KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysian Embassy in the Hague hosted a culinary event to showcase delectable Malaysian cuisine to its Dutch guests at the Rumah Malaysia in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, last Friday, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote Malaysia as a gastronomic destination.
The event featured Tourism Malaysia’s Ambassador for Food and Culture Chef Ismail Ahmad who demonstrated the preparation of three types of Malaysian dishes – Nasi Ulam (Mixed Herbs/ Salad Rice), Kari Daging (Beef Curry), and Kuih Ketayap (Crêpes with Sweet Coconut Fillings).
Chef Ismail also amazed the guests with his teh-tarik-making skills, a statement from the Embassy sent here said.
Among those who attended the event were Dutch dignitaries, Ambassadors and members of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Association (ASA), ASEAN Ladies Circle, members of the Dutch media, as well as representatives of a local oriental supermarket chain in the Netherlands.
The guests were also treated to a sumptuous luncheon of Malaysian delicacies prepared by Chef Ismail and members of the Ladies Association of the Embassy of Malaysia in The Hague (PERWAKILAN The Hague).
According to the statement, the Embassy has been actively promoting Malaysia as a tourism and gastronomic destination.
Malaysian fruits and food products have entered the Dutch markets and have begun to gain popularity among the locals, it added.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands Nadzirah Osman, in her remarks at the event, said Malaysia is renowned not only for its beautiful landscape, sandy beaches, pristine clear waters, and biodiversity-rich flora and fauna but also for its wide array of culinary treasures.
“These culinary treasures are an important element of Malaysia’s intangible cultural heritage. As a multi-ethnic and multicultural country, Malaysian cuisine tells the stories of Malaysia, its people, culture, and traditions,” she said in the statement.
She added that before the COVID-19 pandemic, gastronomic tourism had generated RM10.5 billion or 13.3 per cent of total tourism revenue in Malaysia.
— NNN-BERNAMA