I am extremely thrilled as this is my very first post of Penang's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa and Golden Sands Resort on a event that is celebrated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts worldwide.
So what's the hype that is taking place? "Rooted in Nature" is a culinary sustainability initiative where chefs of Shangri-La celebrate nature's bounty with special menus and dining events. The hotels will recognise the farmers, fisherman and ranchers from small farms in Maldives to fishing villages in Malaysia that make dining at Shangri-La not only delicious, but also sustainable.
Special Rooted in Nature events and promotions are taking place at all Shangri-La and Kerry hotels will highlight sustainable sources of produce, fish and meat that can be found on the hotel's menu year-round and celebrate the purveyors who responsibly steward the land and sea to provide Shangri-La chefs with the best possible ingredients. Dishes on offer will include produce and herbs grown on hotel grounds, locally sourced organic vegetables and fruits, line-caught fish, free-range poultry and beef, honey from a hotel's own beehive and more.
We were invited to a trip over to the waters of Pulau Jerejak to visit their local seafood supply partner, GST Group. I know when you saw GST, you thought of the recent implemented Goods and Service Tax but it's not haha...
"We will be offering a sustainable menu highlighting sustainable seafood and free-range chicken as our main ingredients. The local partners we are working with are GST Group for seafood and AyamPlus for chicken. Locally sourced seafood and free-range chicken will be offered to our guest in line with our 'Rooted in Nature' theme," said Mr Suleiman Tunku Abdul Rahman, director of communication at both resorts.
The super friendly Mr Suleiman giving us a short briefing before our departure. |
Onboard to GST Group |
According to the source taken from GST Group, the term sustainable means :
- Fished from fish stocks which are not overexploited and with selective and low impact fishing gears.
- Farmed without impacting critical habitat, avoiding pollution, and optimizing water and energy use.
En. Aazif giving us some information on the GST Group fish farm before we started exploring the farm and fishes. |
Among the fishes that you will be able to find there will be the Cobia, Grouper, Giant Grouper, Red Snapper and other variants as well.
One of the interesting highlight will be the Giant Grouper. Well I am certain there are bigger and heavier fishes of the same species around, but this is huge enough to amaze me. Weighing approximately about 17kg and it is only about 2 years old. That is one heavy fish indeed.
Mr. Goh Chin Twan, GST Group Marketing Manager giving all his strength to carry the fish |
You can see how thrilled the chefs of Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa together with Golden Sands Resort to have those fishes in their grip.
The chefs having a great time with the fishes too haha..
Upon arrival at the jetty over the island, we then adjourned all the way up north Batu Ferringhi to the 2 hotel establishments. When we talk about Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, it if famous from various aspects. From friendly staff, to cozy comfy rooms, beautiful garden and beach as well as excellent food.
At Spice Market, Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa; we were treated to the first item which was the Double-Broiled Free-Range Chicken. I'm not really a big fan when it comes to soup, but I must admit that this soup is really good. The taste from the chicken, especially the quality herbs used makes this soup rich in flavours and taste.
We were presented with such heavenly dishes consisting of fish. The dishes prepared were the Steamed Pearl Garoupa with Superior Sauce, Red Snapper Curry Fish, Red Snapper 3 Rasa, Grilled Garoupa and Nyonya Style.
A very local flavour where the fish in cooked in rich flavours of curry and spices.
It may look like some kind of pizza, doesn't it? Fresh fish cooked the italian way.
The 3 Rasa style of cooking is rather popularly common especially with the Muslim restaurants and this dish come out truly delicious with the combination of ingredients used.
We ended the meal with an excellent dessert which was the special Lemongrass Creme Brulee with Coconut and Pandan Sauce. Oh it was simply irresistible.
The menu at Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Penang's Feringgi Grill and Spice Market Cafe will have special dishes incorporating sustainably sourced ingredients. The participating outlets at Golden Sands Resort, Penang are Garden Cafe and Sigi's Bar and Grill.
And the food did not stop here, we were then invited over to F.I.P Lounge which stands for Play. Interactive.Fun for a cuppa.
Well this is my first stepping foot into the lounge and I must say by just stepping in, one would love the calm, cozy and fun place. There so many interesting things to be done such as the taking photos with the available background and colorful wigs, table games, pool and many other fun stuff.
So how do you identidy Rooted in Nature items on the menu? All you have to do is spot this Pea shoot logo beside the dish description in the menu.
The newest addition and attraction will be the 3D coffee art. Just look at the adorable coffee art that was made. Felt like not drinking it because it was just too cute to destroy it.
Desserts and more desserts! Back at F.I.P I was given the privilege to order something to bite ended up with this rich delicious Black Forest Chocolate Pizza. The thing to have especially if you are a chocoholic. When you have a dessert that is made from good quality chocolate and top notch quality ice-cream, it's the perfect dessert to have,
"Shangri-La is commited to promoting greater trace-ability and transparency of where our food sources come from by working with local and sustainable providers. By 2020, our goal is to serve 75% more sustainably sourced food on our menus," said Peter Finnegan, Shangri-La's group director of food and beverage. "Through the Rooted in Nature dining experience, we invite guest to join us in embracing and celebrating the benefits that sustainable food brings us."
With Shangri-La's Rooted in Nature initiative, the luxury hotel group aims to:
With Shangri-La's Rooted in Nature initiative, the luxury hotel group aims to:
- Support local agricultural and fishing communities,
- Buy chemical pesticide-free local produce,
- Source from free-range livestock and poultry products where possible,
- Acquire sustainably sourced seafood caught through ethical means
- and serve organic and fair trade products indicated by national and local food safety standards.
More information on the local partners:
Thaking Shangri-La and the friendly staffs for hosting with such warm hospitality and also not forgetting the team at GST Group.
Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa
Batu Feringgi Beach, Penang, 11100, Malaysia
T:(60 4) 888 8888 F:(60 4) 881 1800
For more information : Web / FB
Golden Sands Resort
Batu Feringgi Beach, Penang, 11100, Malaysia
T:(60 4) 886 1911 F:(60 4) 881 1880
For more information : Web / FB
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