The Malaysian Insider :: Food
The Malaysian Insider :: Food |
| Michelin to launch restaurant and hotel guide for Brazil Posted: 27 May 2014 09:43 PM PDT Capitalising on the fact that the world is poised to turn its sights towards Brazil for the World Cup next month, one of the world's most authoritative restaurant guides has dispatched a team of inspectors who are currently on a gastronomic reconnaissance mission, exploring the fine dining scenes of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. When it's released in March 2015, the Brazil guide will mark the publication's 25th volume. "The Brazilian gourmet dining scene has been developing steadily in recent years, led by particularly creative chefs," said Michelin director Michael Ellis. "The country has also become a very attractive destination for foreign chefs who are curious to discover products, traditions and cooking styles unlike any other in the world." One of the most anticipated star rankings will, no doubt, be D.O.M. in Sao Paulo, headed by chef Alex Atala, a regular on the gastronomic festival circuit who belongs to the tight-knit fraternity of international chefs like René Redzepi and David Chang. Atala has received no small mountain of praise in the international food community for spotlighting the local, indigenous flavours of Brazilian cuisine and reviving the country's epicurean heritage. One of his menu ingredients, for example, is wild Amazonian ants, which impart the flavours of lemongrass and ginger. D.O.M. is also a regular on The World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking, and this year was named the best restaurant in South America. It landed in seventh spot overall. Likewise, Mani is also a hot ticket in Sao Paulo, and scored a coup when its chef, Helena Rizzo, took the title of World's Best Female Chef by the same organiser. "Spearheading this development, the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo today rank among the world's leading fine dining centres. Both share a creativity, curiosity and cultural openness that constantly nurture one of the world's most dynamic gourmet dining scenes. What's more, the two cities have become 'must' visits in the international culinary landscape," Ellis said. – AFP/Relaxnews, May 28, 2014. |
| Asia’s largest wine expo opens in Hong Kong Posted: 27 May 2014 09:32 PM PDT According to a survey by Vinexpo Asia Pacific, mainland China's wine consumption fell by 2.5% last year, after ten years of uninterrupted growth at a rate of 25% per year. The drop comes as Beijng reins in luxury spending and extravagant banquets, against the backdrop of a slower economy, and an anti-graft campaign backed by President Xi Jinping to root out official corruption. However, show organisers, who expanded the trade fair by 50% in floor space from its last edition in 2012, are adamant there are still strong opportunities for the wine and spirits markets in the region, because of increased demand from a growing middle class. Winemakers and industry executives also say that the economic slowdown will not prevent people from drinking, but the focus may now shift to mid-range wine and spirits. "This is the largest Vinexpo Asia Pacific ever. The markets of South East Asia and China are still booming," Vinexpo chief executive officer Guillaume Deglise said. "There are many markets in Asia where the middle class is expanding and this represents a great potential for the wine and spirits industry," he said. Xavier de Eizaguirre, chairman of Vinexpo, added: "Little did we know two decades ago, Asia led by China and Japan would reach 63% of world's spirits consumption." In 2013, China overtook France as the world's largest consumer of red wine, guzzling more than 155 million 9-litre cases or 1.865 billion bottles that year, according to Vinexpo. But the official austerity drive in China has meant that people are increasingly turning to cheaper wines. "Cheaper wines are selling better because of the anti-corruption campaign. The government did not say you shouldn't drink," said Angel Lee, director of Hong Kong-based wine trading company MBL. Pier Luigi Calcagnile, marketing director of Italian winemaker Caviro, said: "We consider good value for money very important for Asia. Premium wines are important to promote quality but if you want to expand, you need to approach also the middle class." Some 1,300 exhibitors from 31 countries attended the event packed with wine tasting sessions as well as discussion forums for sommeliers, distributors and importers. This year Chinese wine tastings are also a feature, along with a bar showcasing innovative cocktails for the first time, organisers say. French exhibitors make up more than 500 booths, while producers from Italy to New World countries such as the United States are also vying to gain market share. – AFP/Relaxnews, May 28, 2014. |
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