MIGF 2013 FULL AWARD WINNERS LIST - Malaysian International Gourmet Festival 2013

MIGF 2013 FULL AWARD WINNERS LIST

SPECIAL FESTIVAL AWARDS

Golden Cauldron Award for the Best All-Round Restaurant 2013
The Golden Cauldron Award is given to the restaurant that, in the opinion of the judges, is the best all-round restaurant of the Festival. Marks are given for the standard of cuisine, the enthusiasm and creativity of the chef, kitchen, service and entire restaurant team and the overall service.

THE FINALISTS:
Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Lafite

Marini’s on 57

Mandarin Grill

Tanzini

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

THE WINNER:
The Restaurant

SPECIAL FESTIVAL AWARD
Outstanding Festival Achievement Award
Recognising the organisation or individual who has been outstanding in contributing extensively to the success of this year's Festival.

(Mr Benjamin Zahn, Hotel Manager of The Westin KL, accepting the Award on behalf of Mr Martin Jones)

OVERALL WINNER:
Mr. Martin Jones – Starwood Group

SPECIAL FESTIVAL AWARDChef Congeniality
This award is presented to the most amiable and admired chef of the Festival, as voted by his or her fellow chefs.

OVERALL WINNER:
Chef Alexander Waschl, The Restaurant

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Best Festival Offers

This award is given to the restaurant that had the best Festival offers, ranging from discounts to overnight stays and spa offers.

THE WINNERS:

Chakri Palace

Five Sen5es

Kiraku Japanese Restaurant

Lai Po Heen & Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental KL

Qba Latin Bar & Grill

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Best Value Menu Of The Festival

Marks were awarded for choice and variety of food in relation to the Festival Menu price.

THE WINNERS:

Bunga Emas

Kelantan Delights

Kiraku Japanese Restaurant

Seasonal Tastes

Tanzini

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Creative Menu 

Marks are awarded for originality, creativity, composition and wine-pairing.          

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Grill 582

Lafite

Marini’s On 57

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Olive

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Best Marketed Restaurant 

Recognising the restaurant that made the best effort to publicise it participation in the Festival and the Festival in general.          

THE WINNERS:

Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

Resorts World Genting

Tarbush

The Restaurant

The Royale Chulan KL

The Westin Kuala Lumpur

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Outstanding Dining Experience 

The judge's choice for the most memorable dining experience.

THE WINNERS:

Imperial Rama & LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Lai Po Heen & Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental KL

Marini’s On 57

Midori & Tuscany, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

Seasonal Tastes

The Restaurant

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS (At The Gala Launch) - 

Six Gold Awards in each category

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Creative Restaurant Station at the Gala Launch

The restaurant that, in the view of the judges, showed the most creative flair and originality in its restaurant display at the Gala Launch.

THE WINNERS:

Five Sen5es

Kelantan Delights

Lafite

Lai Po Heen & Mandarin Grill, Mandarin Oriental KL

Midori & Tuscany, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Creative Food Presentation at the Gala Launch

Rewarding the restaurant that presented the most creative cuisine.

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Five Sen5es

Kelantan Delights

Marini’s On 57

Minori Japanese Restaurant

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Innovative Cuisine at the Gala Launch

Noting the brave restaurant serving cuisine that inspired the palate.
 

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Kelantan Delights

Lafite

Minori Japanese Restaurant

Nook

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

JUDGES’ CHOICE
Most Outstanding Cuisine at the Gala Launch

For the most outstanding cuisine at the Gala Launch, marks are awarded for taste, food, presentation, quality and creativity.
 

THE WINNERS:

Bunga Emas

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Lafite

Mandarin Grill

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

DINERS’ CHOICE AWARDS - Six Gold Awards in each category

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Service Team 

Diners rate and recognise the Restaurant Managers and their teams.
 

THE WINNERS:

Lafite

Mandarin Grill

Midori & Tuscany, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

Seasonal Tastes

The Olive

The Restaurant

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Cuisine

Marks awarded for taste, presentation, quality and creativity.
 

THE WINNERS:

Lafite

Mandarin Grill

Marini’s On 57

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

Tanzini

The Restaurant

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Dining Experience

The award is given to the restaurant that impressed Festival Diners the most with its overall dining experience.
 

THE WINNERS:

Imperial Rama / LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Marini’s on 57

Midori & Tuscany, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

Seasonal Tastes

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

DINERS’ CHOICE AWARDS - 

Six and Eight* Gold Awards in each category

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Canapes 

Recognising a memorable pre-dinner experience.
 

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Seasonal Tastes

The Olive

The Restaurant

Tuscany & Midori, Putrajaya Marriot Hotel & Spa

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Soup 

Noting the soup that teased the taste buds.
 

