Rice-based food fiesta to bind Asean

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 50 rice-based authentic cuisines prepared by the best chefs from 10 Asean nations will be on the plates to tickle the taste buds of Asean leaders' spouses who are in Malaysia's capital tomorrow.
The inaugural Asean Food Fiesta to be held at the Royale Chulan Hotel with the theme "Rice That Binds Us" will showcase the richness of Asean culinary delicacies and bring out the best of traditional rice-based dishes from 10 Asean countries.
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of Malaysian Prime Minister, will be hosting the fiesta for the Asean leaders' spouses in conjunction with the 27th Asean Summit and Related Summits this weekend.
Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development's International Relations Division Undersecretary Datin Noorazah Omar said rice, as the staple food in the Asean region, was one of the key elements that bind the member countries.
"We are building Asean community through cuisines," she told Bernama and RTM in an interview recently.
Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Noorazah said 10 booths would be set up where 10-Asean countries would bring in their chefs to prepare at least five traditional and authentic cuisines, including desserts, to be showcased and served at the fiesta.
"Is an opportunity for guests to learn more about Asean's culture via their authentic cuisine, besides getting the chance to try out the delicacies," she said.
Malaysia would be showcasing its famous lemang, ketupat palas, rendang, serunding, nasi kerabu, nasi tumpang, soto ayam, tapai pulut, kuih seri muka, pulut udang, and pulut sambal, she said.
Noorazah said celebrity chefs from the member countries would also be doing live cooking demonstration on rice-based cuisine, which would later be shared with the guests.
Noorazah said a selection panel would choose one dish from each member countries to be served during the luncheon for spouses of Asean heads.
There will also be Asean cultural performances that will reflect the spirit of the regional bloc performed by the 10 member countries and Permata Seni Koir and Tari, during the luncheon, she added.
Apart from the spouses of Asean leaders, 150 other guests are also expected to attend the food fiesta, including spouses of leaders of the regional grouping dialogue partners and Asean Foreign Minister wives. — Bernama