Go Makan! Sure ah?

NEWSFLASHMEDIA has posted earlier today an introduction to our readers on GoMakan.com, probably Malaysia’s first online food portal directory. The launch took place this recent Friday night at the Neverland Club on Jalan Kia Peng. I’ve been so out of touch with KL’s night scene so I’m not sure if that spot used to be the Orange Club, just next to Borneo Baruk, which is currently undergoing renovation. Not sure as well if Borneo Baruk is still operating under that same name.

The invite was fairly simple and to-the-point; media registration at 6pm and Makan (yes, that’s exactly how it was written) at 7pm. The press release states “... there will be NO lengthy speeches; no ribbon cutting ceremony; just good times to be had. Be prepared TO EAT, DRINK & LAUGH throughout the evening...”

Joanne Kam and the mini paparazzi.

And true, there were no speeches or ribbon cutting. But good times, eat, drink and laugh I wasn’t too sure of. Yes, we drank a lot but drinking on an empty stomach is no fun. Bear in mind that the launch was slated for 7pm, which is dinner hour for many of us. And knowing you’ve been invited to a food event means you don’t want to turn up on a full stomach. This is especially true for the Press who keeps a hectic work schedule and a regular eating pattern isn’t the norm.

The crowd, which included special guests as well as the media, were already at the venue by 6.30pm. And that’s a good sign and a sure welcome from most organisers of food events. It means guests will sample their servings when they are still nice, hot and fresh. Most of the booths of participating members of GoMakan.com were ready to tackle the crowd and tantalise their tastebuds. So naturally the hungry guests zoomed in on the food. A Mat Salleh friend of mine had a plateful of spread and polished his plate off.

Teh Tarik for the star!

Some guests were still at the booths making their selections when suddenly an announcement was made on the microphone, asking guests to refrain from sampling the food until they are invited to do so at the ‘launch’ hour – 7pm. YIKES! There were some red faces and those who already had food on their plates just didn’t know what to do; continue eating or drop everything and hide.

Wow! Wasn’t that ‘tactful’? I wonder how a more professional ‘emcee’ would have tackled the situation?

So the guests shied away from the booths and the operators stopped serving their food. Several minutes into 7pm Joanne Kam appeared and so the event was ‘officiated’. It seemed 30 of the portal’s members took part on the night but it didn’t appear so. Judging from the stalls, there appeared to be less than 30.

The ice-cream boys hard at work. The ice-creams are delicious.

Most of my friends tried most of the selections featured. I only stopped at the ice-cream counter, which I think was called Vedablu (Phileo Damansara 1) and Wrapstarzz (Wangsa Walk Mall). I have to say the offerings at these two outlets were worth a try as I did enjoy the Beef Wrap although a friend of mine said the filling was too dry. And everyone agreed that the yoghurt ice-creams were good.

Good food = Good fun?

I came with a friend and we had initially planned to hang out at the club and do some catching up with our media friends. But a majority were just trapped in KL’s Friday traffic madness; changed plans and ended up going elsewhere. So we left very early, about half an hour or so after Joanne’s appearance.

If the event was aimed towards a great fun night eating and drinking, it turned out to be, what the Malays would say a night of curi curi makan (trying bits and pieces here and there). Having spent most of our time in the publishing world at food reviews, launches and events, my friends and I were not impressed with this particular 'eat and be merry’ invite. It was just the wrong venue, the wrong ambiance and the wrong night.

Plenty of choices?

However, creating the portal and the purpose it serves is a great idea. Now no one needs to call the media in the middle of the night asking where can they get great food as they are traveling all the way from Ipoh to eat in KL.

Oh, by the way, while watching the GoMakan.com videos included in the press package, did the host Debbie Chien say “sh.t”when she fell to the floor? If she did, there goes all the chic and class and the beautifully made face and stunning figure hugging dress.

This lady's stall got rave reviews for the curry puffs but for the life of me can't remember the name of the company.

And oops! Just as I was finishing this post and checking facts, I called one of the GoMakan members on her handphone listed in the press release and she wasn't happy her mobile number is in there. YIKES again!