Monday, November 10, 2014

MIGF (MALAYSIA INTERNATIONAL GOURMET FESTIVAL) 2014 ENDED AFTER A MONTH-LONG RUN AT ROYALE CHULAN HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR WITH FIERY HOT THRILLS AND SPILLS OF THE GASTRONOMIC KIND!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

MIGF 2014 Awards & Celebration Party

Attended by over 1,000 VIPs - including royalty, 23 foreign ambassadors, celebrities, captains of industry and international food writers - the MIGF Awards and Celebration Party, signalling the finale of the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival 2014, was an explosive affair. 

Smoke, flame, red hot dancers, magical tricks and glittering awards ceremonies made it one of the most memorable finales ever - a fitting and relaxing end to a month of scintillating dining, wonderful Festival togetherness and countless servings of Festival Menus.

For the MIGF Awards and Celebration Party, the Taman Mahsuri atrium within the Royale Chulan Hotel Kuala Lumpur took on the appearance of a mystical enchanted garden, while the adjacent ballroom was an even more lavish affair with giant candelabras and an imposing stage.

In keeping with the Festival theme of 'Red Hot Chefs!' the event began with fearless fire-eaters entering the atrium twirling flaming batons and swallowing flames whole. The Festival Chefs then arrived on stage with much fanfare presenting a picture of happy camaraderie until suddenly eight 'chefs' broke forward, threw off their chefs' garbs and transformed into red hot dancers. 

The crowd burst into excited applause!
Master magician Moudini – also disguised as a chef – then burst forth, setting the Festival Magazine on fire before turning the flames into a shower of red chillies and doves. 

A black curtained box was wheeled onto the stage, the curtain pulled and then, with a huge bang and burst of flames, MIGF Organising Chairman Dato' Steve Day made his appearance.

After more tricks from the mischievous Moudini (including two ducks making a cameo appearance!) Dato' Steve was cajoled back into the box where he was shrunk until his head and feet were less than an arm's length apart!

Once restored to full height, Dato' Steve thanked the Red Hot Chefs, fire eaters, dancers and the magical Moudini before going on to praise the 'collective effort' of all the Festival Restaurants, Festival Sponsors, Media Partners and Festival diners in making MIGF 2014 such a success.

“Let the party begin!” he enthusiastically concluded, and so it did – with good food, drink, and friends. It was the restaurants' night off and courtesy of the Vision Four Media Group, Festival restaurants and guests enjoyed the best of traditional cuisine from each state of Malaysia. 

A lively Latin band, energetic salsa dancers and free-flowing drinks made sure it was a long night of continuous revelry.

It was soon time for the MIGF Awards Ceremony. Accompanied by Dato' Steve, Festival Royal Patron Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tunku Ja'afar presented medals to the Festival Chefs followed by golden statuettes which the winners jubilantly thrust into the air to raucous cheers from their supporters. All aspects of the Festival Restaurants' participation, from the menu and marketing down to the quality of service and the best value offers were honoured.

The title of Chef Congeniality, presented to the most admired and amiable chef of the Festival, judged by a secret ballot among the Festival chefs, was awarded to Chef Valmurugam Subramaniam of Samplings on the Fourteenth.

 "I am amazed and proud that my fellow chefs should vote for me,” said the popular Chef Val.
The best was saved for last – the Golden Cauldron Award, which honoured the best all-round restaurant in MIGF. All restaurants had performed splendidly, but there could only be one winner; and that was announced as Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie. 

The modest Chef Nathalie, an MIGF regular for the past few years, was a popular winner. "I'm so proud of my team,” said the petite French maestro. "Nothing would have been possible without them. This is such a fantastic honour and a great moment for us all,” she said amid tears of joy.

After Chef Nathalie Arbefeuille was presented with the towering trophy, her excited team rushed forward to make an impromptu appearance on the stage, screaming themselves hoarse amid the applause of assembled Festival Chefs and cheers of the VIP audience.

The celebrations continued well into the night as the curtain fell on MIGF 2014, a perfect end to a month of culinary creativity. Look out for MIGF 2015 – it only gets better from here!

