THE ENTICING TASTE OF KYOTO-SAKE DINNER

KOTA KINABALU,SABAH-Sake, cuisine and merry-making were the order of the evening at Hyatt Regency Kinabalu's recent wine dinner.

Some 60 diners started off the evening with custom sake cocktails and japanese hor d'oeuvres like tako with wasabi mayo, crispy salmon skin and edamame while mingling with guest who consisted of chief consul of the Consular Office of Japan for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, Hirofumi Morikawa, Kinabalu International Hotel Chairman Datuk Gordon, Hyatt Regency Kinabalu general manager Arifin Darmawan and Winecellars managing director, sake brewery reps plus other food connoisseurs, socialites's and hotel regualrs. The event was launched with a "kagami Biraki" ceremony or breaking of the sake barrel.

KIH chairman Datuk Gordon (left), Winecellars managing director Meng Tan (2nd left) & hotel general manager Arifin Darmawan (2nd right) served out sake at the opening ceremony

The ceremony is performed at celebratory events in which the lid of the sake barrel is broken open by a wooden mallet and the sake is served to everyone present. Kagami refers to the lid of the sake barrel and biraki means "to open" so kagami-biraki literally means "opening the lid." Because of the lid's round shape, the kagami is a symbol of harmony. The kagami-biraki, therefore, represents an opening to harmony and good fortune.

Three different brewery representatives were present at the dinner-Sakura Masamune, Nanbu and Tengumai breweries each promoted the qualities of their sake.

The exquisite six-course dinner from guest chef Hironori Tamagawa from Kyoto featured fresh seafood and wagyu beef, accompanied perfectly with a series of sakes, each with its own distinct flavour and perfume.

Guest chef Hironori Tamagawa carefully prepared one of his specialty dishes before served to the guests.

Dinner started off with an amuse bouche of freshwater eel salad, or uzaku, to whet diners' appetites before the appetiser of fresh tsukuri, nigiri sushi and natto maki. Next was a seafood course of cod, scallops and prawn, impeccably plated under the watchful supervision of Chef Tamagawa himself 

The impossibly tender grilled wayyu with shiro miso and shiso tempura was a big hit with the guest who couldn't get enough of it. As the merriment hit a high note, we cleanse the palate with a light soba course, to make space for easy conversation before the big finale. Dessert was a trio of strawberry sake. Macha Choux (green tea ice cream and red bean in choux pastry) and yogurt ice cream with blueberries.

The dinner also saw one of its guest, Nazri Noor celebrate his birthday with help from the restaurant.

Director of Food and Beverage Daryl Thong with Keisuke Irie of Tengumai Breweries, Yoko Suganami from Nanbu Bijin Brewing Company, Meng Tan from Winecellars and Kaori Hohyama from Sakura

The evening ended with guest being presented with a farewell gift of souvenir bottle of Sakura Masamune sake and most continued the party at Shenanigan's Fun Pub.Hyatt Regency Kinabalu Food and Beverages director Daryl Thong thanked all the guest for making the event a success as well as service staff for their hard work

Contact: 
Julian Chan
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
Public Relations Manager
+6088 22 1234
Julia.chan@hyatt.com

About Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, a 288-room hotel, is located in the heart of Kota Kinabalu’s business, shopping and entertainment hub, overlooking the beautiful coral islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and the South China Sea.   Hyatt Regency Kinabalu offers newly renovated guestrooms, exceptional service, modern comforts, and a dazzling choice of local and international cuisine.   Reservations for Hyatt Regency Kinabalu can be made by calling +60 88 22 1234 or visiting www.kinabalu.regency.hyatt.com

About Hyatt Regency Hotels

Hyatt Regency offers a full range of services and facilities tailored to serve the needs of meeting planners, business travelers and leisure guests. Properties generally range in size from 200 to over 2,000 rooms and are conveniently located in urban, suburban, airport, convention and resort destinations around the world. Hyatt Regency convention hotels feature spacious meeting and conference facilities designed to provide a productive environment. Hyatt Regency hotels in resort locations cater to couples seeking a getaway, families enjoying vacation together and corporate groups seeking a relaxed atmosphere in which to conduct business and meetings.

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