Hennessy is launching the Gala Dinner series, an annual series that celebrates Malaysian ingredients through curated pairings with Hennessy X.O. Each edition will explore the character and culinary possibilities of local flavours alongside the cognac. The first chapter turns to an essential ingredient in Malaysian cuisine: chilli.
South Korean chef Amy Park will bring the ingredient to the table at a one-night-only pairing menu on 12 November 2026 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The collaboration rests on parallels between Hennessy’s savoir-faire and Chef Park’s approach to gastronomy, both shaped by an appreciation for complexity and careful selection. Chef Park draws the comparison through the idea of blending.
“Hennessy expresses its craftsmanship through the art of blending; I express mine through ingredients, techniques and flavour. Just as different eaux-de-vie are blended to build its layers of character, I can take the many expressions of chilli and bring them together through gastronomy to create balance and harmony. When the two come together, it is not simply a pairing of cognac and chilli. It is a meeting of two forms of savoir-faire, each working together to reveal something greater than what we started with.”
Chef Amy Park
Chef Park is known as the “Goddess of Chinese Cuisine” following her appearance on the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars. Her experience working at a Sichuan restaurant in Hong Kong deepened her appreciation of chilli beyond its heat and revealed its versatility through different techniques and preparations. Fermentation, drying, roasting and oil infusion each draw out a different expression of the ingredient, adding layers of flavour, aroma and texture to the plate.
Hennessy X.O was created in 1870 and reflects generations of knowledge, patience and legacy. Its character is shaped by the careful selection and blending of eaux-de-vie, each chosen for its individual qualities and contribution to the final cognac. The eaux-de-vie then come together through time and maturation in oak barrels. Maurice Hennessy created X.O for his circle of friends. It was one of the first cognacs classified as X.O, or “extra old”, because of its extended ageing.
Although chilli is familiar to the Malaysian palate, the curated menu invites guests to experience it beyond its heat. Diners will explore its aroma, flavour and lingering warmth alongside the character of Hennessy X.O. In turn, the cognac adds a deeper layer to the ingredient through its seven distinctive tasting notes:
- Sweet Notes: A warm embrace of the flavours of candied fruit.
- Rising Heat: Rising heat revealing the complex character of eaux-de-vie aged in oak barrels.
- Spicy Edge: A distinct peppery flavour intertwined with a hint of chocolate.
- Flowing Flame: A wave of warmth that grows, crests and then breaks, leaving a robust presence.
- Chocolate Lull: A gradual discovery of the well-rounded flavour of rich, dark chocolate.
- Wood Crunches: A vigorous ebb and flow of oak notes interlaced with vanilla.
- Infinite Echo: Evanescent oak notes, echoing the subtleties of each taste and sensation.
“At Hennessy, craftsmanship is a living tradition, shaped by generations and continually enriched by new perspectives. Chef Park draws on her knowledge of chilli and her thoughtful approach to ingredients to create a pairing that complements the character of Hennessy X.O, allowing guests to discover its distinctive tasting notes through an unexpected culinary pairing. It offers a new way to appreciate the cognac as its depth and complexity meet the many expressions of a familiar ingredient.”
Laura Drozdowski Lot, Marketing Director of Moët Hennessy Southeast Asia
The dinner takes place on 12 November 2026 at The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Hennessy Malaysia’s official Facebook page will carry updates on the journey.
For many diners in Malaysia, chilli is a familiar presence on the plate. That makes this first Gala Dinner an inviting proposition. The menu invites diners to look again at something they already know well, and to notice the aroma, flavour and lingering warmth that can sit behind the heat.
Pairing a cognac with a menu can sometimes feel like a specialist’s pursuit, but the seven tasting notes Hennessy has set out for X.O offer a friendly way in. Candied fruit, pepper, dark chocolate, vanilla and oak are flavours most people can recognise.
Chef Park’s techniques also offer a small lesson in how one ingredient can taste different depending on how it is handled. Fermented, dried, roasted or infused into oil, chilli takes on different qualities each time. Diners may well find themselves noticing those differences in their own kitchens and favourite eateries long after the evening has ended.
