Star Cruises savours success at the Battle of the Chefs 2016

PENANG, Malaysia – Star Cruises celebrated another year of success at the Battle of the Chefs 2016 biennial competition.

PENANG, Malaysia – Star Cruises celebrated another year of success at the Battle of the Chefs 2016 biennial competition. The Star Cruises’ team of chefs raised the bar this year by winning a total of 18 medals including 2 Gold, 7 Silver and 9 Bronze medals, together with 11 Diploma Awards and also securing the Most Outstanding Live Cooking Master Chef Award and the Most Outstanding US Potatoes Master Chef Challenge Award.

“This has been another incredible year for our Star Cruises chefs at the Battle of the Chefs 2016 competition, as they continue to hone their culinary skills, competing with both local and regional teams from across the industry. We are extremely proud of the team’s spectacular performance and their achievements,” said Mr. Cheng Foong Sim, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Star Cruises. “However, we won’t rest on our laurels. Our chefs will continue to learn, grow and develop their talents to deliver authentic and innovative cuisines from across the region and globally, constantly reaffirming Star Cruises’ position as the leading culinary destination at sea.”


Led by Executive Chef Mr. Saifol Iskandar Ikhsan, the Star Cruises team emerged victorious in a series of Master Chefs Challenge categories at this year’s Battle of the Chefs competition, which was held at the SPICE Arena in Penang, Malaysia from 18-20 August 2016. The three-day challenge saw over 1,500 local and international chefs from 32 countries compete for the medals and recognitions.

Among the individual highlights at this year’s competition was Mr. Shah Irwan Omar, Sous Chef of SuperStar Gemini whom was awarded the Most Outstanding Live Cooking Master Chef Award, accumulating two Gold, one Silver, one Bronze and two Diploma awards in the six classes of competition he contested. In addition, he also garnered the Most Outstanding US Potatoes Master Chef Challenge Award for accumulating the highest number of points in this class.

Fleet Executive Chef for Chinese Cuisine, Mr. Lee Eng Heng led three chefs, Executive Chef Mr. Choo Ngee Boon, Assistant Chinese Chef Mr. Ho Hon Mun and Executive Sous Chef Mr. Yee Chee Woon, as well as Pastry Chef, Mr. Alex Lono Navarro from Star Pisces to a bronze medal in the Imperial Jade Chinese Cuisine Championship. The team dazzled the judges with their innovative technique in creating an amazing 6-course set contemporary Chinese cuisine menu, sealing their position in the top three at the championship.

To celebrate Star Cruises’ achievements at this year’s Battle of the Chefs competition, Star Cruises is providing its guests the opportunity to experience exquisite cuisines exclusively crafted by the award-winning chefs on board SuperStar Gemini’s 3D2N Malacca or Kuala Lumpur cruise, 3D2N High Seas cruise, and 4D3N Penang-Kuala Lumpur or Penang-Langkawi cruise.

Gold medal winning dishes will be available exclusively at Bella Vista, the western restaurant located on Deck 9 of SuperStar Gemini and will include scrumptious delights including ‘Potato Lasagna with Lobster Fricassee and Spinach – accompanied with Potato Mousseline, served with Potato Lobster Velvet, Egg Crusted US Potato, Potato Cigar and Lobster Beurre Blanc’, and ‘Pistachio Crusted Opal Valley Lamb Rack and Lamb Loin & Lamb Tortellini served with Celeriac Mousseline, Chantilly Vegetables, Garlic Mayo and Curry Apple Sauce’.

In addition, Bella Vista will showcase silver and bronze medal dishes including ‘Dum Brown Rice Briyani with Stewed Lamb Rack marinated with Spice Soya Sauce’ and the ‘Oven Baked Crusted Salmon with Pistachio and Crab Meat Pumpkin Puree, Mustard Cream Sauce and Spring Vegetables’.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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