Editor’s Note – July 2018

[Editor’s Note]

HEINEKEN Malaysia Celebrates Beer and Food at Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018

Headed over to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on 12 July 2018 for Heineken Malaysia Berhad’s (HEINEKEN Malaysia) media preview of their special food pairing menu, as well as beer and cider-infused recipes to introduce the public to the world of beer and food. The preview was held in conjunction with Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018 held at Hall 1, in the convention centre that ran from 12 to 14 July,

Seven (7) years ago, I had the privilege of attending a really special dinner with dishes prepared by Masterchef Australia winner Adam Liaw paired with Guinness (which you can read here – https://timchew.net/2011/12/04/4781/) hence the idea of beer with food is something I’m accustomed to.

Beer (and even cider!) can work as an ingredient, or paired with a dish to enhance the flavours. The quality, variety and diversity of different beer styles means that the possibilities are pretty much endless – it very much depends on your preference and creativity. During the preview, we were quite fortunate to get a lesson on beer and food tasting/ pairing in a special educational session led by Ragnar Fridriksson, Managing Director of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs).

Renuka Indrarajah, Corporate Affairs & Legal Director of HEINEKEN Malaysia (on the left), said, “We are committed to be the leading brewer of inspirational brands, enjoyed anytime, anywhere. Whether it is a reunion of old friends or building new connections, beer represents the human desire to cross borders, share, and celebrate. This year, at the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018, we are showcasing good food with great beers and ciders. We believe the accentuating notes and flavours of our portfolio make a good meal great. With this event, we hope to share a whole new way of experiencing beers and ciders with the infused recipes featured by our outlet partners.”

During the session, Fridriksson shared: “Pairing beer with food is one of the best ways to enhance and elevate any meal experience, and it opens a whole new way of balancing and contrasting flavours on the palate. There are some rules to pair beer and food, which links a particular beer style to a dish or an ingredient. Beer can contribute to an unforgettable, authentic culinary experience with its rich heritage, natural ingredients, and history.”

HEINEKEN Malaysia also invited several of its restaurant partners to demonstrate the best of beer and food pairing, as well as beer-infused recipes. WIP and Goa presented various dishes from their respective menu paired with HEINEKEN Malaysia’s range of lagers, stouts, and ciders.

WIP paired Smoked Honey Duck Salad with Strongbow, Madras Mutton Curry with Heineken® and Moroccan Lamb Stew with Guinness while Goa paired Mutton Floss Mantao with Heineken®, Butter Chicken with Strongbow and Goan Beef Cutlet with Guinness.

As for beer-infused recipes, Rockaway Grill + Bar introduced their signature Scottbluff Smoked Veal Wild Boar with Strongbow Honey BBQ, which was prepared using a combination of Heineken®, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Strongbow Gold, and Apple Fox. Meanwhile, Rock Bottom Kitchen + Bar presented the special Paulandaise Pan-Fried Salmon, which used Paulaner Beer as part of the recipe.

For dessert, The Ice Cream Bar (yes the one in Desa Sri Hartamas which makes lovely ice cream with alcohol) made a Strongbow Gold Apple Cider Sorbet and a Milk Chocolate Guinness Ice Cream. These flavours will be permanent offerings at their outlet in Desa Sri Hartamas, and were also given out during a sampling session at HEINEKEN Malaysia’s booth from 2:30pm-3:30pm during the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018.

Scottbluff Smoked Veal Wild Boar with Strongbow Honey BBQ from Rockaway Grill + Bar Restaurant

Pan Fried Salmon with Paulandaise Sauce by Rock Bottom Kitchen + Bar Restaurant

Mutton Floss Mantao pairing with Heineken, Butter Chicken pairing with Strongbow, and Goan Beef Cutlet pairing with Guinness by GOA

Moroccan Stew Lamb pairing with Guinness by WIP Restaurant

Smoked Honey Duck Salad pairing with Strongbow by WIP Restaurant

Strongbow Gold Apple Cider Sorbet and Milk Chocolate Guinness Ice Cream by The Ice Cream Bar

For more info, head over to https://www.facebook.com/HeinekenMalaysiaBerhad/

Photos courtesy of Heineken Malaysia. Video is author’s own.

Worldchef’s Congress & Expo 2018

Since I was at the Worldchef’s Congress and Expo for the Heineken event (above), I took the opportunity to check out the other exhibitors. There was everything from chefs’ uniforms to kitchen knives and equipment like ovens and grills, to fresh produce, as well as foodstuff and ingredients!