Archive for October 2011

Mambo King

The Peak, in partnership with Wei-Ling Contemporary and The Gardens Mall, recently hosted an exclusive evening of art and cuisine. On display were the works of renowned Pakistani sculptor Amin Gulgee, encapsulated in a trailblazing exhibition entitled Cosmic Mambo.

Great Expectations

I’ve just returned from the Scottish Highlands, from one of the most amazing weeks of my life, so a round (or three) of golf in Scotland’s legendary courses would definitely rank way up there on any Great British experience. Scotland, undoubtedly, is the birthplace of this great sport and many avid golfers would liken playing at one of the many legendary links here (think St Andrews, Gleneagles, Carnoustie and Royal Troon) to a sacred pilgrimage. It has been said that there are over 500 courses in Scotland alone. And don’t we all agree that choice (and many good ones at that) is a luxury?

Salisbury in Wiltshire has many great things going for it. One would be the awe-inspiring Salisbury Cathedral – certainly one of England’s loveliest. Its construction dates back to 1220 and it boasts a truly remarkable 404-foot spire, which was completed towards the end of the 13th century. For those whose tastes tend to veer towards the fey, Wiltshire is also home to the mystical Stonehenge. Although it’s usually swarming with tourists, there is a kind of otherworldliness about it. 

Pure Pleasure

The word ‘pure’ has always been a favourite of mine. Aside from its usual unsullied connotations, it reminds me of wonderful things in life: the fresh mountain air of the Swiss Alps; a spoonful of jungle honey, newly-collected from a nearby tree and with a remnant fragment or two of honeycomb still embedded in it; the soft yellow of a baby chick; or perhaps even the glass-like waters off a Maldivian atoll somewhere. Which was why I was greatly intrigued when I received an invitation to visit a farm recently.

Conceptualised by Pernod Ricard Malaysia as a soft introduction to its latest Pure Gourmet campaign, we travelled to Jelebu in the neighbouring state of Negri Sembilan where we were shown in situ how certain flowers could be eaten raw for increased health benefits as well as organic plots of fruit and vegetables.

The Confucius Of Fusion Cuisine

Canada’s culinary cognoscente, Susur Lee, the ponytailed, rock star super chef, who inflamed North America’s passion for fusion cuisine, arrives in Kuala Lumpur this month for seven nights of gastronomic excellence as part of Hennessy X.O’s Appreciation Grows series.

Rudyard Kipling might have penned the immortal words, “Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet”, in his famous set of martial songs and poems titled Barrack- Room Ballads, but it’s probably because he was yet to hear of Susur Lee. Global gourmets, though, would, at once, instantly recognise the name as the man who put fusion cuisine on the world map. Wary of the term, Lee is known to refer to it as the ‘F-word’ but it’s clear it is his cooking which put him and, indeed, Toronto, on the world food map.

Electric Drive

The great Sir Henry Royce once said: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.” That unwillingness to back down from any challenge, no matter how daunting, remains even today. Henry Royce, the engineer, together with motoring and aviation pioneer Charles Stewart Rolls saw their passion and enthusiasm give birth to the Rolls-Royce brand in 1904.

The subsequently ethereal names that went into its line of cars were but one of the many instances that set the manufacturer apart from others. From the Wraith, Shadow and Spirit of yesteryear, to the Ghost and Phantom of today, the luxury carmaker has, in the past few years, set out to build a fully electric automobile for the future.

The Diamond Way

From its inception, Caltex, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has taken on the hearts and minds of motorists in its journey with its unique brand of products and working to deliver on great service. That emotive promise continues in its ‘Enjoy the Journey’ campaign, a reinvigoration of its long-standing ideals to continue delivering top-quality products, augmented by pleasant experiences at its stations. Chevron Malaysia Limited’s Country Chairman Jeremy Oh, tells Kenneth Tan about how the Caltex brand’s successes in the past will form the markers for its inspired future.

It's In Her Bag!

It’s not the most well-known fact but one of the key drivers of the British economy is London Fashion Week. Having begun almost three decades ago as an apparel trade show, the biannual event now counts itself as one of the key markers of the international fashion calendar, ranking right up there alongside the fashion weeks of Paris, New York and Rome. The megawatt glamour of fashion, however, seems a world away now as I am walking about Battersea, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, looking out for the entrance to the Anya Hindmarch office. I finally find it, located in what used to be a brewery – discreet and tucked away, with only a sign in the shape of a handbag hanging overhead.

Upon entering the Hindmarch headquarters, the first thing you’d see is a wall mural, bearing the jaunty phrase ‘Everybody needs handbags,” while on another wall hangs a Perspex case containing 132 little coin purses from the nowlegendary ‘Be A Bag’ launch in September 2001. The purses all bear the visage of the great and the good, including British ‘It’ girl Tara Palmer- Tomkinson, Sarah, the Duchess of York, Sheherazade and Zac Goldsmith (when they were still London’s eco-chic, golden couple) and Sting and Trudie Styler’s son, Giacomo.

Kings Of Swing

Whisky aficionados would immediately recognise Johnnie Walker Blue Label as one of the finest blended whiskies in the world. A symbol of exclusivity and excellence, it should then come as no surprise that the final playoffs for the winners of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy in bonny Scotland would prove to be an equally nonpareil experience. Earlier this year, qualifying rounds had been held on the courses of the Klang Valley’s three most prestigious clubs – the Royal Selangor Golf Club, the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club and The Saujana Golf & Country Club.

Hailed as the most prestigious amateur tournament of its kind, the debut of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Trophy naturally attracted a host of high net-worth contenders, with each leg of the Malaysian event seeing full subscription.

Bring On The All-Rounders

Epsom College has long been the choice of education for families living in the wealthy suburban belt of KT17 and KT19, on the south-west fringes of Greater London. On a visit to the college, Kenneth Tan delves into the inner workings of the school to discover the institution’s rhythm, spirit and soul.

Even with the passing of time, some of the fondest memories that still hold are indelibly linked to those happy years in British boarding schools: the glory of sporting success, the elation of successfully navigating exams, the lasting bonds of friendships and the lessons of life – learnt in both pain and joy.

Luxurious Landmark

The opulent glamour of Cartier’s new flagship boutique in Suria KLCC is evocative of its rich heritage and the spirit of Rue de la Paix. Portor marble and gilded bronze in Cartier’s signature Guilloche design frame the ninemetre windows of the street-facing duplex, from which sunlight pours in to flood the sophisticated space with plenty of natural light. Delicate crystal chandeliers and sandblasted oak and bronze hues welcome visitors into the intimate boutique.

Ladies will delight in the palatial femininity downstairs. The intelligent use of hushed pastels ensures the exquisite jewellery rightfully takes centre stage while the plush bridal salon is sure to enthral many a blushing bride. In keeping with its vision of creating the brand’s largest men’s universe in South-East Asia, hints of masculinity are suggested in the expansive setup of the men’s floor. Dark brown leather, hanging pictures and a Santos modern airplane by the man himself exude an air of relaxed formality.