Food connoisseurs will once again get to immerse themselves in gastronomic heaven at the upcoming 28-day KL International Gourmet Festival (KLIGF).

The culinary extravaganza, which will kick off on Friday and run till Dec 8, boasts the participation of 23 fine-dining establishments, making this year's event bigger than ever before.

Event organising chairman Steve Day said KLIGF celebrates its fifth anniversary this year and hence, was rewarding guests with special Festival Menus at low prices, created by chefs of the participating restaurants.

"We have two objectives for this festival – first, to stimulate and sustain an ongoing interest in Kuala Lumpur's fine-dining scene, and second, to increase the overall pool of fine diners for everyone's benefit.

"We also promote locally based chefs who are of world standard and all-year-round dining, hence guests will also get to experience new festival venues and different types of cuisine, knowing that they can repeat the experience with family and friends throughout the year.

Chefs posing with the official car - the Mercedes-Benz - in the front courtyard of Renaissance KL.

"And, there will be a host of other offers, too," said Day.

He added that after the four previous festivals, city residents had become more familiar with different types of cuisine and were aware that fine dining in Kuala Lumpur was not only fun and unpretentious, but also affordable.

Meanwhile, Visa country manager for Malaysia Jeffrey Perera said the festival title sponsor had lined up a host of exciting offers to treat and share with its cardholders through member banks in Malaysia.

"Exciting offers have been organised for more than 20 top-tier merchant establishments in Kuala Lumpur to offer Visa cardholders as well as our Platinum card members.

"We are also sponsoring the Golden Cauldron Award comprising a RM10,000 cash prize, a challenge trophy and a commemorative plaque to be presented to the overall best restaurant at the grand finale dinner of KLIGF.

"We are proud to be associated to this event once again, this time as title sponsor after being the festival's official credit card last year, to sell Kuala Lumpur through our members within the region and further promote Malaysia as a centre for fine dining," said Perera.

Day said the KLIGF would have a spin-off event – the KL Epicure International 2005 – that will be Malaysia's leading food and wine fair.

"KL Epicure International is a two-day event that will be held on Nov 12 and 13 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. It is everything to do with fine dining – from wine, cigar, and coffee appreciation workshops, to cooking classes and workshops on dining etiquette and the art of mixing cocktails.

"Guests will also be able purchase exotic food, fine wines, exclusive tableware, and other fine-dining accoutrements," he said.

A press conference was recently held at Renaissance KL to which all the master chefs were transported in a double-decker luxury coach, witnessed by guest of honour, Tourism Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Victor Wee.

"This festival is a good branding way on what Malaysia can offer. Food is definitely one of the ways and a tourist attraction and hopefully, more Malaysians will dine out more often," said Wee.

The festival is brought together by official car Mercedes-Benz, official imaging partner Fujifilm, official insurer AXA, co-sponsor Vision Four, official beer Heineken, festival partner AeroLine, media partners The Star, Vision KL, Light & Easy, Astro, and Le Prestige. It is organised by Asia Reach, endorsed by Tourism Malaysia, and supported by DBKL.

For more information, log on to
www.klgourmetfest.com.

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