A Perennial Feast by YTL Hotels + Giveaway

A Perennial Feast, the much anticipated coffee table book by YTL Hotels was unveiled on 30 January 2013 at the Starhill Culinary Studio at Muse Floor, Starhill Gallery. The book, officially launched by Dato' Yeoh Soo Min, Executive Director of YTL Corporation showcases the culinary excellence that is best exemplified by YTL's hotels, resorts and restaurants worldwide. 

Authored by Kim Inglis, this book takes readers on a gastronomic journey from Malaysia to China to Japan, and all the way to Europe, which includes food and restaurant reviews, simple-to-follow recipes and overviews of a variety of cultures and cuisines. The beautiful photography by Danish photographer, Jacob Termansen enhances the reading experience. 

Ms. Tracy Khee of YTL introducing the guests of honour - Kim Inglis, Dato' Yeoh Soo Min and Ian Pringle

A Perennial Feast is officially launched!

Kim Inglis presenting a copy of the book to Dato' Yeoh

Author Kim Inglis with A Perennial Feast

Guests at the book launch were then taken to Third Floor Gallery at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur for a 4-course dinner. Third Floor Gallery replaces Third Floor Restaurant, and has been transformed into a stylish, contemporary venue which is available for private functions (seats 90).

Led by YTL Corporate Executive Chef Wai Look Chow and Chef Matthew Ona from Shook! Shanghai, guests were treated to a cooking demo and magnificent array of signature dishes featured in the book and restaurants

Chef Matthew Ona and Chef Wai

The amuse bouche is a dish eponymous with Shook! Shanghai, the Snow White Dancing Prawns with Hot Mayonnaise and Honey Glazed Walnuts. Served in a martini glass, this dish looked elegant on top of being delicious.

This was followed by the soft shell crab maki and kaki agebonoyaki, two recipes shared by chefs from Gonbei San, the award-winning Japanese restaurant in Starhill Gallery. The soft shell crab maki was invented by the head chef over 20 years ago. We enjoyed watching the chef put together the maki roll. I really enjoyed the kaki agebonoyaki, which is oysters cooked in their shells with salty roe and sweet mayonnaise.The sauce for this was extremely good. This course was served with the Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc, Chile 2011.

A taste of Japan in KL - by chef from Gonbei San, Starhill Gallery

Soft shell crab maki and kaki agebonoyaki

The tobiko (flying fish roe) adds a nice texture and subtle saltiness

Fisherman's Cove, a restaurant which can be found in Pangkor Laut Resort and Feast Village, Starhill Galllery emphasises on fresh seafood. Saltwater barramundi, which is said to have a clean fish taste is used for this dish. It is lightly steamed and served with a tasty spicy sauce, roasted baby eggplant and pumpkin sauce. This was served with another dish from Shook! Shanghai, the pressed chicken saute with grilled asparagus, jasmine rice and lime coconut veloute. The accompanying wine is a Grant Burge Benchmark Chardonnay, Australia 2011.

Steamed Fillet of Saltwater Barramundi, Bird's Eye Chilli, Roasted Baby Eggplant and Pumpkin Sauce

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Pressed chicken saute with grilled asparagus, jasmine rice and lime coconut veloute

Dessert was the Gariguette Strawberries in a crunchy pastry with light vanilla cream, from Muse Saint Tropez. This was my favorite dish of the evening, as it is both visually attractive and luscious. Gariguette strawberries are slightly smaller than usual strawberries and account for 20% of strawberries grown commercially in France. This was accompanied by the Torralta Prosecco di Conegliano.

Torralta Prosecco di Conegliano

Gariguette Strawberries in a crunchy pastry with light vanilla cream

My favorite kind of dessert, with lots of cream and fresh berries

Macarons and Pralines

A round of applause for the wonderful chefs

A Perennial Feast is available in these book stores in Malaysia, namely Kinokuniya, Borders, MPH Bookstores, Times the Bookshop and WH Smith at the price of RM125 per copy. It is also available on Amazon and other international websites.

And now for the GIVEAWAY!

I have one copy of "A Perennial Feast", signed by the author to be given away to one lucky reader (only open to Malaysian and Singapore readers).

All you have to do is:
1. LIKE my Facebook page here. (If you are already a "FAN", you can still join - just complete Step 2)
2. Then drop a comment below: "I would like a copy of this book", with your name (that you used to like my FB page so that I can cross check that you've completed Step 1) as well as your email address for me to contact you if you win. (If you do not wish to reveal your name and email address on the blog, then feel free to email me on goodyfoodies@live.com but you still need to drop a comment on this post "I would like a copy of this book")

Closing date: 9 February 2013 23:59.

I will be announcing the winner on 10th February and will be in contact for your mailing address.