KUCHING. 28 September 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) takes the pleasure to announce that it was adjudged the 2016 Conference Venue of the Year at the second annual MICE Asia Awards ceremony on 21 September, held at the Suntec Exhibition Centre Singapore.

The BCCK emerged the winner amongst two other finalists from Australia and Singapore.

The 15-member judges comprising leading event professionals from throughout the Asia Pacific region gave their rationale for voting BCCK, “A conference venue that is easily accessible and in a prime location can often be a deciding factor when booking an event. A venue needs to set the right tone for a conference to ensure that delegates leave with the right impression about the host. An extra component that it is becoming increasingly essential for a good conference venue is technology. With the rise of the mobile workforce and the need to stay connected while on the move, the technology requirements for events and meetings have evolved.

The winning conference venue has the size and capabilities to handle what different conferences require in a bespoke manner. Their infrastructure also differentiates their venue by giving delegates a memorable experience that they would not forget. The winner has received a huge number of great reviews by guests, clients and the MICE industry as a whole. In particular about their technical capabilities and overall service have been singled out for praise. They are able to arrange inspired meetings in a modern and flexible conference venue.”

Datuk Hajjah Raziah Mahmud-Geneid, Chairman of Borneo Isthmus Development Sdn Bhd (BID), the management company appointed to oversee the management of the BCCK, congratulated the BCCK team on this latest accolade, “The Board of BID is pleased with the team’s achievement at the Asia Pacific level. This honour is a testament to how a second-tier city such as Kuching, with a world-class convention venue and right talents, and coupled with solid infrastructure and resources, can measure up to top contending business events destinations to deliver the expected service. I am proud that our very own convention centre has earned a regional award which could position Kuching as a competitive destination in the Asia Pacific region.”

Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK reacted to the win, “We are honoured and I must say pleasantly surprised to be named Conference Venue of the Year at this year’s MICE Asia Awards. As a host venue, it is imperative that we work closely with our clients to deliver memorable events for their guests. Our client and guest satisfaction indexes have consistently shown that we are on top of things, that is, those elements connected with facilities and service essential for hosting successful events. It all boils down to having a strong and dedicated team to impress our clients and guests and I must pay tribute to my team for always placing foremost the interest of our clients. On behalf of the BCCK management, I congratulate the BCCK team for consistently doing a fantastic job meeting the Centre’s benchmarks which directly impact our clients and guests’ satisfaction. We are also grateful to the Board of BID for always supporting our endeavours.”

The MICE Asia Awards is part of the MICE Asia Exhibition which is held each year in Singapore. The event looks to honour those companies playing a defining role in the events and travel industry in the Asia Pacific region. More than 80 companies participated in the 13 awards put up for nomination in 2016.

As the catalyst project to spur developments on The Isthmus, Kuching’s latest central business district (CBD), the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) was incepted and built with a green mission to be congruent with the master plan for the development of a green town­ship.

Featuring architectural design and functional features that encapsulate elements from the rainforests of Borneo and the green aspirations for a forward-looking and visionary CBD, the convention centre opened its door in 2009 as the first purpose-built business events venue in Sarawak.

Its ririk leaf-inspired roof harvests rainwater – fulfilling a green component specified by the Green Building Index (a certification scheme of the Malaysian government) – to cascade to its tropical garden. The building was cleverly designed to achieve effective daylighting, harnessed through expansive glass walls that optimise natural illumination into the concourse through to its award-winning Raintree Restaurant and working spaces.

A Green-Centric Hospitality Player

Seven years on, and having hosted more than 1,000 events and welcomed 1.3 million guests, the centre continues to project itself as a committed advocate of green and safety initiatives alongside its role as a key business events player. In its ongoing preservation efforts, the BCCK has incorporated additional green and safety measures in its latest improvement programme to care for front and back of house.

A host of retrofit and makeover works has been executed and completed in stages this year to provide clients with greater support facilities and services.

Additional trusses fitted throughout its Great Hall offer clients enhanced audiovisual offerings with multi-angle suspended lighting and multi-screen projection flexibilities.

The centre has also invested in a mobile roof and truss frame system – additional accoutrements to support outdoor events – which its offsite catering clients can rent should they wish to hold their events in the open air.

The aesthetics rejuvenate the interior of the centre for added ambience. These include walls that have been repainted a tinge of green, refreshed wall panelling in its Great Hall and recarpeting of the entire concourse and meeting spaces that incorporates earthly shades of brown, grey and blue to harmonise with its rainforest theme. “Green” elements such as environmentally-friendly paint and use of green grade, odourless adhesives in the carpet installation were key considerations in the procurement decisions with the ultimate goal of delivering a more pleasant experience for clients and visitors alike.

Whilst not immediately noticeable to the naked eye, the subtle makeover provides an ideal foil, allowing clients’ events to take centre stage against the fresh, neutral backdrop.

Even the humble yet indispensable public washrooms have their share of makeover with newly installed turquoise vanity tops.

An Uncompromising Safety Approach

The back of house gets equal treatment with the BCCK management and owner taking a proactive approach to address health and safety concerns including refitting the kitchens with new durable non-porous flooring. The new flooring complements the centre’s ISO 22000 and HACCP food safety management systems.

The centre is also currently replacing all fire-rated doors throughout the premises on a voluntary basis to enhance the structural safety of its building under emergency conditions.

“Having made great strides in the business of event hosting, we are mindful of the need to ensure the venue is constantly looking and functioning at its best after seven years. These improvement works are not just about maintaining the building but more importantly, to include added values for our clients to maximise their use of our venue and the supporting facilities and services. We hope to provide our customers and guests with a fresh experience of the venue. It is also about preserving BCCK’s status as an iconic landmark in Kuching that Kuchingites can take pride in,” remarked Eric van Piggelen, Chief Executive Officer of BCCK.

“Despite a larger volume of business this year, all these major works were able to be carried out without disruption to clients’ planned events. This attests to the good coordination between the centre’s sales, procurement and operation teams and the effective collaborative efforts with the appointed vendors,” said Christopher Wan, BCCK Corporate Service Manager who is also responsible for the centre’s procurement function and ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certifications and maintenance.

“With more events coming our way, we continue to proactively slot incremental enhancement works into our schedule in order to continuously serve our clients and at the same time, keep the venue and its facilities in optimum condition,” Wan explained.

Ever Ready World-Class Host Venue

All major works have been completed timely to prepare the BCCK to host several international events this year. These include two events in the third quarter, namely the 24th IUPAC International Conference on Chemistry Education (ICCE 2016) from 15 to 20 August and the
21st Joint Singapore-Malaysia Nursing Conference 2016 to be held from 7 to 9 September.

The fourth quarter will see the prestigious 55th International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Congress 2016 taking place from 12 to 16 November in Kuching. The doyenne of business events associations, ICCA –  with its members composed of convention bureaus, convention venues, professional conference organisers, airlines, hotels and other suppliers  the world over – was won over by Kuching’s solid bid to host the 55th ICCA Congress. This event anticipates to welcome 1,000 delegates for four days of education sessions, regional chapter meetings and business exchange opportunities including leisure activities in various landmark venues such as The Waterfront Kuching and the award-winning living museum Sarawak Cultural Village, apart from the BCCK.

“Kuching has a number of iconic venues which have earned their pride of place to stage various events of international stature. BCCK is honoured to have earned a place amongst the landmark venues that fulfill world-class standards,” van Piggelen added

KUCHING. 30 August 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) takes the pleasure to announce that the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has named its Research Officer Mr Ricch Chan Wei Chiang (田威强) “Researcher of the Month for July 2016”.

The global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry, ICCA is dedicated to helping its more than 1,000 member companies and organisations in more than 90 countries reap the business opportunities associated with international meetings. ICCA memberships enables its convention bureau, convention venue, professional conference organiser, airline, hotel and other supplier members to tap into its rich vein of resources such as the ICCA Association Database to mine for potential international meetings businesses. This powerful database also encourages ICCA members to work together with the ICCA research team to channel their research data into this global database for mutual benefits.

