An annual event, now into its 10th year, the Gala Launch showcases the fabulous food that will be served up by the 30 top fine dining restaurants taking part in the month long MIGF2010 that runs from 1st to 30th October 2010.
For this glittering Gala Launch occasion, each of the Festival Restaurants created beautifully designed stations to present samples from their Festival Menus for the two thousand VIP guests to savour. The stellar guest list included royalty, over fifty foreign ambassadors, captains of industry, leading corporate personalities and a host of local and international food and tourism writers. Add to the mix showbiz entities, social movers and shakers, fashion and lifestyle pace setters, top hoteliers and restaurant owners – and it is no wonder that the Gala Launch is considered by many to be the main event of the year!
Among the VIPs, celebrity guests and food journalists gathered in their finest was the guest of honour, Deputy Minister for Tourism YB Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit, who took his place by the launching stage in anticipation of the grand opening. As the emcee called the gathered throng to the stage, a hush fell and all eyes were on the stage where a solitary sentry box stood. This year the theme is “Magical Chefs” and as if on cue a ‘magical chef’ appeared. Opening the door of the sentry box, he showed the empty interior. In a display of wizardry, he rotated the box a few times before reopening the door to reveal Festival Organising Chairman YBhg Dato’ Steve Day!
After a short speech, Dato’ Steve accompanied Datuk Dr James to cut through a giant Chef’s Hat which marked the main entrance to the ballroom. With the crowd following and flashlights going off, the pair were greeted by a wall of sound as a Latin band exploded into life, the drum beats resounding around the ballroom as dancers swayed to the infectious rhythms. On the stage, the Festival Chefs joined in the rhythm ‘playing’ pots and pans in unison with the samba beat. Thousands of candles lit up the ballroom which was filled from wall to wall with colourful restaurant stations offering exotic Festival fare – all succulent items from the special Festival Menus that will be served at special Festival Prices by Festival Restaurants throughout the month of October. What a way to start MIGF 2010!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Now an integral part of Tourism Malaysia’s “Fabulous Food 1 Malaysia” strategy, the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival will be held from 1st – 31st October with 30 of the country’s very best restaurants taking part.
Each Festival restaurant will be serving up special Festival menus at extra special Festival prices throughout the month of October. Foodies everywhere can make a date with Festival restaurants to enjoy these once-in-a-year signature menus at competitive prices and at the same time enjoy bulk booking discounts and room night offers amongst other exciting promotions and offers.
The main sponsor for MIGF2010 is Tourism Malaysia supported by Maxis, Canon and Naza Italia. Media Partners are Astro, Lite FM, Asian Food Channel, Vision Four, Vision KL and Seni Jaya. The venue sponsor for the Gala Kaunch is Banjaran HotSprings retreat and for the Garand Finale, Sunway Lagoon.
All details can be found on the Festival website, www.migf.com.
Starting in 2001 to revitalize a sleepy fine dining sector, and past winner of the Pacific Air Travel Association Gold Award for Marketing, MIGF has made hundreds of thousands people in countries throughout the world aware of Malaysia’s fine dining capabilities.
“It's good when the world knows that Malaysia can offer world class international cuisine and fine dining in addition to our relaxed and fabulous hawker fare,“ says Dato’ Steve Day. “The country needs to offer both, especially if we are to attract premium, high yield tourists and delegates for our MICE business.”
THE MIGF 2010
For the uninitiated, MIGF is a month-long food festival that draws visitors from all over the globe to taste and appreciate the international-standard of fine dining that is available in Malaysia. A whole host of top-class restaurants and hotels are involved, and their Master Chefs each create a special menu for the occasion, showcasing their signature dishes and greatest masterpieces to the palates of the world’s gourmands. These one-off menus can be enjoyed with or without specially-paired wines, and all come at special prices to encourage visitors to taste as many of these fantastic foods as they can.
Alongside the Festival Menus, each restaurant and hotel boasts deals on everything from
cigars to bed and breakfast packages, with most offering a special gift on arrival and even a
birthday cake if you celebrate your special day during the Festival!
For those who are truly looking to embrace this month of gastronomy, there are
5day/4night packages including limousine services to and from your Festival meals. These mini breaks can be supplemented with luxury days at the country’s top spas or even a relaxing round of golf.
The Festival offers diners the opportunity to get close and personal with their favourite Festival Master Chefs, and learn their famous kitchen tricks when diners sign up for the Master Chef Cooking Classes. Be on the lookout also for the chance to win fascinating prizes at these restaurants for the duration of the Festival. October is certainly a month to indulge and enjoy!
MIGF2010 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS
The 30 strong restaurant line-up for MIGF2010 is as follows: From Kuala Lumpur’s top 5-star hotels – Hilton KL’s Chynna, Iketeru and Senses; Mandarin Oriental KL’s Lai Po Heen and Mandarin Grill; Shangri-La KL’s Lafite, Shang Palace and Zipangu; Renaissance KL’s Dynasty, Med@Marché-Live and Sagano; Sheraton Imperial KL’s Villa Danieli; Equatorial KL’s Chalet; Grand Millennium KL’s Zing; The Royale Chulan KL’s Bunga Emas and L’Heritage; Holiday Inn Glenmarie KL’s Fu-Rin, The Club at The Saujana KL’s The Restaurant; and the recently opened Doubletree by Hilton KL’s Makan Kitchen. The top ‘stand-alone’ restaurants from Kuala Lumpur participating are – Al-Amar, Celadon, China Treasures; Neo Tamarind, Tamarind Springs; High Tide, Nerovivo; and Vansh. Completing this year’s lineup are, The Olive from Maxims Genting, Seasonal Tastes from The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, and The Pomelo from The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat.
FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Tourism Malaysia is the main sponsor of MIGF2010. The Festival is a pillar of the Ministry of Tourism’s Fabulous Food 1Malaysia strategy and is seen as a vital ingredient in attracting MICE delegates and high yield tourists to the country.
Other Festival Partners this year are: Canon as the ‘Official Imaging Partner’. Canon will be using the Festival to promote their line of digital cameras and their new Wedoo Photobook. Naza Italia is a Festival Sponsor for the first time with Maserati making its debut as the ‘Official Car’. Maserati’s corporate slogan “Excellence through Passion” is a statement that will surely resonate with all the Festival Master Chefs.
Last but not least, Maxis, is the ‘Official Telco Partner’ and their 13 million subscribers will stand a chance to receive discounts at participating MIGF restaurants. Maxis will showcase MIGF in its FINDER301 service, Malaysia’s first location-based mobile directory which offers the largest listing of verified food outlets with over 12,000 listings. Maxis customers will be able to find participating MIGF restaurants complete with reviews, ratings and recommendations using this new FINDER301 mobile directory service.
FESTIVAL MEDIA AND EVENT PARTNERS
Festival Media Partners are Astro, LiteFM, Asian Food Channel, Seni Jaya, Vision Four and Vision KL who have been spreading the word locally and internationally with television and radio commercials, billboards, special magazine supplements and feature articles.
Eurocopter Malaysia was Event Partner for MIGF2010 Media Launch on 15 September 2010. Providing spectacular locations for the Festival are Venue Sponsors, The Banjaran Hotsprings Resort for the Gala Launch at Sunway Convention Centre on 21 September, and Sunway Lagoon for the Grand Finale event at Sunway Lagoon Surf Beach on 30 October.
 |
| MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 2010 (MIGF2010) |
 |
| MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 2010 (MIGF2010) |
 |
| MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 2010 (MIGF2010) |
 |
| MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 2010 (MIGF2010) |
 |
| MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL 2010 (MIGF2010) |
