The launch on Carlsberg Diamond Idol 2014 (CDI).

Carlsberg Diamond Idol 2014 (CDI), the popular talent search competition in East Malaysia proudly presented by Carlsberg - the most preferred beer brand in Malaysia, returns for its fourth installment and will be looking to unearth more talented singers from the two Borneo states.

“Since its inception in 2011, CDI has generated lots of buzz. The singing competition is aimed at discovering new talents and providing these budding young singers a platform to be heard and perform before a panel of internationally renowned professional judges. Our 2012 CDI Champion, Esther Thian, for example, had a good headstart, as she won the Astro Star Quest Singing Competition in 2013 and went on to compete in Million Star singing competition in Taiwan. We are once again proud to be presenting this and to use this as a platform to be closer to our consumers,” said Gary Tan, Sales Director of Carlsberg Malaysia during the launch of CDI at Kick Bistro & Fun Pub, Kota Kinabalu.

This year the cash prizes for the competition are valued at more than RM30,000, including a cash prize of RM12,000 for the Grand Finale champion. There will be four auditions, to be held in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Miri and Kuching. Participants are to perform two songs, either in English, Bahasa Melayu or any Chinese dialect. Only 12 participants from each audition will advance to compete at the respective Area Final.

The top 3 of each Area will advance to the Grand Finale, which will be held on 2 November 2014. To prepare for the Grand Finale, they will attend the Diamond Idol Camp at Kota Kinabalu for three days, where they will be involved in team building activities, dance lessons, practice sessions for theme songs as well as video shooting. Professor Dr. Fred Chin will be leading the camp as motivational trainer, whilst Skyler Liew will be their dance instructor. The camp was first introduced in CDI 2012 with the aim of grooming and boosting confidence of the grand finalists through a series of workshops, and had received very good feedback.

This year’s CDI is proud to have a prominent panel of judges comprising of singer/song writer, Zchen, a local artiste who has gained fame in Taiwan and Hong Kong; Marsha Milan Londoh, the third runner-up of Akademi Fantasia Season 3; as well as singer/songwriter and music producer, Jonathan Tse.

Also present at the launch event were last year’s CDI Champion, Sylvester Lee and second runner-up, Jacqueline Lau who entertained the guests for the rest of the evening with two songs each.

For more information on Carlsberg Diamond Idol 2014, visit www.carlsbergdiamondidol.com.my or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CarlsbergDiamondIdol.

Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad was incorporated in December 1969. Today, it manufactures beer, stout and other malt related beverages.  Sales and distribution of beer, stout, cider, wines, spirits and other beverages are done via subsidiaries Carlsberg Marketing Sdn Bhd, Luen Heng F&B Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, Carlsberg Singapore Pte Ltd and associate company Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC in Sri Lanka.

Carlsberg remains the flagship brand and is committed to growing its place in the hearts and minds of Malaysian beer drinkers by staying in tune with the needs and demands of our strong consumer base.

Check-In Dining at Market 88, Kepayan

People always find fun things to spend their time. At least for me, I would drive around town and see what I can do or the furthest I can drive is to Tuaran or Tamparuli (I love to be on the road). Now, when it comes to remembering a restaurant, how would you actually remember them all? I bet it’s going to be either by food, or by the name of the restaurant.

Recently opened in this end of the month, Check-In Dining is the first aviation themed restaurant here in Sabah. Baby blur in colour, located at Market 88 (some say food city), the restaurant is easy to spot! With a few airplane windows, you can try to have a peek what’s inside. That’s what I did.

Caeser Salad + Smoked Salmon = RM 7.90 + RM6.00
If you like Salmon (like me), then this is a must try. Mixed with Japanese Sauce (I'm a fan and you should be a fan too) and big slices of Salmon. It would go wrong for having this as the appetizer! 

Caesar Salad + Chicken Ham = RM7.90 + RM2.00
Affordable as it is but I fancy the Caesar Salad with Smoked Salmon more. It's worth it and delicious because the sauce that they are using to taste the salad.

Soup of the Day: Mushroom Soup = RM 6.90

I like how they use wild mushroom, but I like it to be more... rich. But you can try, it's not bad. Really.

Shrimp Paste Chicken Wing (4 pieces) = RM9.90

I like how they make use of Shrimp paste in all kind of dishes. Not too much, just nice. Because too much can be salty, and not everyone can handle it.

Cheese Meat Ball (6 pieces) = RM13.90  *MUST TRY

I love how they invented this dish. Cheese melts in your mouth as you chew the meat balls. Don't worry if it's still rare inside as it will affect the moist of the meat ball. Trust your chef in this. I like how it taste. Some people might feel this dish can be a little salty for them too because of the sauce, but I'm okay with the taste and texture.

Beef Burger = RM14.90

Carbonara Chicken =RM13.90

Sirloin Steak = RM25.90

Chicken Chop Fried Rice = RM 12.90

 Chicken Cutlet = RM16.90

Fish & Chips = RM16.90

Fish Fillet Cheese Baked Rice = RM 13.90

And here comes the Hot Chocolate for only RM7.90!

