supplied with only a box of mystery ingredients, the culinary team had only 24 hours to prepare, cook and present a full 4-course menu to be served to 20 guests. 

The MLA Black Box Culinary Challenge is a team-based chef competition showcasing high quality Australian meat products to current and future chefs around the world. For 14 years, the challenge has influenced more than 3,500 young chefs, lifting their awareness and appreciation of Australian beef, sheep meat and goat meat. The competition attracts teams from hotels, restaurants, culinary schools and catering companies. 

The winning team, led by See Lay Na and Zaid Aqeel, comprised of members from both kitchen and service, were required to work with ingredients that were given to them in a black box, comprising of lamb flap, beef brisket, carrots, mushrooms, lettuce, broccoli, cream cheese and strawberry. Out of these ingredients, the team managed to churn out a menu of Broccoli veloute, Slow cooked beef brisket, Lamb variation and Cream cheese bavaroise.

-end-

Black Box Gala Dinner

Wednesday 4 May 2011

Team Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Lamb Variation

Lamb Flap Confit, Mushroom Roulade, Apple Compression

Velouté of Broccoli

Cheddar Chesse Custard, Smoked Cream with Thyme

Slow Cooked 65 C Beef Brisket

Basil Gnocchi, Caramelized Carrots, Demi Glaze

Strawberry

Cream Cheese & Bavarois, Kiwi Compote