MITEC hosts Michelin Guide’s debut announcement

The Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) hosted The Michelin Guide’s debut announcement at MITEC last week, highlighting food specialities from Malaysia’s 13 states and three federal territories – Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya.

The Michelin Guide, through the first edition, will cover Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

The restaurants in these two cities are eligible to earn coveted Michelin stars for the first time as part of a list that will be revealed in December.

The list will be determined by the company’s international selection criteria, which are the quality of ingredients, the mastery of cooking, the harmony of flavours and the personality of the chef through the cuisine

Food selections include Sticky Sushi using glutinous rice with Harum Manis flown from Perlis for the occasion, Lobster Brioche using chunks of lobster and pomelos from Tambun, Perak, Baked Scallops using scallops from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah with mashed cauliflower and toast butter crust, were served during the event at MITEC.

Snow White Putrajaya comprises Banana Brulee, olive oil snow, and yoghurt crisp. The Nasi Lemak Royale Kedah Ice-Cream was a favourite amongst guests, served with in-house coconut gelato, sweet strawberry sambal, and caramelised anchovies.

Other food items served included the Baked BBQ Chicken Bun with inspiration from Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Ceviche (Umai), Chilli Satay, Beef Bone & Marrow Kerutup, Spicy Chili Crab, Spicy Otak-Otak, Fire Baked Seafood Rice Biryani, ‘Hae Mee’ Bisque Penang, Crispy Stuffed Chicken Wings with Stuffed Rice, Coconut Pana Cotta, and Chendol Durian.

The food menu was featured on 13 digital panels that also showed the state of origin for each featured dish, the ingredients used and a map showing the state’s tourist attractions.

Commenting on hosting the event and the array of dishes served, MITEC chief executive officer Mala Dorasamy said: “We are delighted to organise such a prestigious event like The Michelin Guide Debut Announcement at MITEC. We are proud of the MITEC team who worked tirelessly to conceptualise the theme “Road to Malaysia”.

The Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) covers 75.5 acres of the KL Metropolis within Kuala Lumpur’s International Trade and Exhibition District.

It is one of the largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) venues in Southeast Asia, offering over 51,000 sqm of exhibition space.

The Michelin Guide dates back to 1900 when the first guide was compiled by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin as free instructional material for travellers in France.

By 1926, the guide began awarding single stars to fine-dining restaurants, and by 1936, it had a ranking system in place for one, two and three-starred eateries (three stars being the highest and most revered).