Eric van Piggelen, BCCK Chief Executive Officer said, “On behalf of the BCCK Management, I would like to congratulate Chan on having earned this international recognition from ICCA. I am particularly proud of his achievement, as he is the first Sarawakian and second researcher amongst Malaysian ICCA members to have received the award, after Ms Athirah Ayob from the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) in 2012. As an ICCA member, the BCCK has been actively utilising the ICCA Website Database to research and bid for international business events. I am pleased that Chan has along his dedicated research efforts also contributed his research outcomes to the database. He has represented our Centre well as his work could benefit the ICCA global community to attract new business to their destinations.”

Premala Danapakiam, BCCK Director of Sales and Marketing, and Deputy Chair of ICCA Malaysia further added, “We are extremely delighted with this acknowledgment from ICCA, which proves that we are on the right path with regard to bringing in international events for Sarawak, and Malaysia. As active members of this global community we call ICCA, we would like to thank ICCA for this fantastic database, and will continue contributing our research and leads for our fellow ICCA members”.

The database and statistics prepared by the ICCA are central to the congress and meetings industry and illustrate the significant growth of this sector in key cities around the world including Malaysia.

The ICCA Research Department recognises members’ research contributions based on the input uploaded onto the database and the researcher with the highest score for a particular month is awarded “Researcher of the Month”.

Chan, in acknowledging the award, said, “It is paramount to provide our sales and business development team with accurate and timely information to pursue opportunities in business events. It is equally important that we share/update the ICCA database with the right information to assist our fellow ICCA members to achieve the same goal. ICCA has provided such a great avenue for us, to share our information, to facilitate our work, and to further grow the business events industry. Why not we fully utilise this awesome tool and contribute towards the betterment of the industry.”

He also tipped fellow ICCA members on how to be an effective researcher, “The new ICCA database interface comes in really handy; do check out the “Hot” icon button for potential leads. Apart from the ICCA database, you may want to check out the associations’ latest news from the internet search tool for additional valuable information/tips when lobbying for potential business events.  Also, don’t forget to update ICCA if you find something new, by clicking the red button – “Update”. All the best!”

KUCHING. 11 August 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) has rolled out new dishes at its in-house public catering for the Perfect Livin’ Home and Lifestyle Exhibition of which the latest edition is currently taking place from 11 to 14 August.

BCCK’s in-house public catering is a regular feature at major exhibitions held at the convention centre, whereby its culinary production team produces thousands of dishes during each exhibition to cater to both exhibitors and visitors.

“As a forward-looking convention centre with food and beverage services being an integral part of our overall offering, we are committed to ensuring that our clients and guests constantly experience high quality and great value culinary creations. This Perfect Livin’ edition represents a good timing to debut our new dishes as each edition of Perfect Livin’ sees tens of thousands of visitors thronging our centre to shop for the latest home products,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

“We are proud to introduce new menu items to our ever popular public catering during this Perfect Livin’ show. Our chefs have created a selection of new dishes alongside old favourites to entice the public to come and join us for lunch and dinner,” said Thomas Schmid, BCCK Executive Chef.

The new dishes include:

Manakesh – flat bread baked on a saj cooker drizzled with Zataar spice, garlic and onions

Designer ice cream sandwiches – create your own with either triple choc chip cookies, strawberry macaroons, meringues and cherry coulis, Mars Bar chocolate sauce, vanilla custard and a selection of ice creams.

Sushi Burrito – a large sushi roll sandwich with either Cajun chicken filling or salmon

Designer pies in the following flavours – tandoori chicken, laksa, chicken satay, kerutup and chicken curry

Prices range from RM3.50 to RM10.00 nett inclusive of the six percent Government Service Tax.

 BCCK is certified halal by JAIS (Department of Islamic Affairs of Sarawak) and has certification in ISO 22000:2005 Food Management Systems, Malaysian Standard 1480:2007 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.  Its culinary crew is well-trained to handle safe food preparation on top of quality offerings.

KUCHING. 5 August 2016. If the art of dining à la cosmopolitan is to be taken seriously, The Raintree Restaurant would be on the minds of its regular, seasoned diners. The award-winning restaurant has recently released its new line-up of à la carte dishes.

