G. Kalyan Kumar
Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi-- the leading Five Star Hotel in the capital city unveiled the magic of Nyonya cuisine led by Chef Lai Kuan Geo, hailed as the Asain food Guru. The renowned food expert is also the founder of the Kuan Kitchen Club and is a globally acclaimed pioneer in expanding the popularity of Nyonya cuisine.
Nyonya cuisine, also called Peranakan cuisine is credited to Peranakans, who are descendants of early Chinese migrants settled in Malaysia, Penang, Malacca, Singapore, and Indonesia. Nyonya food blends Chinese ingredients with splendid spices of the Malay and Indonesian communities and is cooked in an amazing style.
In what can be called a hybrid of Chinese and South East Asian culinary elements, the Nonya cuisine or Peranakan interpretations are applauded for their tangy, aromatic, spicy, and herbal qualities.
The Nyonya food event started in Shangri-La Eros Hotel’s Tamra Restaurant on April 5 and is set to conclude on April 16, 2023. The response to the Nyonya food event has been humungous with a steady beeline of food lovers for lunch and dinner programs. Chef Kaun’s Nyonya staples have created an enormous fan base in Delhi NCR like in all other global cities.
Trending food for all tastes
Lai Kuan Geo has won hearts with an array of signature collections at Tamra and his narration with anecdotes about dishes such as Scallop & Seafood cake, Sesame Spring Chicken, 2 Ways Pork Belly, Mushroom in Claypot, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Roasted Bamboo Rice Cakes, Chili Pepper Salt Ocean Basket, Whole Red Snapper Chili Jam, Bosomboh, Chai Kuih, Asam Laksa and Char Kway Teow exclusive to Penang.
Reacting to the huge response to the Nyonya food show, Parinita Samanta, director, Marketing and Communications at Shangri-La Hotels noted that it is the second time Tamra restaurant is hosting Chef Kuan’s Nyonya cuisine with an exciting response from the target audience.
From my personal experience, the cheer-filled ambiance of the night in the company of an array of food writers and critics doubled joy while indulging in the special dishes and drinks including prawn and chicken satay. The spicy, tenderly cooked Satay will heighten the craving of any ardent foodie.
Nevertheless, do not assume that Kuan Geo’s Nyonya cuisine is limited to non-vegetarian fares only; there are yummy choices for vegetarians as well.
Among the non-veg delights include Hainanese chicken rice is a key delight. Kuan made clear that he is very strict about the choice and quality of ingredients and goes by the motto “Be authentic.”
In addition to the standard buffet, Chef Kuan also presented an array of exclusive dishes for the guests. They include bamboo chicken, two-way pork belly, and crispy pork as hugely delectable haunting you with spicy aroma and colors.
Lai Kuan’s special dessert was another super attraction. The amalgam of coconut milk pudding, rice pudding, and fruit broth had Kuan himself excited while explaining the desserts’ health properties as made of natural sweeteners like fruits without excesses.
Chef Lai Kuan born in a Chinese family in Malaysia has three decades of experience as a Pan-Asian Cuisine specialist. He began his culinary journey in Amsterdam in 1989 and helmed culinary operations in many specialty restaurants in different parts of Asia and Europe and South Africa.
At Tamra, the fair pricing of the exquisite lunch and dinner of the Kuan Nyonya food show will also impress; it is in the range of $30 to $40 per person. Shangri –La brand strategy counts heartfelt service as one of the catalysts of growth in its distinctive hospitality experience. The brand is further geared for imaginative, delightful culinary and cultural experiences.
Shangri-La Group runs 90 deluxe hotels and resorts in various parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Sultanate of Oman, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, and the UK.
So, Shangri-La is inviting all food lovers to savor the unbridled flavors of Nyonya cuisine at Tamra, soak in the stand-out signature dishes, enjoy great culinary moments, and carry happy memories and share with your dear ones.