MIGF 2014 was sponsored by Tourism Malaysia with The Vision Four Media Group as the Principal Festival Partner. The Official Imaging Partner was Fujifilm Malaysia and Official Beer, Kronenbourg 1664. The Festival Media Partners were Astro, Asian Food Channel, Astro Radio, Seni Jaya, Vision Four and Vision KL

Recognition for All
The MIGF Awards and Celebration Party is a rare time, not only for the Festival Chefs, but also for the restaurant management, kitchen, and service staff to enjoy the limelight due to their traditional behind-the-scenes roles.
 “Everyone involved in MIGF is a winner. Everyone deserves a medal. It has been a privilege to work with all of you!” declared the Organising Chairman, Dato’ Steve Day.
As Chef Nathalie was bestowed the Golden Cauldron Award, her excited team rushed forward to make an impromptu appearance on the stage, screaming themselves hoarse amid the shower of confetti, applause of assembled Festival Chefs, and cheers of the VIP audience.
MIGF regular, the modest Chef Nathalie, was a popular winner and when she heard the result she was full of emotion.
“I’m so proud of my team,” said the petite French maestro. “Nothing would have been possible without them. This is such a fantastic honour and a great moment for us all,” she passionately stated.  
The normally exuberant Chef Val of Samplings on the Fourteenth had to wipe away tears as he was recognised by his peers as the most congenial chef of MIGF 2014.
“Any one of my brother chefs could have won this award,” he said. ”I am really honoured that they voted for me.”
The Awards
The theme 'Red Hot Chefs!' provided the backdrop for the Festival Restaurants to test their mettle against their peers in some of the most creative interpretations of the theme, ranging from spicy servings and sizzling decorations to fire breathers, fireworks and even a chef arriving  by helicopter!

Awards were given for creativity, innovation, presentation and value of the Festival Menu, quality of service, effective marketing strategies, best use of the Festival theme, best restaurant station designs and the number of Taste Sovereigns and Gourmet Dollars collected and portions sold during the Gala Launch and Taste MIGF.
Judging

Proving that it was a Festival for all, VIP judges and public diners alike made their opinions heard by way of their votes, selecting the restaurants that excelled in all arenas of MIGF – the Gala Launch, Taste MIGF and the Festival Menus as well as at the restaurants themselves during the month of October.


Festival Background

MIGF 2014 marked the 14th year of the Festival. MIGF began as the KL International Gourmet Festival in 2001 with 13 restaurants – then about all the fine dining restaurants there were in Kuala Lumpur. From humble beginnings, MIGF is now one of Malaysia's most recognizable international tourist brands. It has played a major part in helping Malaysia’s fine dining industry evolve from a virtually zero base to the vibrant premium dining scene we see today. As a result, it received international recognition by winning the PATA Gold Award for Marketing for establishing Malaysia as one of the leading world destinations for food tourism.

Full List of Award Winners MIGF2014

Golden Cauldron Award for the Best All-Round Restaurant 2014
Overall Winner: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie
Winners: La Scala, Marini’s on 57, Tanzini, Ten Japanese Fine Dining, The Olive

Chef Congeniality 2014
Winner: Chef Valmurugan Subramaniam

Special MIGF Festival Awards
Most Popular Overall Restaurant at the VIP Gala Launch
Winner: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Most Popular Overall Restaurant at Taste MIGF
Award Winner: Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Outstanding Marketing of the Festival
Award Winner: Resorts World Genting

Most Outstanding Overall Festival Experience
Award Winner: Seasonal Tastes, The Westin Langkawi


Most Popular Restaurants
Most Popular Restaurant at the VIP Gala Launch Taste Sovereigns Collected
Winners: Chambers, Chynna, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Imperial Rama, Marble 8, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Popular Restaurant at the VIP Gala Launch Portions Sold
Winners: Charcoal, Chynna, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Imperial Rama, Samplings on the Fourteenth, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Popular Restaurant at Taste MIGF Gourmet Dollars Collected
Winners: Chambers, Graze, Grill 582, La Scala, Minori, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Popular Restaurant at Taste MIGF Portions Sold
Winners: Aliyaa, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Minori, Nerovivo, Samplings on the Fourteenth, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Taste MIGF Awards - Judges’ Choice
Most Creative Restaurant Station at Taste MIGF
Winners: Hilton KL, NEO Tamarind, Resorts World Genting, Signature by the Hill, Tanzini, The Marini’s Group

Most Creative Food Presentation at Taste MIGF
Winners: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, Marble 8, Nook, Seasonal Tastes, Signature by the Hill

Most Innovative Cuisine at Taste MIGF
Winners: Aliyaa, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, Marini’s on 57, Nook, Tanzini


Taste MIGF Awards – People’s Choice
Most Creative Restaurant Station at the Gala Launch
Winners: Aliyaa, Hilton KL, Nook, Resorts World Genting, The Marini’s Group, Zender’s Bar & Grill

Most Creative Food Presentation at Taste MIGF
Winners: Graze, Marini’s on 57, NEO Tamarind, Nook, Seasonal Tastes, Tanzini

Most Innovative Cuisine at Taste MIGF
Winners: Imperial Rama, La Scala, NEO Tamarind, Tanzini, Ten Japanese Fine Dining, The Olive




