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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 26th to 28th 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.

One of the night to be remembered that recently I got one exclusive event invites that makes me excited is this Hennessy X.O Appreciation Grows. One of the reason is, we will get a chance to dine and pairing with Cognac that feature winner Chef Edward Lee from Iron Chef versus José Garces. I just could not wait for the event to happen.

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One of the best invites so far that I have gotten and when I read the dress code, Black Tie I have to scratch my head for a moment as all my clothing left at hometown. As I am left with 2 days before the event, have to borrow a coat from my friend along with a tie to prepare myself for this grand event. The event took place at Hotel Equatorial. .

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Here am I, for the first time in this close private functions and I am amaze how they transform this whole place into classy looking environment.

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The star drink for tonight is Hennessy X.O.

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Upon arrival, we are greeted with drinks from the bar, friendly waiter being ready to serve you anytime to have your drink neat, with water or soda. I always love to have my first glass neat to try out the taste then follow by water. 😀

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Here you go as the new Hennessy X.O are being package into their new sexy curvy bottle.

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We just have bottomless drink as our glass never runs dry. Whenever it half way trough and it was filled up by this effective and pretty girls.

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Here we are and glad to see some of the bloggers (from left) – Wei Chin (KampungBoyCityGirl) , Me, Cheng Yi (Fatboybakes), Umei (CuminCiki) and Alison (Aly’s Wonderland).

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This is what I mean the transformation of the place that they did. .

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As we were gesture to head towards the main room, along the walkway are being filled with chef picture with candles to made up the place event more classy.

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I just love this rack that makes the new bottle of Hennessy X.O so classy futuristic!

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As went into the main function room, I am blown away with a huge wide display panel as staging background with all the wording effects.

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The seating are all being arrange and here is my seat with my name on it. Best of all, they have an electronic photo panel to show you what’s the menu and what are the itinerary for the night along with feature cuisine!

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Will Quah being the Emmce for the night . .

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Here we go, being brought into a new dimension on featuring the whole event by using a huge wide panel . .

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Follow by dance performance on the original story of the Heritage of Hennessy XO. Performed by international dancer and choreographer Soufiane Karim. Instead of pictures cant tell much, I decided to record it down with video on the superb performance.

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 Frederick Noyere, Managing Director of Moet & Hennessy Diageo

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follow by another 3-D lighting performance to reveal the new product!

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Salud means bless you in Spanish, often use in tossing.

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Never thought that I would see this happen in my eyes as this scene often happen in those reality program or shows that right before before each course, the chef appears on the screen to explain the inspirations behind the dish.

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They even show a glimpse of moment showing live what’s happening in the kitchen. Impressive!

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All of us are anxious for our food to arrive as we were prepared that how good the food will taste like.

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First dish for the night, a starter called Mosaic

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A colourful plate of starter with each side being carefully cut in squares, as each of the fresh ahi tuna & kona kampachi being paired along with a slice of tropical fruits each. I tried each slice itself as the tuna are very fresh and followed by combining both together gives another level of taste. Best to pair it along to get the best fresh and sweet taste of fruits at the end, every one just clear this dish in moments. Follow by a sip of cognac just brings out the aroma of sweetness.

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Piquant is the next feature dish with lobster, sea urchin & salmon skin

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Upon pouring the sauce onto the plate it smells so nice and sweet, just cant wait to have my fork to pick up each slice to put into my mouth. Indeed turns out to be the best among the feature dish, with one of a simple reason. Everything is fresh, simple yet get to taste the best out of it.

Paprika-spiced chilled sweet corn soup is just amazing on how the chef did it, as the chill gravy paired very well with with lobster that able to brings the best taste in both world without overpowering each other. The gravy/soup is just something we could not have enough. Wish it could be more! Everyone is enjoying this dish and satisfied look at the end!

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Oriental serve along with lovely lemongrass-chili vinaigrette heightened with pickled jicama & Japanese eggplant. Not easy to cook a nice scallop which is pan fried on both side to maintain its best form upon serving and it was well presented. Slice the scallop and eat along with the sauce prepare and follow with a sip of X.O makes the taste even more exquisite.