Panna Cotta - RM6.90

Despite of the economy nowadays, especially here in Kota Kinabalu, our expenses are higher than in the west Malaysia. Anyway, the price for the food here is reasonable and affordable for people like me and you who just wanted to fill our tummy. 

Kadaiku™ model bah ni.

Who’s that girl!?

I haven’t talked about my working experience here right? Well, we can make it another day to talk about it! Now let me focus another thing here, which also related to my work.

I used to model for clothes and trained people to walk (wanna see my pictures? :P ).

But then I didn’t continue much on that path which I rather choose to be more focused in my work – the tourism, publicity and publication industry. I just love people! At this point, some people say “all things will eventually come back to you” which I can also apply to myself now.

Kadaiku™ – Sabah Souvenirs and Handicrafts at Sinsuran Complex is proud to bring you quality local Sabah souvenirs. Kadaiku™, which means ‘my shop’ in our local dialect, is a treasure cove of mementos that represent the magic and essence of the Land Below the Wind. Rest assured that you will always find an endless choice of authentic traditional handicrafts.

Website: http://www.kadaiku.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kadaiku/338038438915?fref=ts

It’s something different, which I do not need to pose as if we are taking a high-end photoshoot. But we always had fun during the photoshoot. 

Look out for Kadaiku™'s advertisement in the Sabah Malaysian Borneo Bulletin publication. MONTHLY!

Do swing by Kadaiku™ and explore the beauty of each souvenir. What I like about Kadaiku™ is that they have this small little tag that explains each souvenir that you picked. Good information for all local and international tourists who are interested in our Sabah culture.

Til then! Buzz me!

Eating at Pasar Besar Kota Kinabalu @ Central Market

Besides buying groceries at the market, what else can you do?

I remember I used to go to the market with my dad when I was still a kid. I love to go to the dry area, but not the wet – which is the fish market. Normally, one of my tasks is to buy the most delicious Tau Foo Fah in town and to look at the vegetables; poultry is still fine, but definitely not the fish market because – you know it. I would cry.

This is the first time for me to try out the food stalls at the market. We called it Pasar Besar in Malay or just Pasar – Sabahan style. If you want to know how the local Chinese call it? PA-SA. It’s the same anyway. Haha.

The food stalls are located on the second floor. There are about 4 to 6 stalls there (if I’m not mistaken – need to check it out again) and they separated it into Chinese and Malay section, which is good. This is because people like us; we might want to have non-halal or halal food.

We went to the Chinese stall.

Picture below: The view overlooking KK Plaza (taken from the side of the staircase)

See those baskets? Choose your preferable vegetable and meat by pointing them to the person who is serving you. Tell them if you want them to cook it with rice or noodle after he or she took note of your choice. That simple.

I have ordered Kon Lau Mihun with vegetable, chicken, and char-siew (pork). While waiting, I actually worried that it might be oily but it wasn’t. It was simply delicious yet affordable to have a simple lunch here. There’s only one thing I would like to highlight – the char siew have some unwanted fats because I don’t take that since young. So, I just have to remove it. For certain people, I know you like that.

Don’t forget to buzz me when you are there. I'm just nearby! ;)

Ultimate Buka Puasa Feasts at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Ready to eat?

More than 200 varieties of traditional breaking-fast fare and international favourites to suit every taste bud, all here at the Hyatt Regency Kinabalu. A few Chef’s specialities and unique items are being featured in the buffet such as Serunding Tuhau, Kerabu Mangga Sotong Kering and Kerabu Daging Cincang Berjeruk. Innovative beverages like Kurma Juice and Pegaga Juice are also available to complete and satiate the thirsts.

There are also 12 extended show stations along the Shenanigan’s Terrace offering live cooking stalls including western cuisines like roast lamb flap, beef, and grilled vegetables as well as chinese cuisine like roasted chicken and duck, dim sum, ngiu chap, and yong tau foo. For me, I like the indian cuisine which they are famous for its cheese naan and tandoori.

Look at these stations!

Now let’s check out the Chinese Corner. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is famous for their roast duck and chicken. This juicy and tender meat is a must try when you dine in!

To outfit the kampong ambience in this year’s theme, Hyatt is hosting their Bazaar Ramadhan in the Kimanis Ballroom where it can accommodate up to 300 diners at one time. Hyatt Regency Kinabalu is also the first hotel that reserved a ballroom space, especially for the season throughout the buka puasa month.

Bazaar Ramadhan
Available Dates: from 29 June 2014 onwards (during fasting month)
Time: 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Rates: RM120nett per adult | RM60nett per child (between 6 - 12 years old)

*For Group bookings, enjoy complimentary meal for the 11th person for every 10 paying guests

*Club at The Hyatt exclusive 15% discount

Planning a private buka puasa gathering?
It’s the Buka Puasa Banquet! Chefs at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu are more than happy to tailor delectable, tantalising buka puasa menus for your special events. Be the perfect host and let Hyatt’s professional event service personnel take away the stress of organising for your events.
Call Hyatt Regency Kinabalu at +6088-221234 or +6088-295335 for bookings or more information.

Thanks to the two chefs in Hyatt, Chef Tunku and DJohan for making a wonderful and delicious menu for another year of Ramadhan!