The League of Kitchens Spirit to Serve CRS Initiative

Marriott International APAC’s Culinary Workshop by Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur

When 40 International and local chefs get together, there’s nothing short but a big bang of culinary escapades hosted by Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. A yearly event, Marriott International sets out to host The League of Kitchens on all their hotel locations all over the world. Gathering their culinary teams from all Marriott properties, these chefs are set for 3-day workshop focusing on trends and culinary innovations in the F&B industry.

The 5th edition of the annual Marriott International’s APAC Culinary workshop was held recently in June 2019 at Le Meridien with 40 chefs from Marriott properties in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, The Philippines and The Maldives together with 12 top culinary students from Taylor’s University School of Culinary Arts & Food Studies, Sunway’s Le Cordon Bleu Institute Malaysia, and KDU University College.

Lead by Toine Hoeksel, Senior Culinary Director of APAC, the 3-day workshop took everyone through a high-level and immersive experiential training, networking, learning new trends of the trade, ‘Black Box’ challenge and ended with a fun and insightful outdoor cooking session for charity.

The finale of the Marriott International’s APAC Culinary workshop was held at Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) where everyone takes on an outdoor challenge of cooking up a storm for 100 stateless children from Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih, a stateless children school by Ministry of Education. Part of Marriott International’s ‘Spirit to Serve’ CSR initiative, Chef Hoeksel together with Le Meridien KL Executive Chef Antoine Rodriguez along with Regional Culinary Director of APEC, Marriott International Raheel Ahmed and Area Director of Operations Nicolas Kassab together with the culinary team were all on-site in making the event a fruitful and fun event for the children.

Despite an early morning shower, the team work hard to setup all the cooking stations in preparation for the big cookout. With 6 teams set together with culinary students, members of the media and bloggers, the morning took flight as the weather cleared up to a bright and sunny day. The menu of the day consisted of Chicken and Beef Satay, Ulam Kerabu, Butter Chicken with Vegetable Dalcha and Rice, Grilled Fish and Squid with Tamarind Sauce, Wok-Fried Vegetables, Stir-Fried Egg Noodles, Assorted Malay Kuih, Roti Jala, Banana Porridge and Durian Porridge.

A quick speech by Chef Hoeksel boosted the spirit of the team and the atmosphere of the day of certainly vibrating with much energy, joy and laughter from everyone.

Chef Hoeksel has been with Marriott International for 7 years and has been leading the APAC Culinary workshop since the beginning. The APAC Culinary workshop host 13 workshops through a year internationally with the purpose to bring Marriott chefs together and how to continuously improve the food quality of the international hotel group.

‘Marriott International continues to grow with 850 hotels in the pipeline over 5-year timeline. Therefore, it is crucial that everyone grows with the group. The goal is to focus on food quality, building reputation, storytelling, driving revenue, food authenticity with locally source as well as sustainable ingredients. Besides this, Marriott International hopes to work with local schools to bring in new talents through their apprenticeship program and allow them to grow globally with the group’, says Chef Hoeksel.

The day concluded with much success and laughter as everyone made sure the children were well-fed with the delicious menu along with singing activities and even a dance performance by Chef Hoeksel and all his team.

The 12 top culinary students from the local culinary schools were also presented with certificate of recognition from Marriott International. The certification is said to serve as a strong entry point for the young graduates to seek employment opportunities with any Marriott property internationally.

More tokens of appreciation were also presented to the culinary team from Sekolah Bimbingan Jalinan Kasih management team.

Perhaps the most priceless moment of the day was the group photo of the smiles on the children with the team that day…

Embracing Ramadan with Special Children at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur

A holy Ramadan month of forgiveness, Four Seasons Hotel played host to special children and their caregivers from Tasputra Perkim and Taman Megah’s Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home for a buka puasa meal on the evening of 23 May 2019.

The evening is graced with Her Royal Highness, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor along with Mr. Tom Roelens, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Dato’ Rosemarie Wee, Director of Community Relations as well as honorary guests, members of the media and Four Seasons family of staff. An auspicious occasion indeed, it marked the first event of embracing the month of Ramadan since the hotel’s opening in July 2018.