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Then during dinner there is a bottle of Limited Edition of Hennessy Methusalem that package in a custom made lamb skin covered traveling case in a 6 litre bottle. It is interesting on how they extract the cognac out from the bottle by using a long Rod!

The taste is much stronger, yet the after taste is mild towards the end. It is indeed one of a unique item as the production of this special edition are limited.

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Provocateur is the main being serve and the name itself also sound umph! Steak tenderloin cooked with chocolate, jalapeno and decorated with toasted sesame seeds, with sides of spinach & mushrooms

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Unfortunately my portion wasnt this, as mine is near to well done ..

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Seductrice is one of the dish that many people hype about it as I should have chosen dish for my mains. Many like this because of its soft inside out and served with a pureed smoked sweet potato & Chinese cabbage

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As the night proceed and we were entertain by a live jazz band and the singer is from Penang too . .Yay~

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To end our night Allure came along on our table. Brioche crusted dark chocolate genoise cake, served with red beet syrup, and lightly sprinkled with pistachio & walnuts. Just a perfect way to end this marvelous meal!

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At the end of our meal, here comes Chef Edward Lee being presented at the end. The mastermind behind all this superb meal.

It was a great night being the first time attending such event and surely a memorable one as the dish are just marvelous by pairing along with Hennessy X.O is just another level of taste being created.

Surely I am looking forward for more in the future ~

For a foodie like me, I always would like to meet someone famous in the critics not until recently I got a chance to meet Chua Lam live in person. A famous food critics that is born at Singapore and now resides in Hong Kong, columnist and often appear in the media as he was one of a great producers, with his notable work like Mr.Nice Guy, Thunderbolt and a few more, also feature as a judge in Japan great series, Iron Chef. He is also a great writer.

With his special appearance and hosted by one of local famous host, Ms Siow Hui Mei, the crowd and media had flock into this place within minutes and everyone is aiming at the front seats. One thing good being in the media is always get to occupy the front row.

Chua Lam

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I have always only get to see him on television and never thought that get to see him in person. Before this event, which was a day before I manage to catch one of his most recent shows that he bring a few leng lui to hunt for our very local Malaysian food.

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It is interesting to see him share to us about his life journey and filled the environment with laughter. He is a person which is seriously open minded that is why, to some parents thinking of brining their young kids have to consider. I just love the way he talk, straight and openly. He is also very interactive accepting and answer all the questions that the audience asked.

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Could not deny that Ms Siow Hui Mei is a great emmcee, act and think very fast in most of the response. Well, if you do watch over very local show Tiger WooHoo, she is also one of the actress.
After the small little chat and also promoting on his next life talk show, held a autograph section which leads to alot of people bought up his book at a very reasonable price of around RM20 per book.

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On his special appearence, he is promoting himself for his upcoming event ‘Chua Lam & Friends’ Live talk show that will have some special celebrity guest whom they will be share on their interesting life journey. The two day event will cover 2 different topics one as food critics and the other day will be life as a producer.

This great event will be held on 19th and 20th March 2010, held exclusively in the unique venue at the country’s first and only ‘Theatre in the Forest’ – The Actors Studio situated at the iconic rooftop of Lot 10. The showtime starts at 8pm on both nights.

Tickets are priced at RM 103, RM 83 and RM 63. All ticket prices are inclusive of Lot 10 Hutong food voucher worth RM 20 for you to experience the cuisines critically acclaimed by Chua Lam himself. Tickets are available in a choice of reservations, including online reservation at www.theactorsstudio.com.my from 3rd March 2010 onwards. For further enquiries, kindly contact Lot 10 Concierge at 03 27823566 or Ms Kelly at 03 27103803.

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Sidney (BBO), CK, Chua Lam and Me
Thanks to Kelly for the invites from YTL land that gave me a great opportunity to cover this event and also CK for the pictures and info.

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