MALAYSIAN TEAM AT THE COUPE DU MONDE DE LA PÂTISSERIE

Patrick Siau (2nd from right), Head Chef and Teaching Fellow, and Coach for the Malaysia National Pastry team will be leading the Malaysia National Pastry Team comprising Chefs Tan Wei Loon, Otto Tay and Loi Ming Ai at the famous Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie - World Pastry Cup in Lyon, France.

An exclusive dinner was hosted by The School of Hospitality at Sunway University to bid the team good luck as they prepare to pitch their skills at the World Pastry Cup — an international competition which takes place every two years where the world’s best pastry chefs pitch their skills against each other. Last year the team emerged champion in

the 2018 Asian Pastry Cup (APC) in Singapore and won the ‘Best Display’ award, proving they are a creative force to be reckoned with.

Chef Patrick said, “I am proud to represent Malaysia at the world stage once again. With strong will, passion and patience, I have always challenged myself to perfect the art of pastry production, ensuring innovative and exciting ends results.”

He also thanked Professor Stephenson, and his colleagues at Sunway University’s School of Hospitality especially the chefs and, the food and beverage team for their trust and full support. “We look forward to bringing glory and honour to our country.”

Prior to his appointment by the Professional Culinaire Association, Malaysia as Team Coach for the Asian Pastry Cup 2018, Chef Patrick had previously participated in the 2010 edition and the World Pastry Cup in 2011 as the Malaysia National Pastry Team Captain.

Chef Tan Wei Loon admitted preparing for the competition is a challenge as the team comprises individuals working in different areas. They have to allocate time for practice and discussions. 

Both Chefs Otto Tay and Loi Ming Ai also have their own challenges to overcome but Chef Patrick remains confident they stand a chance at nabbing a top three spot in the competition.

Chef Patrick then worked with Sunway University Chefs Soon Pau Voon, Lee Han Ying, Chong Wei Tzeh, Yee Suet Rene and Nur Amirah to create a special four-course dinner for the evening. The menu featured Yu Sheng with Smoked Duck, Double-Boiled Chicken Soup with Longan, Salmon with Butternut Squash and Baby Nai Pak. Guests were later treated to chocolate dessert prepared by Chef Patrick and the Malaysia National Pastry Team. 

DHL Express Malaysia will be the one of the key sponsor of the National Pastry Team’s participation in the competition, covering the cost of transporting the team’s equipment to France.  “We are excited to be the Official Logistics Provider for the National Pastry Team representing Malaysia at the Coup du Monde de la Pâtisserie. DHL Express will ensure the equipment gets delivered in good condition and on time to the world capital of gastronomy, giving our Chefs peace of mind to fully concentrate on the competition. We wish the Malaysian team all the best!” said Ms Ooi Chooi Lee, Head of Commercial, DHL Express Malaysia.

Ms Ooi was among the invited guests who attended the dinner at Sunway University in addition to luminaries such as Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director, Sunway Education Group and Sunway University; Professor Graeme Wilkinson, Vice-Chancellor, Sunway University; Gille Barrier, First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission, Charge d’Affaires, Embassy of France in Malaysia; Datuk Fazley Yaakob, singer and celebrity chef; and Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, better known as Chef Wan.

NEW GASTRONOMIC TREATS AT CEDAR ON 15

Midday Specials. Social Bites. The Cookbook. These catchy names denote the new lunch, light snacks and dinner menus at Cedar on 15, the  rooftop restaurant and lounge at Impiana KLCC Hotel in line with 2019.

Following a fresh approach taken by Chef Helmut Lamberger, Corporate Chef (WACS Global Master Chef), local media peeps were given first dibs into the culinary team’s versatile repertoire.

 

Waitstaff swooped in bearing trays of Social Bites, catching our eye with the unusual presentation. Our Version of Bitterballen (RM26) — crisp potato croquettes flavoured with smoked turkey ham and cheese finished with dollops of avocado mousse (pix below)  were scrumptious enough that I unashamedly went for repeat helpings.

Cocktail parties definitely would be more fun with wickedly delish Rockefeller Shrimp Popcorn (RM40) — crunchy deep-fried shrimp ‘popcorn’ in waxed newsprint cones served with roasted garlic aioli (bottom top pix). These nibbles easily reel you in so keep a tight grip on your own resolve or else...

Simpler but no less appealing on the palate is Vine Tomato Bruschetta (RM39). Amazing how sublime Cameron Highlands baby tomatoes baked with ricotta cheese, parsley oil and crushed pepper (bottom top pix) can taste when paired with some nice tipple. 

 

According to Chef Helmut, the new menus focus on classic European favourites with modern updates, to cater to today’s discerning diners. He emphasised his team also took into consideration key issues such as seafood sustainability, the use of locally-grown herbs and mushrooms, changing food trends and evolving palates.

One of Chef Helmut’s notable creations, Carpaccio of Portobello Mushroom (RM54) actually won him the coveted ‘Chef of the Year, Austria’ by Gault Millau back in 1991. His latest interpretation in which the thinly sliced fungi came dotted with burrata cheese and whipped horseradish was a delicate, no-frills composition of rustic earthiness — to symbolise the Forest in The Cookbook (dinner menu).

The evening’s showstopper for me was the Earth-inspired Cream of Kohlrabi (RM44) with butter-seared scallops, baby greens and coral tuille. Also known as German turnip, this temperate vegetable is now grown in Camerons. Part bulb and part vegetable, it’s a cross between a radish, jicama, collard green and broccoli.

The Cedar on 15 team did an excellent job turning it into a lush, creamy soup that allowed the scallops’ natural sweetness to shine and enveloped the asparagus tips with its sleek smoothness. 

With sustainability issue gaining traction in the food industry, Chef Helmut and his team selected Pan-fried Fillet of Malaysian Barramundi (RM64) as their main course of choice during the menu launch. A good decision as the fish itself proved on-point, accompanied by churned almond butter and sides of artichokes, potatoes, asparagus tips, olives, herbs and lemon wedges.

Passion is essential to chefs and the entire gastronomic feast we had experienced proved Chef Helmut Lamberger and his chaps spared no efforts in ensuring we went home happy. Their finale appeared in the form of A Medley of White Chocolate & Raspberry (RM44) with citrus crème and crispy snaps. Cloud-light with a well-balanced quotient of sweet and tangy accents, it hit the spot for me although I’m no fan of mousse-type treats.

The chef also demonstrated the preparation of some signature dishes such as Skaagen or Scandinavian Shrimp Salad, Foie Gras ‘Magyar’ and Barbary Duck Breast during dinner. A plethora of specialities from all three menus was also displayed for us to photograph and view at the launch.

For reservations, call Cedar on 15, tel: 03-2147 1111. Address: Level 15, Impiana KLCC Hotel, 13, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur.