Venezuelan Gastronomic Festival @ Eccucino, Prince Hotel KL

Wow, so the festival is in full swing, and the activities are reaching a feverish pitch. Here are the incredible list of events going on in KL for the 8th Venezuelan Week.

And just a couple of days back, we were at Eccucino,at Prince Hotel & Residence Kuala Lumpur for the opening of the “ Venezuelan Gastronomic Festival ”, which you will still have time to catch, from 1 to 8 October 2013, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. The festival is held in conjunction with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to celebrate the 8th Venezuelan Week in Malaysia.

the lovely Venezuelan beauties, Maria & Vanessa 

There was some terrific live Latin music by Nelson González Trio and also some incredibly delectable Venezuelan dishes by Chef Tamara Rodriguez.

Nelson González Trio

Embracing the love for her native Venezuelan way of life, celebrity Chef Tamara Rodriguez has skillfully combined her 20 years of experience in journalism with her natural talent for cooking. And when I finally met her, I found her to be one of the most approachable female chefs I have ever met. She is so kind and wise.. the sort you’d like to spend all day talking to in her kitchen, as she cooks you something spectacular for dinner. The extraordinary mother of two has worn dual hats successively for 23 years.

In her own words, she has merged ‘communication with cooking’ through operating her own radio station for her community, a fishing village in ‘Rio Caribe’ (the land where the sunrises). Tamara who believes in giving back to her people, founded a community radio station eight years ago which airs programmes on cooking, health and communal subjects targeted at helping the villagers cope with the challenges of daily life and a special programme on the preservation of education to benefit the youth and those suffering from the ills of HIV.

Here is what we had for dinner that night!

Tostones – Fried plantains topped with fish

Arepa – Domino combo of black beans and cheese, or Reina Pepiada with chicken and creamy avocado

Arepa made fresh, on the spot! 

 love them addictive black beans..

my favourite was Reina Pepiada with chicken and creamy avocado 

empanadas, chicken polvorosas, roasted beef with guasacaca (avocado,pepper and coriander sauce)

Cachapas – corn pancakes topped with cream and cheese.. crazy tasty! 

tortitas de auyama (pumpkin cakes)

Callallo (crab meat and vegetables ) tasted like “masak lemak” 

carabinas

more music on the cuatro with Nelson Gonzales

chocolate and rum appreciation with Chef Tamara – listen to the perfect snap of well made chocolate!

make sure you coat your mouth with chocolate, then take a swig of Diplomatico .. exquisite!

conservas de coco (coconut and palm sugar balls) and rice pudding dessert

Golfeados – Venezuelan cinnamon buns .. super delicious! 

With five more days to go, of terrific Venezuelan gastronomy, head on out to Eccucino, Prince Hotel for the meal of a lifetime. Oh, and the bonus will be that you will definitely spot Chef Tamara as she loves to make the rounds, talking to the guests. Never a dull moment at the Venezuelan Gastronomic Festival, you can be sure!