The series is also designed to return each year with a local ingredient at the centre of each edition. This first dinner reads as the opening chapter of a continuing story rather than a single event. For those who enjoy discovering Malaysian flavours in fresh settings, the Gala Dinner series something to look forward to every year.
Hennessy Artistry Returns to Kuala Lumpur on 21 November With Music, Art, Food and Dance Under One Roof
Hennessy Artistry returns on 21 November 2026 at Sentul Depot, Kuala Lumpur. It brings Southeast Asian creative voices and international names from fashion, art, food, music and dance into one shared space. Organisers describe it as more than a music festival, inviting audiences to discover different forms of expression and become part of the community.
“Hennessy Artistry has always been about bringing different creative worlds together through the universal language of music. This year, we are taking that vision further by introducing a new dimension to the experience with more opportunities for people to discover, connect and participate. Beyond high-energy performances, guests are invited to do more than experience the culture — they become part of it. By bringing established talents, emerging creatives and communities together on one platform, Hennessy Artistry 2026 celebrates the connections, collaborations and creative expressions that emerge when different worlds collide.”
Laura Drozdowski Lot, Marketing Director of Moët Hennessy Southeast Asia
From international headliners to rising regional talents, two stages will set the rhythm for the evening, with performances, collaborations and genre-crossing sounds.
The Main Stage is headlined by South Korean singer HYOLYN, known for her choreography, vocals and stage presence. She is a former member of the K-pop group SISTAR. She will be joined by international and homegrown acts spanning electronic music and hip-hop:
- Rave Republic, a Singapore-based international DJ duo
- Nils Van Zandt, a Dutch DJ and electronic producer
- DJ Mia, a Malaysian DJ
- Dato Maw, a Malaysian hip-hop artist
Two mystery performers will be unveiled ahead of the event.
The Community Hall stage puts the spotlight on emerging talents shaping Southeast Asia’s music scene, with DJs, rappers and performers:
- Smooth Brain Girly, a rising Malaysian DJ
- Tchuno, a Malaysian DJ specialising in deep grooves and euphoric synths
- Mason Nguyen, a Vietnamese rapper
- Axel Brizzy, a rising Singaporean hip-hop artist
- Yaung, a self-taught Singaporean rap and hip-hop artist
The programme extends beyond the sets. Festivalgoers can try their hand behind the decks at a public DJ Know-How session with Tchuno. They can then watch the Face-to-Face Battle between Smooth Brain Girly and Tchuno. Street dance will also feature, with a special performance by Kid Inn and Lego Sam, followed by an open-style dance battle where participants can compete for the champion title.
The Community Hall also hosts interactive installations, collaborations and lifestyle experiences throughout the event:
- Hennessy Bar: Hennessy cocktails on tap, alongside a curated cocktail menu by Penang’s The Nest, home to two Hennessy MyWay champions.
- The Story House: Ouro, an illuminated installation by spatial artist Kaiyi. Guests can explore the piece and capture their story through an immersive photography experience.
- ButNotReally Pop-Up: Limited-edition festival merchandise, including custom-designed tees, retro MP3 players and squishies.
- Vibe Dining: A reservation-only culinary experience with a specially created menu by Eat and Cook.
- Sephora x Hennessy Glam Bar: On-site glam stations to refresh a festival look.
- Create Your Mix: An interactive digital mixing experience where guests can curate their own custom mix.
- Recharge Lounge: Hydration stations, complimentary hand and shoulder massages and charging facilities for a break between sets.
Event and ticket details
Hennessy Artistry takes place on Saturday, 21 November 2026, from 4 p.m. to midnight at Sentul Depot.
Entry comes with the purchase of selected Hennessy bottles. One bottle of Hennessy V.S.O.P (70cl) comes with two general admission tickets. One bottle of Hennessy X.O (70cl) comes with four general admission tickets.
Selected ticket holders will also stand a chance to win a VIP Table at the event or 3-Day VIP Passes to EDC Phuket in Thailand in December 2026. The festival in Phuket runs from 18 to 20 December.
Updates on giveaways, surprise drops and line-up reveals will be shared on Hennessy Malaysia’s official Facebook page.
The event is strictly for non-Muslims and individuals aged 21 and above. Please drink responsibly.
Photos and visuals by Hennessy.