Imbued with Western, Asian and Mediterranean influences and executed in myriad cooking styles, the cosmo cuisine takes the international experience and inspirations of Executive Chef Thomas Schmid and Chef de Cuisine Virginia Kedit with fervour.

With a globetrotting career of 30 years in top chef positions – from Europe to South Africa and the Middle East, and the latest in Borneo, Kuching – Chef Thomas Schmid has developed a keen sense of what’s cooking around the world. Coupled with Chef de Cuisine Virginia Kedit’s 26 years of culinary skills honed from working in international establishments including The Hilton, both seasoned chefs know exactly what to bring from the kitchen to the discerning palate.

“Most folks would fancy relishing heavenly cuisines from “hotspot” destinations around the world, sans a passport and endless hours on a plane. Our new à la carte menu has been designed with this in mind. It gives both Kuchingites and also our foreign guests a window into the best loved food that people eat in different parts of the planet,“ said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

Obvious choices include:

-       Warm asparagus with poached egg (steamed fresh asparagus toasted in vinaigrette dressing, spinach, served with poached egg and hollandaise sauce)

-       Cured beetroot salmon (sliced cured beetroot vinegar salmon served with pea sprout, white reddish, mesclun salad and drizzled with lemon dressing)

-       Miso blackcod (Marinated miso paste cod fish glazed with honey and vinegar then oven baked and served with crispy rice cake, spinach-daikon salad and red pepper dressing)

-       Cheeky beef cheeks (braised soft tender beef cheeks served with mushroom risotto and mesclun salad)

-       Bitter sweet chocolate soufflé (freshly baked kondima dark chocolate soufflé served with vanilla ice cream)

-       Sticky toffee (Hot toffee pudding with melted chocolate sauce served with orange ice-cream)

“Our new line-up of dishes is a tapestry of wholesome, imported and local ingredients skilfully and flavourfully married to produce winning dishes. It also incorporates a variety of ‘favourites’ such as our famed steaks. The selection is designed to be wide-ranging so that everyone comes to The Raintree Restaurant and leaves it a happy diner. We even have a section for kids,” Thomas Schmid and Virginia Kedit offered.

 Priced between RM19.00 and RM331.00 nett including the six percent Government Service Tax, the new dishes are served from 11.00 am to 10.00 pm daily.

Maybank and Standard Chartered Bank Mastercard and Visa card holders as well as Raintree Privilege card holders enjoy a 15% discount.

For more information on the Raintree Restaurant’s new menu or to make a reservation, call 082-392 988.

KUCHING. 1 August 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) feted its staff at its annual staff party in celebration of their hard work and commitment. A significant part of the celebration was the long service recognition for 23 staff members who have served five years at the convention centre.

A total of 170 BCCK members comprising permanent employees and part-timers descended on the “Hawaiian Night”-themed event at the Damai Puri Resort and Spa on 22 July for an evening of revels and feasting.

 “The main aim of this staff party is for BCCK Management to recognise the untiring efforts put in by the BCCK team in helping the Centre achieve its growth objectives. Our growth is not just confined to the business aspect. It encompasses good progress made in other key areas both front and back of house which are essentially the very backbone of the Centre that ensures the success of our role as a key player in the business events industry in Sarawak. This evening of fun and treats is a heartfelt thank you from Management to all of you,” conveyed Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK, in his address to the BCCK team.

“To the Staff Party Organising Committee, the BCCK Senior Management would like to express our appreciation for getting the party going. Let your hair down and get to know your fellow colleagues better from the other departments. Show us your talents in the various activities that the organising committee has put together for you all,” said Veraya Ratnam, BCCK Director of Human Resources.  

The “BCCK’s Got Talent” competition saw a number of highly enthusiastic contestants strutting their stuff in vying for cash prizes. Games, karaoke, the best dressed lady and gentleman and lucky dip also made up the line-up of activities.

KUCHING. 28 July 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) will be bringing its hugely craved-for Ramadhan whole roast lamb to the Kuching Festival Food Fair 2016.

Renowned for its quality culinary offerings, the convention centre will be participating in the annual food fair (more popularly known as Kuching Fest), to be held from 29 July to 21 August this year at the Padungan Community Hall (Dewan Masyarakat).