After the welcoming speech from Mr. Roelens, a prayer session was followed before guests are treated to a sumptuous buka puasa feast by the culinary team of the hotel.

Fifty children from both Tasputra Perkim and Taman Megah’s Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home are seen enjoying the evening with much happiness and smiles on their faces.

After dinner, Her Royal Highness, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Mr. Roelens took the opportunity to go around to interact and hand duit Raya to the children. Many also took the opportunity to have their photo taken with Her Royal Highness, Mr. Roelens and Chairman of Tasputra Perkim, Puan Hajjah Elahe Norman.

An evening of charitable notation, the smiles on the children were simply priceless, thanks to Four Seasons Hotel and Her Royal Highness along with the organizers of the event.

World Chefs Without Borders Charity Dinner @ Dorsett Grand Subang

Dorsett Grand Subang to Host An Evening of Silvery Glam with World Chefs

World Chefs Without Borders (WCWB) in partnership with Dorsett Grand Subang, is hosting An Evening of Silvery Glam with World Chefs on 8 August, 2017 in aid of Selangor Cheshire Home (SCH). Selangor Cheshire Home is a non-profit organisation dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities towards an independent life.

An Evening of Silvery Glam with World Chefs is poised to be the high profile gastronomic event of the year in Dorsett Grand Subang with the hotel’s brigade of chefs cooking alongside 11 International World Chef Extraordinaire on a specially curated 5-course dinner. Diners will also have the option of whisky-pairing as well as an up-close and personal interactive session with fellow chefs.

Chef KK Yau, previously the Executive Chef of Dorsett Kuala Lumpur is one of the 11 World Chefs that has been leading the annual World Chefs Without Borders Charity Dinner.

Ms Christina Toh, Area General Manager - Dorsett Hospitality International said, “Dorsett Hotels have always been supportive in providing platform for its chefs to be inspired and to showcase their culinary skills. Chef Yau was one of our successful culinary talents who has transcend borders with his immerse culinary skill and expertise. We hope this charity event will further create a stronger self-confidence and awe-inspiring skills among our fellow local chefs; and at the same time create a platform to propel them to the international culinary scene.”

In line with the hotel’s corporate social responsibility, six (6) youths from SCH whom are currently attached to the hotel’s culinary department will also be assisting fellow world chefs in the preparation of the charity dinner to showcase and develop their talents to its fullest potential. Partial proceeds from the event will be contributed to enhance SCH’s medical care with better facilities to ensure the residents are given a good quality of life.

Dorsett Grand Subang has worked with SCH on the Economic Empowerment Project (EEP) for the past 7 years with an aim to inspire talented youths with physical disabilities. It is the first hotel in Malaysia to provide a 3-months on-the-job training for the disabled to enhance their employment opportunities.

To date, the hotel has trained 223 youths; out of which 67% are employed.

Do join the World Chefs Without Borders this year at Dorsett Grand Subang for an unforgettable evening of dining with a good cause! Visit website www.worldchefs.org/en/community/without-borders for more information.

An Evening of Silvery Glam with World Chefs Dinner

RM288 nett per person

RM498 nett per couple

To contribute, please call Ms. Stephanie Hendroffat, tel:03-5033 7477 or Ms. Noriah Ali, tel: 03-5033 7479. For more details, visit website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang

Dorsett Grand Subang

Jalan SS12/1,

47500 Subang Jaya,

Selangor

T: +60 3 5031 6060

F: +60 3 5031 8686

E: info.subang@dorsetthotels.com

Website: www.dorsetthotels.com/malaysia/subang

A Musical Christmas at Lot 10 Shopping Centre

A Season of Giving

With festive cheers around the corner, music is also being played everywhere. If I were to tell you that you can create your own magical music notes, wouldn’t you be game to add your own music merriment to this festive season?

