Fruitful trip for British visitor

Teoh and Mcneill posing with their prizes after the competition in Penang Times Square.

GEORGE TOWN: A British durian fanatic’s trip to Penang to sample the king of fruits paid off when he managed to win second prize at a durian eating competition here.

Duncan Mcneill had travelled to Penang to savour as much durian as possible and was one of eight participants of the competition held at the Chin Ho Plaza in Penang Times Square.

“I first found out about durian at an international fruit convention in America last year and I immediately fell in love with its pungent smell,” said Mcneill who won a free buffet dinner for two at the Holiday Inn Resort Penang. Apart from Mcneill there were two contestants from Australia, two from China and three from Penang.

Mcneill’s wife, Dianna said her husband had already eaten three durian fruits prior to the competition. “I am also hooked on the fruit, thanks to him,” quipped Dianna.

The contestants were each given four seeds of durian, and the person able to finish the four seeds in the fastest time would be declared as winner. First place went to Penangite Teoh Chin Hooi, another big fan of durian.

Teoh said that while durian was his favourite fruit, he had been too busy to eat any for the past five years as he would always get caught up with work each time the fruit was in season. “I guess I have to attribute my success partly to my craving for the fruit,” said Teoh. “I grew up eating durian, so I am happy to have won.” Teoh won a two-day, one-night stay at a Tune Hotel.

Penang Times Square representative Renee Aw said eight contestants were randomly picked from a ballot box. “To participate, visitors have to spend at least RM20 at our durian stalls here. “From there, we randomly picked eight lucky contestants to join in our game,” said Aw.
-thestar online.