A Venezuelan Gastronomic Festival
Every year, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Malaysia would organize a Venezuelan Week to showcase the arts, culture and cuisine synonymous to their heritage and traditions. This year, however, is more special as Venezuela commemorates its bicentennial celebration, marking two centuries of independence and freedom from colonial oppression. In case you didn’t know already, Venezuela is a country on the Northern coast of South America, and one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America. Among the activities arranged during the week are Venezuelan dance workshops, charity Bazaar and a Gastronomic Festival, which is the highlight of this event.
Talented Venezuelan singer and dancer
The Gastronomic Festival is held in joint partnership with Berjaya Group, giving Malaysians a chance to sample authentic Venezuelan cuisine prepared specially by Chef Carmen Rawstron, a Venezuelan who also launched a recipe book entitled “My Venezuelan Cuisine”.
Graceful dancers
I was lucky to be invited to the launch of the Venezuelan Week held on the 14th floor of Berjaya Time Square, starting with a few glasses of wine and cocktails. The humble ambassador His Excellency Manuel Guzman warmly welcomed us and gave us a long speech about how he believed the Venezuelan week would reinforce the ties between Venezuela and Malaysia through culture in its widest sense.
Free flowing beer
Signature Venezuelan cocktail with rum
H. E. Manuel Guzman
Guest Chef Carmen Rawstron
Launch of “My Venezuelan Cuisine” – available at Samplings Restaurant, Berjaya Times Square
The official launch of the week was marked by the breaking of an ice-sculpture to reveal the Venezuelan Week plague.
Ice-sculpture
Launching ceremony
We then had the chance to sample Venezuelan cuisine at Samplings on the Fourteen Restaurant, a restaurant that towers over the skyline majestically in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The view from here is amazing!
Salted butter
Sesame bread
Red wine
The soup that night was Cream of plantains with almond crisps, which surprisingly tasted very similar to dhal curry, except that it’s slightly sweet. I liked the addition of almond crisps on top of the creamy soup, giving it a nice bite and crunch. The use of plantain (bananas) in a soup was a really refreshing idea to me, giving the soup a slightly sweet aftertaste as well as a starchy texture.
Cream of plantains with almond crisps
Mains was Spotted sting ray & plantain pie with coconut sauce with mixed salad and pineapple. Again, the use of plantain was spotted here, explaining the prominence of this fruit in Venezuelan cuisine. The spread of mixed salad was colourful with ripe and sweet fruits, while the pie was quite unique with a distinct tinge of sweetness from the addition of a plantain slice on top.
Spotted sting ray & plantain pie with coconut sauce with mixed salad and pineapple
Last but not least, dessert was Soursop cake, because soursop is a native plant to Venezuela. How very apt!
Soursop cake
It was a night of fun, food and exposure to the Venezuelan culture and people. This annual affair is definitely here to stay judging from the warm response it has received for the past years!
Samplings on the Fourteen, Berjaya Times Square
Some of the gastronomic activities to look out for during the 6th Venezuelan Week:
Venezuelan Party on 23rd April 2011
Time: 9pm to 2.30am
Venue: Modesto’s @ CapSquare
Contact: 03-2697 4020/4021
Venezuelan Gastronomic Festival from 20th April to 8th May 2011
Venue: Samplings on the Fourteen Restaurant, Berjaya Times Square
Contact: +603-2117 8131
Venezuelan Mother’s Day Celebration on 8th of May 2011
Venue: Samplings on the Fourteen Restaurant, Berjaya Times Square
Contact: +603-2117 8131
Comments (24)
wonderful night! the soursop cake looks so simple but its kinda tempting me!! >.<
Caroline recently posted..Italian Foods at Silverspoon Trattoria @ Bandar Manjalara- Kepong
The simplest food is usually the yummiest hehe..
i remember you were there last year for the event also.. wow, i like how they use the ingredients with creative dishes.. plantain soup, sting ray pie and soursop cake, very interesting~~
[SK] recently posted..15042011 指環留香
You’re right! I was there indeed last year.. and the use of plantain was quite apparent too. Unique dishes really!
wow, those desert, I want that sesame bread. Looks really delicious swetie.
It DOES look good! Plenty of sesame seeds on top!
That plaintain soup looks interesting. Although we’ve only been in South America for 2 days and I’m getting a little stick of plaintain already, lol.
jill- Jack and Jill Travel The World recently posted..Celebrating Small Victories in Cartagena
So they really use a lot of plantain in South America?
Looks like a fine dining with wining.. great photos here, sweet witch!
claire recently posted..Before And After ME
Thanks Claire!
great event for those of us who will probably never have the chance to personally visit venezuela! interesting use of stingray compared to the malaysian preparations for stingray
Sean recently posted..T42 @ The Intermark
Yes in fact, I wouldn’t know it’s sting ray if I didn’t look at the menu
So glad you got an invite to this, and so great to see you sampling food from Venezuela.
Hopefully there will me more Venezuelan places to eat in KL for the future!
If there’s an Argentinian beef place, you have to go!!
Dave from The Longest Way Home recently posted..How not to take a photograph at Batu Caves in Malaysia
Never had anything South American before. The nearest, I guess, would be Mexican, up north… Food looks great.
suituapui recently posted..No longer…
This is so healthy! First time fine dine till so healthy … lolx
email2me recently posted..Malaysia Airlines Enhances Customer Experience With Its New AIRBUS 330-300
Hehe healthy and pretty!
nicee.. i like!
ken recently posted..1Malaysia E-mail Project Preview
Thank you!
All I can say is that….these are gourmet food that only a few can taste. Wow…
tekkaus recently posted..Seafood Galore Buffet Dinner At Philea Resort
You can taste too! Come to KL la
It’s nice night package to all
Very interesting event Mei. Glad to know you’re exploring the various foods from the world over and the best part, here in Malaysia! On a comical note, when I saw the picture of the singer, I thought she was an Indonesian Dangdut Singer… but its all good when reading the caption.
David
David @ MalaysiaAsia recently posted..Bai Chay Tourist Wharf in Halong Bay
Ooh thank goodness for the caption!
And it’s good that Malaysia can be the food hub for international cuisine indeed 
Good package to all the people
At the time, each and every picture would be looking too good 