Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows Penang 2012 with Chef Michael Han

I again felt honor that I was selected to attend one of the most prestigious event by Hennessy that will took place in Penang for year 2012. I was already speechless when I received invites for the last Hennessy X.O appreciation Grows that took place at Hotel Equatorial last May 2012 . Indeed it was one of the best dinner experience I have attended so far, by getting a chance to dine Hennessy X.O pairing with Chef Edward Lee master piece which is a winner from Iron Chef. On that event itself, I was amazed on the whole event flow, on food presentation, live chef video  preparing the meals and of course how to enjoy Hennessy X.O with food.

I am looking forward for month of September that I get to kill two birds with one stone by attending, upcoming Hennessy Artistry then followed by Hennessy X.O appreciation Grows happening in Penang and I am proud that they are going to my hometown for this event.

Lets take a ride back on happenings last year.

Hennessy X.O Penang dinner which was held in May 2011 at Suffolk House Penang that converting the whole place into a dimention for fine dine. It is one of a exclusive event that guest are attending in Black Tie dress code.

With appreciation comes true knowledge; quality cues are discovered and connoisseurs created. This is true of luxury products, including cognac and Hennessy X.O. On Last year’s gastronomic event, the meals are well presented and Chef Cheong Liew was the master creation behind the scene .

Till date, how I remember Hennessy X.O this word was my grandfather’s favorite drink that he used to place his favourite collection on his alcohol shelf and loves to keep it for a few years before drink it. During special occasions he will always bring along a bottle to celebrate.

Well, I guess this whole brand starting point for true originality is as far as 1870, when Maurice Hennessy created Hennessy X.O, the first in the category of X.O cognacs. Elegant and complex, Hennessy X.O is the result of the blending of one hundred eaux-de-vie with an eXtra Old character, laying the foundation for a rich heritage from which Hennessy X.O continually innovates to be at the forefront of modernity.

Guess who will be the master chef line up for Penang Gastronomy for Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows Penang 2012. Will be this new kid on the block that have tough love qualities along with the commitment, passion, and above all, dedication to excellence that had made him being nominated for the World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence ‘Rising Chef of the Year’ in 2010 and 2011, with FiftyThree,  his restaurant that opens its door at year 2009 and nominated as ‘Best Restaurant’ in 2011. Notably, FiftyThree was featured as one of World’s 50 Best Restaurants ‘Regional Spotlight –Singapore’, and on CNNgo.com’s Best Eats 2010 asSingapore’s Best Gourmet Restaurant of 2010 – Singaporean Chef Micheal Han

Not only that, Michael is no stranger to Penang culture and cuisine, having grown up with a nanny fromPenangand “a steady diet of Penang Laksa”, these influences can be found in his cooking today. Michael’s upcoming menu at Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows 2012 in Penang is highly anticipated as he will be utilizing local Penang favorites, we will be following him for a Pre-Event Food Trail by  deconstructing them in a modern way while maintaining the essence of what is already familiar. Here is what we gonna enjoy in Penang this weekend similar to what Chef Edward Lee and Will Quah had done to Petaling Street as video below:

I am looking forward for this food trail along with this young Chef Micheal Han by learning along with his experience. He kick off his career in a fine dining restaurant Au Jardin before moving on to stints at The Fat Duck, L’Enclume and Anthony’s in England, Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain and Noma in Copenhagen, Denmark.

After this food trail, he will then present his master creation from September 26^th to 28^th 2012. The event will be held in Penang within the chapel of St. Joseph’s Novitiate Flanked by Gurney Drive and Kelawai Road, the historic building was built in 1925 as quarters for novices for St. Joseph’s Training College. To many Penangnites, Gurney Paragon is no stranger to us for its new location of dining that keep that building restored and updated in with its contemporary surroundings, it is a physical embodiment of the values that encompass Hennessy X.O.