In celebration of America’s 240th Independence Day, a gala dinner was held recently at the Grand Ballroom of Hotel Equatorial Penang. The event was organized by the American Malaysia Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) together with collaborators – First Solar, Jabil, Hotel Equatorial Penang, Celestica, TechDome Penang and Venessa Diamonds.
Main Stage
Guests taking photographs at the photobooth during cocktail session
Main table decor
This charity event brings leading corporations in Malaysia together to raise funds to support the community with funds being donated to 3 beneficiaries – AMCHAM-MACEE Scholarship, Tech-Dome Penang and Dream Zephyr Foundation. The gala dinner, which is fully supported by the US Embassy, also celebrates and strenghtens the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the United States.
The event was graced by His Excellency Joseph Y.Yun, the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia and the Honorable Penang Chief Minister Mr Lim Guan Eng.
Around 400 distinguished guests were also present.
Welcome Speech by Organizing Chairman YBhg. Dato Wong Siew Hai (Chairman of AMCHAM)
His Excellency Joseph Y.Yun, the U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia and the Honorable Penang Chief Minister Mr Lim Guan Eng started off the event with speeches and a toasting ceremony
Marching in by the U.S. Marines & Lowering of the Flag
Recognition of the Sponsors for the gala dinner
Diamond Sponsors of the evening were Finisar and First Solar. Gold and Silver sponsors – CTC, Ideal Property, IDT, Intel, Jabil, Nation Gate Group, Plexus, UGL, Agilent Technologies, JW Marriott KL, Motorola Solutions, St. Jude Medical and the Ritz Carlton
The event managed to raise RM178,200
Presentation of mock cheques to the 3 beneficiaries of the charity gala dinner
Awesome entertainment by The Jazzhats featuring Ray Rozzells
The menu for the night is an American inspired one under the vision of Grand Hyatt Dallas Fort Worth Hotel Executive Chef Jean-Claude Plihon in collaboration with Hotel Equatorial Penang Executive Chef Ronney Too.
The meal for the night was an interesting one with stand outs such as the tiger prawn starter and the dual protein main dish where diners tucked into a juicy roasted chicken as well as seabass. Flavours were light throughout with the exception of the goat cheese salad which may be a tad too overpowering for some diners. The highlight in my opinion was the dessert – a surprisingly light yet decadent cheesecake paired with honey ice cream.
To Start – Tiger prawns, Fennel with Citrus-ginger emulsion
Soup – Corn Veloute
Roasted Beet Salad, Goat Cheese Crema, Hazelnut Crumble & Cherry Vinaigrette
Mango Sorbet palate cleanser
Roasted Chicken, Seabass, Chanterelle, Asparagus & Romesco
Fromage Blanc Cheesecake, Apricot, Pistachio & Honey Ice cream
Glamourous Fashion Show by Venessa Diamonds
During the course of the dinner, live auctions and raffle draws were held. The items for auction include Yellow Citrine & Blue Topaz Pendant designed by Venessa Diamonds, Double-Strand Pearl Necklace by Venessa Diamonds, Golden Tianmen painting (purchased from the famous Junsheng Art Academy in Zhangjiajie Hunan, China & hand carried back to Malaysia by Dato SH Wong), Hudson Baby Bourbon Whisky and Stalls in Penang watercolor painting by Lee Eng Beng.
Hudson Baby Bourbon Whisky for the live auction
Golden Tianmen sand stone painting by artist Qin Zi Hua for the live auction
Meanwhile, guests could also purchase a charity raffle ticket at RM50 to participate in the raffle draw with exciting prizes including a return flight ticket to New York sponsored by China Southern Airlines.
At the event (with my red heels which were hidden under my long gown! lol)
*Many thanks to Hotel Equatorial Penang for extending this invitation
