A decadently decorated staircase leads to The Emperor Chinese Restaurant on the first floor of the Grand Dorsett Subang Hotel. Dressed on the night with white and red ribbons and candles for the Festive Dining series in conjunction with the Malaysia International Gourmet Festival, the Emperor himself, in traditional Chinese Royal Costume harking back to years gone by, awaited at the top to greet guests.

The restaurant itself was also impressively decorated. A little bridge stood a couple of metres inside the door, inviting guests to walk over and maybe toss a coin into the crystal-clear koi pond beneath. Red fabric and Chinese ribbons stretched overhead, punctuated by lanterns as well as little umbrellas with balloons attached under them, providing a warm and cosy ambience to this restaurant turned private dining area for 20.

At the rear was a stage, with a backdrop proclaiming this year’s theme – It’s Raining Chefs! – complete with pictures of chefs holding umbrellas. A six-piece multi-ethnic band was set up on stage, and performed various Chinese and jazzy English ballads throughout the night, the star of which was the female violin player. At one stage, she plucked on the violin strings like a guitar, adding a very oriental feel to the evening.

Dato Abdullah Sani Abdul Karim, Datin Hamida Hassan, Dr Andrea Lim Jyh Hueih and Dr Shaun Alexander Isitt

In the pre-dinner area, an ice sculpture doubled as a wine rack, making for extra-chilled beverages to go along with the Chinese canapés enjoyed by the guests, who included HE Simon Featherstone, the British High Commissioner, and wife Gail Featherstone, Dato’ Fara Khan, President of Melium Aseana Sdn Bhd, and son Mr Karim Khan; Datin’ Jasmine Abdullah and YM Raja Dato’ Nordiana Zainal Shah; and Dato’ Abdullah Sani Abd Karim and Datin Hamidan Hassan.

When all the guests had arrived, host Dato’ Steve Day, Organising Chairman of MIGF, introduced them to General Manager of the Grand Dorsett Subang, Leo Kuscher, and his wife Elizabeth, and then led the way to the two round tables set up specially for this dinner

As soon as everyone was seated, the band started belting out “It’s Raining Chefs”, and a swarm of chefs circled and surrounded the tables, among them new Festival Chef Robin Chuah and the kitchen team. Mr. Kuscher then introduced the entire team, chefs and restaurant to the guests.

Then it was on to the feast, which was a wonder of traditional Chinese delicacies mixed with modern influences. The Emperor Hors d’oeuvre, for one, featured Teow-Chew-style duck breast with scallops paste and a stuffing of katafi garnished with mango and caviar kiwi salsa. This was followed by a Chinese cuisine staple, shark’s fin soup, and an alternative, fish maw soup with crab claw in Chinese saffron broth.

Dr Shaun Alexander Isitt, Mrs Gail Featherstone, H.E. Simon Featherstone, Dr Andrea Lim Jyh Hueih and Puan Zarinah Abdul Hamid

Datin Su, Mr Karim Khan, Datin Jasmine Abdullah, Dato Farah Khan, Mrs Elizabeth Kuscher and YM Raja Dato Nordiana Zainal Shah	Mrs Elizabeth Kuscher, Mr Leo Kuscher, YM Raja Dato Nordiana Zainal Shah and Mr Phillip Schaetz

Dato’ Steve also took the opportunity to make the introductions for his guests in between the courses, eliciting lots of laughs from everyone. The titbits of information also served to bring everyone together as they found out interesting facts about their dinner companions, who also included Dr Shaun Alexander Isitt, Business Development Director of SOGO (KL) Department Store, who was accompanied by Dr Andrea Lim Jyh Hueih; Puan Zarinah Abdul Hamid, Executive Director of FUJIFILM; Ms Winnie Chiu, President of KHI Hotels International, and Mr Phillip Schaetz; and Datin Su Wai Fun, Managing Director of AsiaReach Events.

As the mains were served, conversations flowed smoothly, interjected with murmurs of delight with the prawn paste, morels mushroom and spinach bean curd accompanied with cod on a bed of spinach and lobster bisque garnished with enoki mushrooms, and pan-fried wagyu beef tenderloin with foie gras, accompanied by portobello mushrooms and long-grain rice garnished with crab meat and sun-dried scallop.

Among the fans of The Emperor’s Chinese specialities was Dato’ Abdullah Sani, who said, “The codfish was very good. I enjoy fish tremendously and eat it as much as possible, so I am quite critical when it comes to how it is prepared. This cod was very fresh and very tender and the outstanding dish of the menu for me.”

He also loved the dessert – chilled manuka purple sweet potato purée with coconut ice cream. “It was superb. The sweet potato and coconut matched up perfectly and the presentation was very cool, literally, with the dry ice and smoky effect,” he said.

The sighs of pleasure for the scrumptious culinary offerings were also tinged with regret that such a wonderful evening had to come to an end.

Invited to say a few words, the British High Commissioner commended MIGF for promoting the country’s fine-dining scene. “MIGF has done a wonderful job at marketing the various restaurants involved and in general raising the profile of Malaysia. I do hope the Festival continues well into the future and I look forward to many more dinners and events,” he said. This was also a landmark for MIGF, as it was the first time the British High Commissioner had graced such a Festive Dining series. His Excellency’s speech was eloquent and to the point, thanking all involved for a wonderful time and urging the organising committee to continue with its efforts to highlight Malaysia to the world.

Dato’ Farah, one of the MIGF Festival Advisory Committee members, also gave her closing remarks, commending the decadent decorations and sumptuous food of The Emperor, the opportunity to meet old friends and, in general, a lovely experience.

Indeed, it was an evening fit for an Emperor, or Empress even, with fine dining, fine wine, fine music and fine company.

Dinner was sponsored by Vision KL