Sampling Penang’s delights

Sampling Penang’s delights

IT must be tough to keep the calories in check and stay in shape if one is a food columnist constantly exposed to an array of irresistible dishes.

But Helen Ong, Penang’s leading food writer and blogger, is taking it all in her stride.

Her secret is simply “not eating too much but just tasting it”.

Well, the rest of us will certainly find it hard to control our appetities after reading the second edition of her popular restaurant guide 'Great Dining in Penang 2' which has just been launched.

The 160-page soft cover book gives readers the lowdown on a myriad of eateries – from those in posh hotels to charming little cafes – and is packed with information and mouthwatering photographs.

Both locals and tourists will find the book a handy guide on where to eat.

For those more adventurous, there are also simple recipes one can try out.

Speaking during the launch ceremony at Golden Sands Resorts’Sigi’s Bar and Grill — one of the book’s featured outlets — on Wednesday, Ong said work on the book involved around eight months of eating, talking with people and taking lots of photographs.

Although Penang is famous for its hawker fare, diners will invariably hunger for something new after a few days, said Ong who is The Star’s Sunday Metro columnist.

Regularly facing questions from friends on where to go for a good meal, she decided to compile all the details on eateries in one easy-to-understand comprehensive tome.

“The first book was well-received, and sold all 3,000 copies.

“People would even play games with it – they would pick a number, flip to the corresponding page, and head to the particular restaurant featured on that page for a meal,” she enthused.

Ong explained that due to the competitive nature of the restaurant business, many outlets featured in her previous book had since closed down or shifted to a new location, and readers were eager for an updated version.

“It’s been hard work and even harder work eating my way through all that food but hey, someone’s got to do it!” she quipped.

State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang, who officiated the launch, said it was necessary to have a proper culinary guide book to benefit everyone.

“Her first book 'Great Dining in Penang' alerted many of us to restaurants we did not know about or had yet to patronise.

“Now we all have a better knowledge of these low-profile but good food locations and we have more lunch or dinner venues to choose from,” he added.

'Great Dining in Penang 2' is now available in leading bookshops, hotels and restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore.

For details, visit www.helenong.com.

-Info courtesy of The Star-