The month long Malaysia International Gourmet Festival drew to a sumptuous and spectacular close on 9 December 2008 at a magnificent Grand Finale Dinner prepared by Chef Roy Wong in the magnificent surroundings of the Palace of the Golden Horses.

The glittering Oscar style awards ceremony, in the presence of the Royal Guest of Honour, Her Royal Highness, DYMM Tuanku Najihah binti Tunku Besar Burhanuddin, The Tengku Ampuan of Negeri Sembilan and the Festival Royal Patron, YAM Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Tuanku Ja’afar, Tunku Laksamana of Negeri Sembilan, was attended by some 1,000 guests representing the who’s who of Malaysian society.

The Festival tagline ‘Chef Attack’ inspired a fantastic launch gambit of a shadow theatre display of kung fu chefs attacking each other with chopsticks and ladles, and showing off their martial art moves behind a big screen on stage. The gambit ended when the screen dropped and revealed the sporting Royal Patron, Tunku Naquiyuddin and Organising Chairman, YBhg Dato’ Steve Day both dressed in full chef’s regalia, which had the guests in stitches of laughter. The Festival Master Chefs then came charging out from backstage shouting ‘Chef Attack!’ as they popped champagne and handheld confetti with the song ‘Everybody Loves Kung Fu Fighting’ playing in the background. 

With a star studded guest list, a surprise troupe of acrobats from Genting Highlands and songs by Le Figaro - three wonderful tenors from Australia – which interspersed bids in the traditional Chefs’ Charity Auction and the Festival Awards ceremonies, the evening was certainly a Festival highlight to remember.