THE WINNERS:

Blu Med – Creamy Foie Gras Soup with Sweet Corn Espuma

Chakri Palace – Gaeng Leang: Wid Spicy Soup with Thai River Fish

Dynasty – Lobster Bisque, Ocean Treasure, Bird’s Nest and Truffle

Imperial Rama – Stewed Fish Maw with Yellow Fungus Soup

Lai Po Heen – Double-boiled “Mingmu” Fish Essence: Ginseng, Black Chicken, Fish Maw, Baby Cabbage

The Olive – Truffle Cappucino: Chicken Essence and Candied Almond

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Appetiser 

This appetiser just whetted diners’ appetites for more.
 

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie – Green Pea Jelly, Grilled French Brittany Blue Lobster, Hokkaido Scallop Toast, Vegetables and Light Hollandaise Sauce

Imperial Rama – Mantis Prawn with Passion Fruit Salad

Seasonal Tastes – Velvety Foie Gras Terrine, with Fig Marmalade and Port Wine Sauce on Toasted Brioche

Tanzini – Hokaido Scallop with Crispy White Bait

The Restaurant – Salmon Carpaccio

TEN Japanese Fine Dining – Teppan Grilled Seafood marinated in Sake Malt and wrapped in Pate Filo

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Starter 

The most excellent start to a meal.
 

THE WINNERS:

Grill 582 – Foie Gras Mousse, “Avruga Caviar”, Smoked Olive Oil

Kiraku Japanese Restaurant – Duck Liver Kira Kira

Lafite – Seabass and Oyster Tartare with Caviar, Tomato Vinaigrette and Beetroot Coulis

Marini’s On 57 - Aragosta e Burrata: Normandy Blue Lobster, Burrata Cheese and Lobster Emulsion

Tanzini – Cold Smoked Muscovy Duck Breast, Cold Tossed Cappelini in Truffle Essence and Avruga Caviar, Braised Lotus Roots

The Restaurant – Foie Gras Crème: Foie Gras, Duck Roll, Granny Smith Apple

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Entrée 

Celebrating that delightful dish between courses.
 

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie – Oven Roasted Tasmanian Rump of Lamb, Piquillos Domes, Provencal Short Jus

Imperial Rama – Braised Abalone with Morels in Superior Brown Sauce

L’TITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge – Josper Grilled Wagyu Beef with Herb Jelly, Quinoa Risotto and Cream

Lafite – Dover Sole Filet Grenobloise, Fresh Spinach and Seaweed Butter

Marini’s On 57 – M57 Carbonara: Uovo di Parisi, Pasta Monteverde Carbonara & 32 Month Aged Parmiggiano

Minori – Sanma Sushi, King Crab Geratan, Salmon Saikyo Yaki, Tsubugai Umani, Foie Gras Ponzu, Grilled Nuts, Ginkgo Nut, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Japanese Yam & Persimmon

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Main Course*

The piece de resistance - we celebrate the best!
 

THE WINNERS:

Lafite – Wagyu Beef Tournados Rossini with Truffle Reduction

Lai Po Heen – Australian Deep Sea Abalone Braised in Superior Oyster Sauce, Quail Egg, Stir Fried Cauliflower

Mandarin Grill – Char Grilled Australian Wagyu Sirloin MS 10+ & Guinness Braised Beef Cheek Angelotti

Marini’s On 57 – Gnudi Toscani: Ricotta Cheese & Spinach Gnudi, Fresh Butter Sage & Black Truffle

Prego – Cod Fish with Green Pea Sauce, Potato Mushroom and Shellfish Reduction

Tanzini – Seared Tajima Wagyu Tenderloin, Pineapple-Potato Terrine, Spinach, Wasabi-Foie Gras Marmalade

TEN Japanese Fine Dining – Marble Score 10+ Wagyu Beef Cheek and Grilled French Foie Gras marinated in White Miso with Red Wine Sauce and a hint of Red Miso

The Restaurant – Smoked Rack of Lamb & Confit Lamb Shoulder

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Dessert* 

This is the best of the sweet delights.
 

THE WINNERS:

Arthur’s Bar and Grill – Coconut Macadamia Nut Tart, Butterscotch Ice Cream and Thick Chocolate Sauce

Blu Med – Fondant Chocolate Blu Med Style

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie – Lady Gla Gla: Violet, Hazelnut, Chocolate

L’TITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge – Chocolate Sphere with Mascarpone Mousse, Bailey’s Coffee Ice Cream and Warm Chocolate Sauce

Mandarin Grill – Grand Cru Varlhona Tasting: Jivara Poached Chocolate Pudding, Guanaja Sorbet, Ivory Chocolate-Raspberry Mille Feuille

Marini’s On 57 – Sicily Tradition: Almond Milk. Orange Sorbet and Lemon Tart

Prego – Tiramisu in Tuille: Tiramisu Mousse served in Tulip Cup

The Restaurant – Ultimate Chocolate Brownie, Ice Milk Mousse, Nougat Ice Cream, Berries

DINER'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Wine Pairing 

The wine that went best with the cuisine.
 

