THE Penang International Food Festival (PIFF) is set to expand to new areas and settings, including Bertam and Penanti in Seberang Perai, as well as Bandar Baru Air Itam (Farlim) and Batu Maung on the island.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said for the first time, PIFF 2023 ensures that all main events and mini festivals embrace both areas of the island and Seberang Perai to promote inclusivity while contributing to the local economy.
He announced that PIFF 2023 would be held from June 3 to 25 at a press conference held at The Whiteaways Arcade in Beach Street, George Town, today.
“To retain our competitive edge, it is crucial that we continue to reinvent and infuse creativity into the tourism sector by developing new products, experiences and venues.
“Thus, besides introducing new venues, I commend PIFF 2023 for introducing all-new main events like Bertam Tasty Trails, Gourmet Stars of Penang, and Penang Food Festival, as well as rebranded mini-festivals, namely Wonderfood, Malam BBQ @ Penanti, Rasa-rasa Rahmah, Santai Under The Sky, and Seafeast,” Chow said in his speech.
Chow also encouraged visitors to explore nearby places of interest while they enjoy Penang’s culinary offerings.
He highlighted attractions such as the Masjid Abdullah Fahim, the British-Siamese Boundary Stone and the Air Hitam Dalam Educational Forest, murals in Farlim, the War Museum and Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas and the Penang International Container Art Festival’s container art in Batu Kawan.
Chow added that the services sector, with tourism as its core, plays a crucial part in contributing significantly to the economy with an impressive 47.4% to the state Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2021.
Looking to the future, he emphasised Penang’s commitment to leveraging the strengths of its services sector, manufacturing and the digital economy, to achieve an ambitious GDP growth rate of 5.4% by 2025.
He said while the state is committed to driving its economy forward, all must not forget the true essence of the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’, lies in the unity, well-being and happiness of the people.
Yeoh Soon Hin, the state exco for Tourism and Creative Economy (Petace), said since 2017, PIFF has drawn thousands of foodies worldwide to sample the authenticity of Penang’s hawker delights and the state’s wide-ranging modern and international cuisines.
He said the introduction of the Michelin Guide in Penang has unveiled a new page in Penang’s gastronomic prowess, featuring its diverse culinary offerings and homegrown talents.
“Penang is indeed a gastronomic heaven of good eating that makes a foodie’s dream come true,” Yeoh said.
Among those present were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Seberang Perai City Council mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad, Jonathan Freddy P. Bagang (director of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia) Penang office; Siti Hajar Mohd Yunus (deputy director of Tourism Northern Malaysia) and Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan.
Chow and the other guests later enjoyed some local delights, such as laksa, dude curry wheels, Nyonya koay, nasi lemak, daun pisang, pasembur and ice kacang.
Here are the main events and mini-festivals:
Main Events:
Bertam Tasty Trails
Date: June 3 & 4 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 5pm – 11pm
Venue: Vision Park Bertam
Gourmet Stars of Penang
Date: June 9 & 10 (Friday & Saturday)
Time: 5pm-11pm
Venue: Fort Cornwallis
Penang Food Festival
Date: June 24 & 25 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 4pm-11pm
Venues: SPICE outdoor car park and SPICE Rooftop Garden
Mini Festivals:
Wonderfood:
Date: June 5 (Monday)
Time: 11am-5pm
Venue: Hin Bus Depot
Malam BBQ @ Penanti
Date: June 11 (Sunday)
Time: 5pm-10pm
Venue: Kampung Terus Penanti
Rasa-rasa Rahmah
Date: June 14 (Wednesday)
Time: 5pm-10pm
Venue: Farlim Night Market
Santai Under the Sky
Date: June 16 (Friday)
Time: 4pm-11pm
Venue: Batu Maung Foodies
Seafeast
Date: June 17 (Saturday)
Time: 5pm-11pm
Venue: Stadium Batu Kawan car park
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi
Video by Siti Noor Nabilah Noorazis