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Embassy of Malaysia
Paris

PRESS RELEASE

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2/06                                                                                                  27 February 2006      

FRENCH-MALAYSIAN FOOD AND CULTURAL PROMOTION
 IN TOULOUSE, FRANCE

One hundred and twenty-nine final year students from the Taylor’s College School of Hospitality and Tourism Malaysia (TCHT) hosted a French-Malaysian food and cultural show at Toulouse, France, on Thursday, 16 February 2006. The gala dinner cum cultural evening held at the Hotel and Tourism School of Toulouse was part of the students’ practical training during their two-week residency programme co-organized with the University of Toulouse, France. The special event was also held to mark the 20 years of fruitful collaboration between TCHT and its French academic partners namely the University of Toulouse, the Education Academy of Toulouse and the Toulouse Hotel and Tourism School.

The gala event was officiated by the Malaysian Ambassador to France, H.E. Dato’ Hamidah Mohd Yusoff whose spouse, Encik Abdul R. Zabidin, also graced the occasion. About 80 people comprising French and Malaysian VIPs attended the event including M. Jean Daubigny, the Prefect of Toulouse and his spouse; Mr. Christian Merlin, Rector of the Academy of Toulouse and Chancellor of Universities; Mr. Remy Pech, President of the University of Toulouse; Madam Patricia Morel, the Principal of the Hotel and Tourism School of Toulouse; Ybhg. Dato’ Loy Teik Ngan, Managing Director of Taylor’s College Education  Group  and Mr. Pradeep Nair, Chief Operating Officer of TCHT. Three journalists from the Malaysian media namely The Star, The China Press and Nanyang Siang Pau were also present at the event. The gala was a showcase of Malaysia’s rich multi-racial heritage. It was held to foster greater understanding and co-operation between Malaysia and France through culture and gastronomy.

Staying true to its theme, “Celebrating the Finer things in Life” and to promote the strong presence of “Malaysia Truly Asia” the students went out of their way to bring Malaysia and Asia to Toulouse by their performances, exhibitions and food fiesta. The guests were greeted by a myriad of colours of the Bunga Manggar and the students in traditional costumes, along with the sound of the kompang.

As the guests walked through the hall, a mini Kolam, the decorative Indian art work, was displayed together with other traditional handicrafts such as the batik, songket, wau (kites) and the wayang kulit. The students had shown the visitors Chinese calligraphy, hena drawing and sari wearing, and how to play the gasing, congkak and the sepak takraw. Silat and the kite flying performances were staged along with a Malay, an Indian and a Chinese lion dance. 

The air was filled with the aroma of spicy Malaysian food together with a mélange of French cuisine. The food for the dinner was specially created by the Malaysian and French students who also prepared and served the dishes. The menu consisted of  lamb and chicken satay, cream of pumpkin with oysters and foie gras, sole fillet with artichoke, beef rendang and nasi minyak. The dessert was specially created by the students for the event which consist of roti canai with banana and ginger, cinnamon ice-cream and caramel sprinkled with Sarawak peppers!  The mélange of French and Malaysian food presented side by side symbolized the richness and distinctiveness of both countries’ cuisine as well as the strong relationship between both schools and nations. 

H.E. Ambassador and Encik Abdul R. Zabidin as well as other Malaysian guests were accommodated at the Toulouse Tourism School’s hotel managed by the students. Earlier before the event, H.E. Ambassador was also given a guided tour of the magnificent City Hall of Toulouse by Mrs. Colette Durand-Ader, representing the Mayor of Toulouse. 

The food and cultural show organised in Toulouse by the Taylor’s College students   not only gave the students an international exposure but also a learning experience for them in promoting the rich culture and heritage of Malaysia among the French people.  

The gala event was the culmination of the students’ two-week residency programme in France. They left France with a better understanding of the hospitality and the tourism industry for which France is well known. After all, Paris is the top tourist destination in the world. 

Embassy of Malaysia
Paris