THE WINNERS:

LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Lafite

Prego

Qba Latin Bar & Grill

Samplings On The Fourteenth Restaurant

Tanzini

Diners’ Choice Awards - 

Six Gold Awards in each category

DINER'S CHOICE
Best Value Menu 

Marks were awarded for choice and variety of food in relation to the Festival Menu price.
 

THE WINNERS:

Arthur’s Bar & Grill

Five Sen5es

Kelantan Delights

Lai Po Heen

Nerovivo

The Olive

DINER'S CHOICE
Best Restaurant Ambience

The restaurant that most impressed diners with its setting.          
 

THE WINNERS:

LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Mandarin Grill

Marini’s on 57

Qba Latin Bar & Grill

The Olive

The Restaurant

DINER'S CHOICE
Best Use Of The Festival Theme

This award is given to the participant that created the most memorable ambience at its restaurant in conjunction with the theme “Cool Chefs!"
 

THE WINNERS:

LTITUDE Restaurant, Bar & Lounge

Marini’s on 57

Midori & Tuscany, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel & Spa

Seasonal Tastes

Tanzini

The Restaurant

People’s Choice (At The Gala Launch) – 

Six Gold Awards in each category:

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Most Creative Restaurant Station at the Gala Launch
This award is given to the restaurant that, as voted by the Gala Launch attendees, showed the most creative flair and originality in its restaurant display at the Gala Launch.

THE WINNERS:

Arthur’s Bar & Grill

Kelantan Delights

Kiraku Japanese Restaurant

Lai Po Heen

Minori Japanese Restaurant

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Most Creative Food Presentation at the Gala Launch
This award goes to the restaurant with the most unforgettable presentation.

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Kelantan Delights

Nook

Tanzini

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Most Innovative Cuisine at the Gala Launch
The winner is the restaurant that is fearless in its cuisine, creating delicacies that inspire the palate.

THE WINNERS:

Cuisine Gourmet by Nathalie

Marini’s on 57

Nook

Tanzini

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Most Outstanding Cuisine at the Gala Launch
Recognising the restaurant with the most outstanding cuisine - in terms of taste, food, presentation, quality and creativity.

THE WINNERS:

Marini’s on 57

Minori Japanese Restaurant

Nook

Qba Latin Bar & Grill

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

The Restaurant

Taste MIGF

Taste MIGF
Most Popular Restaurant at Taste MIGF

Awarded to the restaurant that sold the most Taste Tokens during Taste MIGF 2013.
 

THE WINNERS:

Lai Po Heen

Mandarin Grill

Minori Japanese Restaurant

Tanzini

Tarbush

TEN Japanese Fine Dining

Introduction

Now into its 13th successive year, the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival made its debut in September 2001 with an intrepid band of 13 restaurants from Kuala Lumpur taking part in the inaugural KL International Gourmet Festival (KLIGF).

From the onset it was obvious that fine dining restaurants could not flourish on tourist receipts alone. What was needed before anything else was a strong base of local diners. However, a decade ago most Malaysians perceived fine dining restaurants as being poor value, high priced and stifling. While they enjoyed eating out, their overriding preference was for the traditional no frills restaurants and hawker stalls.

It became clear that to popularise fine dining, it had to appeal to a lot more people. It needed to provide better value and be better marketed with an emphasis that paying the extra for a pleasant fine dining ambience, high quality cuisine and first class service was well worth it. And to attract new diners the whole experience had to be far less intimidating, more relaxed and a lot more pleasurable. These observations were what shaped the Organiser’s approach to the Festival.

That maiden Festival in 2001 was initiated in response to the industry's need for zest and a rejuvenation of the then very obscure fine dining scene. Though Malaysians have always enjoyed dining out, their overriding preference was for traditional restaurants and hawker food. Only a few fine dining restaurants existed for the simple reason there was not a large enough base of local diners to draw upon.  

Each year from then on, during the Festival, restaurants put aside their competitive differences, share contacts and come together in a collective marketing effort. Rather than bringing in chefs from abroad for a one-off food promotion, the Festival’s unwavering focus is on the skills of the world-class chefs already residing in Malaysia and the all-year-round quality of our cuisine and restaurants.