PENANG is not just seen as a street food paradise but a state full of gastronomic innovations and creative cooking as espoused under the Penang Gourmet Fest launched at the newly restored M Social Resort.
Twenty-five chefs and beverage specialists joined hands to come up with a gourmet fest as a run up to next year's glamourous Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign.
Tourism Malaysia northern region director Abdul Hadi Che Man launched it while echoing a call that hotels should complement the rich gastronomic hawker reputation which both Penang and the country has earned among tourists.
The main organisers Peter Lo and veteran hospitality expert S.S. Rajaa under the brand Vacation Expo, invited the 500 specially invited guests to taste the very best of Penang's food - redefined through creativity and craftsmanship.
It also showcased that hotels' chefs and bartenders, not to mention restaurateurs, can also compete with the best in offering tasty cuisine to both the locals and tourists.
Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Tony Goh said that a vibrant food scene can also boost the fortunes of tourism, as the country gears to attract some 35.5 million tourists.
Goh said that more efforts must be held to market the food scene to tourists.
If done well, the gastronomic scene can be a pulling factor to lure tourists over besides the usual fare of attractions, shopping and accommodations.
LO said that the effort is the culmination of passion, perseverance and partnership to celebrate what Penang does best - food.
The participants were Beast & Butterflies (peranakan), Bibik's Kitchen (peranakan), Bombay Kitchen (indian), The Boomers (hainanese), the Bungalow (asian), Deluxcious (western & asian), Elementos (tapas), Firewood (western grill), the Glasshouse (international & local), Glasshouse by Leyla (asian & western), Le Grill @ Bertam Resort (western), Maple Palace (chinese), No 11 @ Angsana Teluk Bahang (western), Platta (asian & western), Shin by Citadines (asian & western), the Yardhouse (western), Wembley Cafe Kitchen (asian & western), Half Acre (taiwanese), Kashmir (indian) and Lumiere (french).
The bars involved were Batu, Biso, Dispensary, No 11A, The Nest Cocktail, Oceano Symphony, Manchu Bar, Beer Lab, Magazine 63, The Reserve, Bombay Bar, Citrus Bar, George Bar, The Social Hub and DSRT Sky Room. - June 6, 2025.
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