THE Penang International Food Festival (PIFF) 2019 got off to a wet start but fortunately it turned out well as thousands thronged Beach Street to savour numerous delicious food the state is known for.
A downpour threatened to spoil the event and just before the official opening by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, it turned into a drizzle to the relief of the organisers and participating food operators.
Chow, in his speech, said since George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Penang has been experiencing an influx of tourists. The Penang International Airport received 1.5 million total passenger movement then but 10 years later in 2018, the airport recorded a staggering 7.8 million total passenger movement.
“This is the testimony of the growth of Penang tourism and I want to assure everyone of the state government’s support in ensuring that Penang continues to be the destination of choice for tourists from Malaysia and from overseas,” Chow said.
“In Penang, we are accustomed to the prevalent choices of culinary delights because we are a melting pot of sorts for different cultures. This makes us unique because while we might differ in certain ways, we are all bound together through our common love for good food.
“From char koay teow to assam laksa, from nasi lemak to ayam rendang, satay to putu piring, there’s just something different but tasty for everyone and no one is left out in the race for good food. The Penang International Food Festival is testimony to this fact!”
Chow ended his speech by telling the visitors to enjoy to their hearts content not only the food but the quality time spent together with their family, friends and loved ones.
“At the end of the day, it is a great blessing to be with people who are dear to you in a peaceful and vibrant state of Penang. This is the very essence of my vision Penang2030 in which we all live in a family-focused green and smart state that inspires the nation.”
Also present were Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee, state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage (PETACH) Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Japanese Consul General in Penang Shinichiro Kanoya and his wife, Batu Lancang assemblyman Ong Ah Teong, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, MBPP secretary Addnan Mohd Razali, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and TLM Event managing director Jack Wong.
Yeoh said the 16-day food festival, which is in its third edition from April 13 to 28, has three major events, namely Street Food Festival, Taste of Penang and Penang Seafood Galore, and mini festivals, food trails, dining experiences, a sharing session and competitions.
This year, he said the festival would shine a spotlight on some of the state’s under-represented locations such as Gertak Sanggul and Batu Ferringhi seasides. Gertak Sanggul will see a Food Truck Rally at its beach area on April 18 from 5pm to 10pm while Batu Ferringhi will have a mini barbecue feast at the Golden Sands Resort Beach on April 19 from 5pm to 10pm.
“Our food is a reflection of our unique history, lifestyle, values, and beliefs. The multiculturalism of Penang has developed a rich diversity in our food. Everywhere you go, you will find restaurants, markets, and street stalls serving a mix of Malay, Indian, Thai and Chinese cuisines,” Yeoh said.
Before the launch got under way, two roti canai experts treated the crowd with their skilful display of spinning and flinging the dough to set the mood going.
The simple launch later ended with a brief but spectacular display of fireworks.
An array of local food and drinks were available such as roti canai, mee sotong, keropok lekor, roti jala, ikan bakar, popiah, muar chee, rojak, ban cheng kuih, honey chicken wing, coconut and sugar cane drinks.
Many foreign tourists were among the crowd. One British couple, Paul Digance, 39, and his wife Angela, 47, who hail from Lincolnshire in northeast England, took the opportunity to get a taste of the Penang food recommended by Penang Foodie via online.
“This laksa tastes a bit different that the one I had in Singapore, but it’s nice. My wife finds it spicy, though” said Paul, who is involved in IT software.
“We just arrived in Penang and saw the roads were closed. So, after checking into our hotel, we came out to look for food. We’re fortunate that there is a food festival going on. The squid noodle we had earlier was also lovely.”
Angela, a primary school teacher, chipped in: “We also had deep fried banana. They are amazing. After eating laksa, we’re not finish yet.”
Besides food, the couple also got acquainted with new friends in Chin Wan Ngin, 71, and his wife Yong Ah Peng, 70, who are both locals. They were sharing an oil drum as their table and chit chatting away as they tuck in their respective food.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Nur Afiqah Zainudi and Law Suun Ting