At RM10.00 nett (inclusive of the six percent Government Service Tax) per portion, the lambs will be spit-roasted and served off the spit in pita bread stuffed with dressings and choice of designer sauces like basil, black pepper, honey mustard, chermoula cream (a North African sauce of fresh herbs and spices), three-pepper relish, mint sauce and garlic mayonnaise.

“We are delighted to again have the opportunity to participate in this year’s Kuching Fest. With its huge local following, we are looking forward to making our immensely popular whole roast lambs available to the wider public which otherwise are only served at our annual Ramadhan Buffet,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

“We dished out close to 300 whole roast lambs this Ramadhan. We are sure that those who have enjoyed our roast lambs will want to savour them again and we also want to offer this delicacy to those who are keen to try non-standard fare at the food festival. With the Lamb On The Go offering, we incorporate a laissez-faire style to make our whole roast lamb more interesting to diners. Our ‘you name it and we’ll make it’ approach lets diners choose their preferred cuts of lamb and sauces. The special range of house-made condiments has been crafted to complement varied taste buds. As the saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating so do look out for Lamb On The Go at BCCK’s stall number 35,” said Thomas Schmid, BCCK Executive Chef.

 BCCK subscribes to a high standard of safe food handling. All food items transferred from the kitchens of BCCK to offsite events are transported using a refrigerated truck designed for safe food management. Its culinary crew is well-trained to handle safe food preparation on top of quality offerings.

KUCHING. 27 July 2015. Italian fare has definitely found its way into the hearts of locals here and there is an opportunity to savour some of the best Italian culinary creations at The Raintree Restaurant, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) with its latest promotion “Collegamento Italiana Classicio” or Classic Italian Connection.

Chef de Cuisine Virginia Kedit and her team have dedicated the next three months, from now until 31 October 2016, to Italian food lovers with a hearty line-up of starters, soup, main courses and desserts with à la carte options.

Kicking off with antipasti or starter dishes, the selection includes: Frutti de Mare which is grilled marinated seafood served with marinated olives, stuffed cherry tomato, marinated mushroom and rocket salad. Risotto ai Fungi Fritti comprises deep-fried mushroom risotto balls with garlic aioli. Trio Bruchetta lets bread lovers enjoy toasted baguette served with tomato salsa, olive, red onion and avocado and sautéed mushroom. More seafood awaits with the offering of Calamari Fritti, a dish of deep-fried battered calamari with spicy marinara dip.

The minestrone offers a comforting vegetable soup with a touch of pasta served with garlic bread.

The options of piatti principalli or main dishes seal the deal for a satisfying Italian affair: pasta al Nero di Seppia (squid ink pasta tossed with seafood and sundried tomato), confit D’anatra (pappardelle pasta with duck ragout), pollo scaloppini (spring chicken scaloppini served with warm polenta and wilted spinach, spinach gnocchi (plain gnocchi tossed with spinach, blue cheese sauce and grated parmigiano), pomodoro gnocchi (plain gnocchi gossed with tomato chilli) and gremolata cod (grilled cod with gremolata and pickled vegetable).

Desserts are set to sweeten the finale with perfect choices comprising macadamia parfait (homemade macadamia ice cream parfait), zabaione (light custard of fruit sabayon served with biscotti) and classic Italian dessert tiramisu.

“If Italian cuisine is your kind of food, let our team at The Raintree Restaurant further strengthen your connection with Italian culinary delights through our Collegamento Italiana Classicio. Our chefs have assembled some of the best classic Italian comfort food for your delectation,” Thomas Schmid, BCCK Executive Chef, calls out to Italian food lovers.

The à la carte items range from RM18.00 nett to RM85.00 nett inclusive of six percent Government Service Tax.

The Raintree Restaurant is open daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. For more information or to make a reservation, call the Raintree Restaurant on 60 82 392 988.

KUCHING. 5 July 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) extended its Ramadan charitable outreach by participating in Cats FM’s Mahabbah Cinta Ramadhan, a charitable programme carried out by the radio station’s rangers.