Head on over to Lot 10 Shopping Centre for its spectacular line-up of musical entertainments to rejoice this yuletide season. Transformed into a fun-filled enchanting setting of merriment and wonderment of whimsical Christmas ornaments and twinkling lights, Lot 10 Shopping Centre is filled with lots of shopping deals and perks for the season of gifting.

Themed ‘A Musical Christmas’ this year, the Concourse of Lot 10 features musical instrument installations where visitors can exhibit their musical talent and create their own tune for the season. No ordinary musical instruments, these are specially constructed musical instruments made by special materials, creating the most unique magical sounds this festive season.

The Xylphone is made from reclaimed wood and offers the sound of nature in the woods.

Aerophone is created from high density polyethylene pipe and is a wind instrument. It is similar to the sound of wind chimes except this one is on a larger and stronger scale.

Metallophone is reconstructed from using notes of anodized aluminum tubes with steel cable suspension and stainless steel frame. The sound is tuned to chromatic scale and sounds dreamy with slight echo.

Join the Lot 10 Facebook Contest by recording a video while playing their favorite songs and Christmas tunes using the musical instruments on the Concourse Leve and upload it to the Lot 10 Kuala Lumpur Facebook page to stand a chance to win attractive prizes.

Tis' The Season of Giving

The season of merriment is also the season of giving. In the spirit of the season, Lot 10 supports the ‘Make A Child Smile This Christmas’ campaign, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative aimed at raising funds and fulfilling underprivileged children’s wishes. Organized by Charwiki, a non-profit organization based in Kuala Lumpur, their vision is to ensure that no child will be left out in this season of merriment.

Let’s all do our part by logging on to www.charwiki.com to buy gifts for the underprivileged little ones this Christmas and put a smile on their faces. Whether its stationaries, a new set of school uniform or even an outing at the zoo, every little thought counts.

Ten shelter homes around the Klang Valley will benefit from this campaign - Rainbow House, Charis Hope Learning Centre, Yayasan Sunbeams Home, IQ70plus (Malaysian Association for the Guardians of the Intellectually Challenged), United Learning Centre, House of Joy, Hriphi Community School, Rumah Jaireh, Rumah Victory Children and Youth Home and Divine Mercy Boys Home. Charwiki will ensure the gifts will be donated directly to the homes and the donors will be notified as soon as the gifts has been received by the children.

Catch Christmas Carolers belting out Christmas songs every weekend from 12.30pm to 2.00pm as well as lively busking performances every weekend for the month of December from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

There are also Christmas Gift booths located at the Concourse with special promotions by UniqTee, Omorose Cosmetics, Swee Lee Music and Stick Arts Café.

We visited Stick Arts Café pop up and sample Lucaffe Specialty coffee and Tea & Salute tea served in pretty mugs and teapots. We sampled their Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, one of the rarest and most sought after coffee that is highly popular for its unique aroma and flavor. The Tea & Salute of Te Ai Frutta Bosco or Wild Fruit Tea is also beautifully fruity and refreshing with an intense berry sensation.

Stick Arts also offers plenty of sweet treats as gifts this festive season. Indulge from Macarons to Cake in a Jar, Specialty Cakes, Pralines and 3D Gelato Art.

3D Gelato Art comes in more than 38 flavors and in popular fun characters as well as flowers, teddy bears, festive icons and more. There is even a 3D Gelato Flower in a Bouquet of 6, 12 or 24 roses to impress a loved one!

I also adored the Yoghurt Bar studded with fruits!

The Pralines are all handmade by Chef Kimora and there is even a festive flavor named Christmas Rhizome of milk chocolate with ginger. Out of the 9 available flavors, my favorite has to be the Sensational, a combination of peanut butter, chocolate and cherry.

Don’t miss the Buy 1 Free 1 promotion for the Praline Set as well as other seasonal gifts from Stick Arts Café. T&C applies.

For more information, please contact Lot 10 Shopping Centre’s Concierge at +603 2782 3566 or visit www.facebook.com/Lot10KL.