Malaysian Indulgence at Taj

By Cheranka Mendis

 Bringing the flavours and colours of Malaysia closer to home, Taj Samudra hotel will host food festival and cultural presentation this month during the ‘Malaysian Indulgence’ festivities at Latitude restaurant.

Held in conjunction with Malaysia’s 56th National Day, ‘Malaysian Indulgence’ will take place from 7 to 16 September featuring the country’s unique cuisine and its world popular dance performances.

Hotel’s General Manager Rohit Khosala announcing the food festival on Tuesday noted that the saying ‘all of Asia can be tasted in Malaysia’ will be proven true during the period. The hotel has flown down two Malaysian Chefs Mohd Zahar Bin Yahaya and Khairul Anuar Bin Md Nazir from the Rebak Island Resort in Langkawi, which falls under the Taj group.

“From Nasi Lemak (steamed rice with coconut milk), Sambal Udang Galah, Roti Canai to the Satays, guests can enjoy the very best of Malaysian cuisine while watching spectacular dance acts by six Malaysian dancers who have also been specially flown in for the event.” Among the long list of dishes that will be presented at the food festival are Ayam percik dengan air asam (baked chicken with spices serve with hot and sour dip) and Ayam Perchik (marinated pieces of chicken thigh fillet, barbequed and served with Perchik sauce made from lemongrass, coconut milk, fresh chilli).

The legendary Malaysian Satay which is the signature dish of Malaysia Airlines having recently won the Skytrax ‘Best Signature Dish’ Award for 2012 will also be presented at the festival.

Guests also stand a chance to win fabulous prizes during the period such as a return ticket to Langkawi courtesy of Malaysia Airlines who partners the hotel in the event and a two nights stay with breakfast for two, at the Rebak Island Resort in Malaysia.

Malaysian High Commissioner Azmi Zainudin who will formally launch the event on the 7th noted that the event aims at not only promoting the country’s cuisine and culture but also the country as a tourism destination. With high potential for growth, Malaysia’s tourism sector is the seventh largest contributor to the economy and has welcomed over 50,000 tourists from Sri Lanka in 2011.

“Malaysia is among top tourism destinations in the world and we are keen to promote it in Sri Lanka as well,” he said. Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera