#MiriamReviews

Champions of Anchor Food Professionals Pastry & Culinary Challenge 2018

Saturday, March 31, 2018


Hi merry goers!

Anchor Food Professionals Pastry and Culinary Challenge is back to shape Malaysia's Future Master Chefs! An unrivaled leader in the dairy foodservice industry, Anchor Food Professionals has once again raised the benchmark in the industry by hosting the highly anticipated Anchor Food Professionals Pastry & Culinary Challenge 2018.


The Challenge was a four-day competition starting 13 until 16 March based on three categories namely Culinary, Cake and Pastries. Culinary and Pastry maestros were invited to form the luminary panel of judges with Chef Jean Francois Arnaud MOF serving as the Head Judge in Pastry Category, along with Chef Nazeri Ismail, and Chef Arthur Heng in this category.  In the Culinary Category, Chef Gerhard Albrecht serves as the Head Judge, along with Chef Fami Taufeq and Chef Sabri Hassan.

Linda Tan, Director of Anchor Food Professionals shared that competitions like this are important for the industry as it provides a platform for the sharing of experience and knowledge, nurturing the potential of Malaysia’s future culinary and pastry artisans and elevating the standards of the food & beverage industry. This especially is  stepping stone for amazing young chefs in the country who can reach greater heights with the right encouragement. 


Each day of the challenge will see different contestants from different industries competing in Pastry (13 March; Bakery channel), Cake (14 March for Bakery Channel and 15 March for Hotel Channel) and the newly added Culinary Category (16 March for Hotel Channel). In the Pastry Category the contestants wee required to create a simple croissant and a Danish whereas under the Cake Category each contestant were required to create two types of cakes with Mango and Strawberry themes respectively.

I was invited to witness the finale for the Culinary Category where the theme was Land and Sea of Malaysia with an inculcated twist of Modern French Cuisine. Contestants were required to prepare a 3-course meal based on the theme and criteria given. 

Each dish has to be make full use of Anchor's leading products in the dairy segment namely Anchor Cream Cheese, Anchor Butter Sheet, Anchor Butter, Anchor UHT Milk, Anchor Whipping Cream, and Anchor Extra Yield Cooking Cream. During the Culinary Category, mystery ingredients were revealed which has to be incorporated in both Hot/Cold Starters and the Main Course.


After the grueling challenge, Nigel Walter Lazaroo (The Face Suites, Platinum Victory Resort), Muhammad Ikhwan Bin Mustafar (One IFC Hotel) and Muhammad Khidir Bin Md Augusti (Hotel Istana) impressed the panel of judges and topped the rest with their dishes. 

The winning dishes were really innovative and it amazes me how some of them have really great skills despite having minimal experience working in the industry. Kudos to Anchor Food Professionals for pushing the limit and revealing all these gems in the Food industry!

Til the next challenge,
xoxo
Miriam

#MiriamReviews

Top Attractions to Visit in Sky Avenue Genting Highlands

Thursday, March 29, 2018


Hi merry goers!

If it has been a while since you last visited Genting Highlands, you will be in for a huge surprise! Exciting attractions await at Level 4 of SkyAvenue and you can look forward to dinosaur rides, zombies, oddities and a trick art museum.



While waiting for the theme park to be completed, there are plenty of exciting attractions to provide entertainment for the whole family at Level 4 of SkyAvenue Mall, Resorts World Genting. Once you step into the area, you will immediately be greeted by armored elephants as they welcome you to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Adventure Land. 

No more the small attraction that it used to be as Ripley's Believe It Or Not Adventureland takes it to the next level as children will have the time of their lives as they go on a ride on moving dinosaurs such as the Triceratops and Parasaurolophus. Even the ticketing counter is one of a kind with a massive model of a Trojan horse. The whole area is filled with arcade games perfect for the toddlers.



The PlayTime! Video Games Park promises the best range of cutting edge games for arcade lovers. The Spacetime Squad Virtual Reality game takes it to the next level to give players an out of this world experience.



I gave this a try and oh boy was it exhilarating! Players must try to stay alert whilst a horde of flying evil robot destroyers and their bosses attack from every side and see the avatar annihilate them systematically. Take note, you might look a little silly playing this VR game in the eyes of others. There are tons of other arcade games that have built in 4D experiences which both you and your friends can try at. 

Games are played using a cashless system with the EZiCash card. You just have to top up your card at the main counter and play to your hearts content!


Everyone has surely had a fascination with dinosaurs at one point of time. The Jurassic Research Center is the answer to everyone’s childhood dreams with massive figures of different species of dinosaurs spread throughout the centre such as the Brachiosaurus, the Triceratops or even the sabre-toothed tiger. There is no better way of learning than interactivity and this centre does that best. Visitors will be startled when a Tyrannosaurus Rex magnificently roars as they walk by and witness a strange looking Gigantoraptor rear its head at them which really brings the place to life.




Here, visitors can get up and close with dinosaurs like never before.  There is even a fossil laboratory to study the different specimen models of dinosaur fossils with detailed inscriptions. The exciting highlight is a 4D experience of witnessing velociraptors wrecking havoc in a discovery lab. It's like being on the real set of Jurassic Park. I'm amazed at how realistic each specimen looks like and trust me that there are tons of photos for you to take!



The most thrilling and terrifying attraction of all, Zombie Outbreak is definitely not for the faint hearted. Think you've got the heart to face these zombies? Well you can experience what it is like to be one of the last survivors of a nightmare Zombie Apocalypse. 




Built like a maze, you have to go through the course not knowing what new terror awaits you at every corner. Definite horrors await within with only one way out and no turning back. My experience with this once was more than enough! But for those of you who feel you've got guts, I dare you to go through the Zombie Outbreak.



At the Alive Museum, be prepared to enter a world fun and engaging optical illusion art. With the artwork specially commissioned by artists from South Korea, the skilful brush strokes, careful details and amazing choice of colours result in the wonderful 3D images. You will even spot paintings of famous celebrity figures such as Lee Kwang Soo, Gong Yoo and Song Joong Ki and for the chance to take a photo with them.



I was blown away by the world of imagination created by the murals that cover almost every inch of the space with imaginary scenes such as a UFO and prominent landmarks such as the Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.  The trick art Alive Museum is a must-visit for those wanting to add something special to their social media. I loved the Alive Museum a lot! Definitely great to have a group of friends to go snap crazy photos together.




Those into anything and everything extraordinary will have a spectacular time at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Odditorium. Boasting over 400 exhibits, a cabinet of curiosities including artifacts of lost worlds has arrived at Resorts World Genting for a time of wonderment and interaction.





The bizarre and wacky collection includes the model of a Vampire Woman, Mike the Headless Chicken, and a model of David Beckham’s legs made out of worn-out bills. There is also a fantastic model in commemoration of the World Trade Centre made entirely from matchsticks.


Operation times are from 10.00am to 10.00pm. Prices for the attractions may be purchased separately or in a combo of two or three attractions. Prices vary for standard tickets for adults and children and for Genting Rewards members.

For more information, call +603 6101 1118 or visit www.rwgenting.com.

#MiriamEats

Best Korean Fried Chicken in Subang Jaya

Wednesday, March 28, 2018


Hey merry goers!

Time for a little Korean dining - this time round at Chicken Up Korean Fried Chicken Subang Jaya. I have ton of friends who rave about Chicken Up being the best Korean Fried Chicken in town. Personally, I am not really a huge fan of fried chicken and I am quite picky about my fried food. Before Chicken Up entered Malaysia, everyone flocked to KyoChon even until today. 


Well, I have been to Chicken Up twice previously but have not really been impressed by them. However, I decided to give them another chance after Pancake asked me for lunch at Chicken Up Subang Jaya. Nestled right in front of the SS15 LRT Station, getting to Chicken Up was a breeze. Plus they do have allocated parking spots for their customers so it helps with the parking issue.


We ordered some of their best sellers: Snow Squid Toppoki (RM68) which is one of their best sellers. I can see why especially when it arrived at our table. Right in the centre is a huge deep fried battered squid, surrounded by spicy hot lava. You get some kimchi, corn, fried rice, omelette and cheese at the sides too.


Visually certainly very impactful. The server will assist to cut up the deep fried squid into bite size pieces where you can eat it alongside the Toppoki. There are rice cakes and fish cakes inside the broth which was sweet and spicy. I would recommend not to let the deep fried squid submerged in the Topokki as it will cause it to be soggy. Best to actually ask them to put it aside if you prefer your squid crunchy. Aside that, the overall dish was pretty acceptable and best shared with a group of friends. 


We also ordered their Ugly Tang Stew (RM38) which is the Korean Army Stew with chicken slice, ham, sausage, maccaroni, baked beans, cheese and noodles. A hearty stew that can feed 2 to 3 people. There were quite a lot of ingredients inside the stew which blended well especially after you add in the red pepper paste. 


However, I must say that the star of the meal was their Fried Chicken Wings. Their Signature Wings come in 4 big pieces and you can choose between: Original Crispy, Ganjang (Soya), Yangyum (sweet chili) and Spicy Yangyum (Double the heat). The chicken wings were fried beautifully and the marinate well absorbed. Recommended is their Ganjang or their Yangyum. For those of you who love heat, get their Spicy Yangyum! We finished the chicken wings in no time. 

If you think about Korean Fried Chicken, most people will think of KyoChon since they are quite a major brand but one thing I dislike about KyoChon is... their chicken pieces are rather small and to actually be able to feed a group, you will have to order quite a significant amount. However, the Chicken Wings at Chicken Up is really big and plentiful. Although both Korean Fried Chicken houses uses different sauces, the Ganjang Chicken Wing is on par with KyoChon's blend of sauces. 
  

Besides that, Chicken Up serves a variety of beverages and desserts which reminds you of Korea. Unfortunately on that day, there was a water shortage in Subang so we were unable to try their Melon Bingsu. However, do give their Soju Cocktail a try! Again, visually appealing and taste pretty refreshing too. 


Overall, I had a much better dining experience at Chicken Up Subang Jaya and for Korean Fried Chicken, they do get the seal of approval from me :)

Chicken Up Subang Jaya


7, Jalan SS 15/4,

SS 15, 47500 Subang Jaya,
Selangor.
Te: 017-577 9377
Business hours: 

Mon - Fri: 4PM - 12AM
Sat - Sun: 1130AM - 12AM


#MiriamAds

Plane In The City - Malaysia First Aircraft Dining Experience

Saturday, March 24, 2018


Hey merry goers,

If I were to ask you what are your memories of dining on a plane, what would be the first thing that strikes your mind? What if I told you that you could actually enjoy freshly-prepared meals in an aircraft and be given a private tour of the cockpit after your meal? Say farewell to those memories taking a flight, stuck in a tight space for several hours and eating pre-packed meals. 

This photo of Dinner in The Sky Malaysia is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Say hello to Plane In The City this April, touted to be the next top attraction in Kuala Lumpur! TwoSpicy Entertainment Live, the company behind the immensely popular Dinner In the Sky Malaysia, is set to launch the first of its kind in Malaysia, Plane In The City. 

 This will be a 90-minutes experience revolving around an actual Boeing 737 aircraft, during when its ‘passengers’ will get a chance-of-a-lifetime to do things such as taking a ‘selfie’ while sticking their heads out of the Pilot’s cockpit, walking on the wings of the aircraft, enjoying a fine-dining meal serenaded by today’s hit music and many more. Located at SKYLAND at Jalan Bukit Bintang, one cannot miss the aircraft while driving past, as it stands out against the city’s many skyscrapers.


“We live in an era of experience. Consumers are now demanding newer and more interactive models of products and services. They want to experience different realities and Plane In The City allows them to do just that”, said Arvin Randahwa, CEO of TwoSpicy Entertainment Live who conceived the idea. “This is a great way and place for locals and tourists to treat their loved ones, friends or clients and have an unforgettable outing,” he added.

Sitting only 20 people per session, you will be sure to enjoy an exclusive 3 course or 4 course dining experience (depending on the type of package) by the chefs of Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur. There are three standard packages: Economy Class (RM199/pax), Business Class (RM399/pax) and First Class (RM999/pax). On top of these standard packages, Plane In The City plans to launch celebratory packages such as birthdays and anniversaries plus serving as an event venue fitting up to 60 pax at one time. 

It sure was not an easy task transporting and transforming the decommissioned aircraft used for Plane In The City. From police escorts to multiple cranes, it was a technical and length journey with the help from Dulux and AkzoNobel, the official paint sponsors. Runway lights used around the aircraft are actual runway lights used on airport runways around the world, courtesy of ADB Safegate, airport technology specialists. 


Plane In The City will definitely elevate your dining experience to a whole new level and satisfy the cravings of all your five senses. This is one experience that you DO NOT want to miss out on. So who's with me? For further inquiries, look up www.planeinthecity.com and hurry book your tickets as ticket sales will begin on 26th March 2018.

#MiriamTech

Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ Launch: Park Bo Gum Special Appearance

Tuesday, March 20, 2018


Hey merrygoers!


The much anticipated Galaxy S9 and S9+ are finally here! The launch of Samsung latest flagships was spectacular with the special appearance  of Korean actor and superstar, Park BoGum, that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Through the Galaxy S9 and S9+’s great new features such as Super Slow-mo video recording, the ‘Love in the Moonlight’ prince was on a mission to experience the world in a whole new way with his Malaysian fans.



The Galaxy S9 and S9+ now comes with new AR Emoji, Super Slow-mo and Super Low-light features. These enable consumers to discover and re-imagine a whole new level of visual communication, tailored to their own unique voices. To those who believe that a picture paints a thousand words, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the way to go.

With the arrival of its latest flagships, Samsung continues to innovate and redefine the limitations of technology, giving Malaysians new ways to experience the world. The flagships are well-recognised globally, having received over 30 awards at the recent Mobile World Congress 2018 including “Best New Connected Device” and “Best Mobile VR or AR”.

Camera Reimagined




Today’s cameras are for more than taking pictures – they are for connecting and communicating.
The Galaxy S9 and S9+ cameras are built with these consumers in mind, with a Super Speed Dual Pixel sensor with dedicated processing power and memory to take amazing superior quality shots.

DxOMark, the trusted industry standard for camera and lens image quality measurements, recognises this and given Samsung’s reimagined camera its highest-ever score for combined photo and video rating in a smartphone camera.



Much credit for the S9 and S9+’s high scores should be attributed to their amazing performance under low-light conditions. Similar to the way the iris of a human eye expands and contracts depending on a person’s surroundings, Samsung’s Dual Aperture camera (F1.5 / F2.4) automatically adjusts to its lighting conditions by letting in more light when it is dark through its greater aperture lens (F1.5) or switching to its lower aperture lens (F2.4) under bright light, ensuring that photos taken are crisp and clear.




Apart from that, the popular dual-camera setup is available via the Galaxy S9+ as well, allowing users to continue shooting professional portrait shots with the phone’s ‘Live Focus’ mode.


 Users are also now able to express themselves in brand-new ways, thanks to the S9 and S9+’s AR Emoji and Super Slow-mo features. While Samsung allows users to create an emoji that looks and acts almost exactly like them, the Super Slow-mo function (video recording of up to 960 frames per second) allows users to expand their creativity with utmost fun.





Creating your own emoji is so easy and fun! Express yourselves using lookalike emoji to make communication much more interesting. You just have to capture a selfie of yourself using the front camera and your emoji will be generated automatically. You'll be able to edit how your emoji looks plus there will be 8 stickers premade for you to use.



Furthermore, S9 and S9+ users can now experience the world in a whole new way thanks to a smarter Bixby, integrated into the camera. Bixby is now able to translate foreign languages 1 and currencies instantly by image, provide useful information about your surroundings, and so much more.

Enhanced Entertainment



Smartphones are increasingly becoming our go-to choice for entertainment, which is why Samsung
created a device that offers premium sound experiences with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. The Galaxy S9 and S9+’s audio also support Dolby Atmos, giving the effect of a 360-degree, impressive cinematic sound.




The Infinity Display on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ were given an upgrade as well. Featuring a new, bold, and bright Super AMOLED Infinity Display that looks gorgeous even under direct sunlight, it has received an “Excellent A+” grade by DisplayMate Technologies, the world’s leading evaluator of screens.

A Device that Fits with the Connected Lifestyle



As the first smartphone to support the new SmartThings app, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are the central hub to manage every facet of the connected lifestyle at home, at the office, or on the go. The next-generation Samsung DeX empowers a mobile lifestyle by bringing a large, full-screen experience to the mobile handset.


The redesigned DeX Pad is a new docking system for users to easily connect the Galaxy S9 and S9+ to a larger monitor, keyboard and mouse to expand the mobile experience with enhanced document editing or even full-screen gaming. Users can also transform the Galaxy S9 and S9+ into a Touch Pad with the DeX Pad.

Samsung sets the gold standard for smartphones with IP68 4 water and dust resistance and wireless
charging that goes a step beyond with the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The devices now support expandable
memory of up to 400GB via a Micro SD Card and are equipped with the latest premium application
processors, offering powerful performance and sophisticated image processing.




In addition, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ give users the peace of mind knowing that their phone is protected by Knox 3.1, Samsung’s latest defense-grade security platform. The Galaxy S9 and S9+’s Intelligent Scan feature supports three different biometric authentication options – iris, fingerprint, and facial recognition – so users can choose the way they want to protect their device and applications.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ take health to the next level with an improved optical sensor built directly into the device, providing richer and more accurate information on users’ health status. This sensor allows the devices to keep track of users’ Heart Load Factor, a new measurement of the real-time demand placed on the heart

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be available starting 16 th March 2018 in Malaysia. Offered at a recommended retail price from RM3,299 to RM4,399, it will be available in Midnight Black, Coral Blue and Lilac Purple.  I personally just love the Lilac Purple!

Galaxy S9 (64GB)



64GB (RM3,299)
 Midnight Black
 Coral Blue
 Lilac Purple

Galaxy S9+ (64GB/128GB/256GB)




64GB (RM3,799)
 Midnight Black
 Coral Blue
 Lilac Purple

128GB (RM3,999)
 Midnight Black
 Coral Blue
 Lilac Purple

256GB (RM4,399)
 Midnight Black

To know more about Samsung’s new flagships, the Galaxy S9 and S9+, and their new and innovative
features, visit http://www.samsung.com/my/smartphones/galaxy-s9/.

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