Libra Star's culinary team wins 17 awards at "Halal Chefs Challenge"

▲ The Libra Star, under Star Cruises. (Photo / Courtesy of Star Cruises official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When taking a cruise, the most important aspects are enjoying the onboard facilities and savoring the cuisine, making the quality of meals especially crucial. The culinary team of the "Libra Star," operated by Star Cruises, clinched 17 awards at the first-ever "2014 Halal Chefs Challenge" held from January 17 to 19 at Setia SPICE in Penang, Malaysia.

Among them, Executive Sous Chef Shah Irwan Omar received the "Best Live Seafood Dish" and "Most Outstanding Chef" awards for his

"Live Seafood Dish: Creamy Porcini and Broad Bean Sauce with Poached Cod," drizzled with seafood and flying fish roe cream sauce, paired with seasonal vegetables and lobster bisque."Pan-seared cod in a creamy porcini and broad bean sauce" topped with a seafood and flying fish roe cream sauce, served with seasonal vegetables and a rich lobster soupHe won the "Gold Award for Live Main Course - Seafood Category" and was also honored with the "Most Outstanding Chef Award."
Second Sous Chef Karmilla Erwan’s creation,"A trio of desserts: Black Glutinous Rice Durian, Maja De Ube, and Mango Coconut Mousse Sago,"claimed the "Gold Award for Live Asian Desserts Category."

The Libra Star currently operates with Penang as its home port. With a total displacement of 42,285 tons, a length of 216.3 meters, 709 cabins, and 8 restaurants and bars, the ship’s executive chef, Saifol Iskandar Ikhsan, leads the Libra Star’s culinary team in offering a diverse selection of international and Asian cuisines to passengers.

According to Lin Yu-ju, Deputy Manager of Marketing and Product Development at Star Cruises, most itineraries of the Libra Star are based in Penang and are suitable for travel all year round.Moreover, these award-winning dishes are currently only available on the Libra Star.So if you have the chance to sail on the Libra Star, be sure to try these gold-medal-worthy delicacies.

% Chef Shah Irwan Omar also participated in the live cooking segment and won the "Best Live Seafood Dish" and "Most Outstanding Chef" awards with his black glutinous rice durian, purple yam cake, and mango coconut mousse sago creations.