The Star launches book on culinary delights in Klang Valley

Come dine with us: Dr Ng taking a call card from food stall owner Panir Selvam during the launch of Food Trail in Kuala Lumpur. With them are Wong (left) and Cheong.

KUALA LUMPUR: Foodies will be able to scout around for the tastiest of dishes, now that Food Trail has been launched, a new book by The Star.

The book is a compilation of articles written by StarMetro journalist Sam Cheong under the same name and which was featured in its central edition every Thursday.

The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said Cheong had “explored every nook and corner” to find the most delectable dishes in town and had put together a trail for people who loved good food.
“He has made access to these places even simpler by providing GPS coordinates,” he said during the launch at the Malaysia Tourism Information Centre here yesterday.

The Star media group, he added, is passionate about food and would go the extra mile in promoting it via its newspaper, Flavours magazine, Kuali portal and LiTV on Astro Channel 728. The 160-page, full-colour book contains some of the best halal and non-halal fares in the Klang Valley.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who launched the book, said food was an important tourism product in drawing more visitors to the country.

“We have positioned Malaysian food as an important structure of our tourism by having food promotions three months in a year from October to December,” she said. She hoped that Malaysia would become a household name for, among others, food, shopping, exhibitions and meetings on the global platform.

Later, during a press conference, Dr Ng said the ministry encouraged district and state authorities to create their own “food trail” directories. “This will enhance our domestic tourism's Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia programme as locals will know the best places to eat,” she said.

Dr Ng also urged the councils to set up their own tourism committees to help promote and develop their respective areas. Food Trail is available at all major bookstores in Malaysia at RM25 a copy.
-thestar online.