Festival Awards - Judges’ Choice
Best Marketed Restaurant
Winners: Dynasty/Sagano (Renaissance KL Hotel), Imperial Rama/LTITUDE/The Olive (Resorts World Genting), Seasonal Tastes (Westin Langkawi), Signature by the Hill, Tanzini, Bunga Emas/L’Heritage (The Royale Chulan KL)

Best Value Menu of the Festival
Winners: Aliyaa, Bunga Emas, Charcoal, Chynna, Dynasty, L’Heritage

Most Creative Menu of the Festival
Winners: Bunga Emas, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Marini’s on 57, Tanzini, Ten Japanese Fine Dining, The Olive

Best Festival Offers
Winners: Aliyaa, Charcoal, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Dynasty, Tanzini, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Festival Awards - Diners’ Choice
Best Festival Dining Experience
Winners: Hilton KL, La Scala, LTITUDE, Marble 8, Marini’s on 57, Seasonal Tastes, Tanzini, The Olive

Most Outstanding Service Team of the Festival
Winners: Bunga Emas, Charcoal, Hilton KL, LTITUDE, Renaissance KL Hotel, Samplings on the Fourteenth, Seasonal Tastes, The Olive

Most Outstanding Canapés of the Festival
Winners: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, Grill 582, LTITUDE, Maison Francaise, Ten Japanese Fine Dining, The Olive

Most Outstanding Soup of the Festival
Winners: Dynasty, Imperial Rama, L’Heritage, Maison Francaise, Marble 8, Samplings on the Fourteenth

Most Outstanding Palate Cleanser of the Festival
Winners: Bunga Emas, Graze, Grill 582, La Scala, L’Heritage, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Outstanding Starter/Appetiser (Warm) of the Festival
Winners: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, LTITUDE, Marini’s on 57, Samplings on the Fourteenth, Zender’s




Most Outstanding Starter/Appetiser (Cold) of the Festival
Winners: NEO Tamarind, Nook, Samplings on the Fourteenth, Tanzini, Ten Japanese Fine Dining, The Olive

Most Outstanding Mains of the Festival – Meat
Winners: Chambers, Chynna, Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, Marble 8, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Most Outstanding Mains of the Festival – Fish/Poultry
Winners: Charcoal, Dynasty, Imperial Rama, Marini’s on 57, Sagano, The Olive

Most outstanding Mains – Others
Winners: Aliyaa Island Restaurant & Bar, Chynna, La Scala, Marble 8, Marini's on 57, Nerovivo 
Most Outstanding Dessert of the Festival
Winners: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, LTITUDE, Marini’s on 57, L’Heritage, Minori

Most Outstanding Wine Pairing
Winners: Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie, La Scala, Maison Française, Marini’s on 57, Seasonal Tastes, The Olive
Best Value Menu of the Festival
Winners: Aliyaa, Chynna, Dynasty, L’Heritage, Seasonal Tastes, Ten Japanese Fine Dining

Best Use of Festival Theme
Winners: Bunga Emas, L’Heritage, Nerovivo, Seasonal Tastes, Samplings on the Fourteenth, The Olive

Best Restaurant Ambiance
Winners: Chambers Bar & Grill, Chynna, LTITUDE, Marble 8, Marini’s on 57, Tanzini


 RED HOT SHOW FOR RED HOT CHEFS!
 SENSATIONAL DECOR INSIDE ROYALE CHULAN BALLROOM
 HOT SHOW
 WHAT'S INSIDE THE BLACK CURTAINED BOX?
 IT'S NONE OTHER THAN DATO STEVE DAY MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE AS PER USUAL!
 MAGICIAN MAHDI MOUDINI CRAWLS OUT FROM INSIDE DATO STEVE DAY'S BOX WHICH PROVES THE ENGLISHMAN'S BODY HAS BEEN SQUEEZED INTO THE SMALL BOX!
 MIGF'S THEME FOR 2014 IS RED HOT CHEFS AND FOUNDER/ORGANISER DATO STEVE DAY PROVES IT!
 WINNERS
 TUCKING INTO MALAYSIA'S BEST CUISINES!
 RED HOT DANCERS
 ROYAL PATRON YAM TG NAQUIYUDDIN TUANKU JAAFAR SASHING THE WINNERS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES
 THE BIG WINNERS
 CHFE CONGENIALITY
 NATHALIE OF CUISINE GOURMET BY NATHALIE ALMOST FAINTS AS HER NAME WAS ANNOUNCED AS CHEF OF THE YEAR!
 CHEERS AND CONGRATS, NATHALIE
 WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

 LONG LIVE FOODIES!





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