A total of 300 packets of “biskut raya” contributed by BCCK were distributed at the children’s ward of the Sarawak General Hospital on 19 June and Kampung Bako on 22 June.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to spread our Ramadhan spirit of sharing beyond the precinct of BCCK this year. Our past Ramadhan tradition always witnessed our Centre welcoming the less-privileged children from our community for buka puasa at BCCK’s annual Ramadhan Buffet. Collaborating with Cats FM on their Mahabbah Cinta Ramadhan gave us access to a wider section of the community and enabled them to experience a slice of BCCK,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

“With Cats FM’s huge local following, we are glad to have been part of their charitable activities to brighten up the day of some of the less-privileged members of society,” added Premala Danapakiam, BCCK Director of Sales and Marketing.

The cookie distributions were part of Cats FM’s charity programme which saw Cats FM rangers traversing Kuching in the holy month to hand out foodstuff and Cats FM car stickers in selected underprivileged areas.

To date, BCCK has worked with various charitable organisations such as the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS), Salvation Army, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah Kuching, Cheshire Home and Laila Taib Orphanage. The convention centre continues to identify programmes that provide avenues for it to give back to the community.

KUCHING. 16 June 2016. In embracing the spirit of Ramadhan, the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) and Yayasan Sarawak shared the blessings of the holy month by hosting 65 children and their wardens from the Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah Kuching at BCCK’s Ramadhan Buffet 2016.

Taking place in BCCK’s Great Hall on 13 June, the occasion was graced by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Haji Adenan Bin Haji Satem and wife Datin Patinggi Dato Hajah Jamilah Anu.

The berbuka puasa event at this year’s Ramadhan Buffet was the second for the children, who first experienced the immensely popular buffet in 2015.

“We are delighted to partner with Yayasan Sarawak this year to host our berbuka puasa evening with the children. We are also grateful to YAB Chief Minister and Datin Patinggi Dato Jamilah Anu for making time for this heart-warming occasion which translates to special moments for these children,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK. 

The programme started off with a Tarawih prayer led by an imam followed by partaking of the Ramadhan buffet.

The Berbuka Puasa outreach activity has been a yearly programme since 2011 for BCCK and constitutes a component of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. To date, BCCK has worked with various charitable organisations such as the Sarawak Children’s Cancer Society (SCCS), Salvation Army, Cheshire Home and Laila Taib Orphanage. The convention centre continues to identify programmes that provide avenues for it to give back to the community.

KUCHING. 26 May 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) joined the Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia Program, Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak campus; the joint organisers of Ride4TheWild 2016 on 22 May 2016 in a wildlife conservation effort.

The convention centre sponsored a total of 300 sandwiches for the event which saw about 260 individuals taking part in a 13-km and 38-km ride which began and ended at Swinburne. It also sponsored a few employees who are avid cyclists to take part in the ride.

“BCCK is honoured to be part of the conservation work, and help the Society to reach their goals in raising funds and promoting awareness on the plight of wildlife in Sarawak,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

Among those present were director of Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia Program
Dr Melvin Gumal and Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak campus deputy
vice-chancellor and chief executive officer Professor Janet Gregory.

Ride4TheWild 2016 aimed to encourage members of the public and corporations to participate in wildlife conservation, in particular, of the iconic orang-utan and also to voluntarily conserve sharks. The event celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity.

The ride also incorporated a green element to reduce plastic waste where participants used their own water bottles with re-fills provided and cotton T-shirts were given rather than microfiber to avoid pollution of plastics in the seas.

Activities at the transit of the 38-km route included conservation awareness presentation at the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre.

The 13km route transit point activity involved the signing of pledge by 13 organisations to support orang-utan and shark conservation, of which BCCK was one of the signees.

Organisations that signed the pledge on wildlife conservation efforts were the Wildlife Conservation Society-Malaysia Program; Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak campus; Sarawak Biodiversity Centre; Aiman Batang Ai Resort and Retreat; Borneo Adventure; Borneo Convention Centre Kuching; Hilton Kuching; Raw Kitchen; Sarawak Energy Berhad; Orangutan Project Sdn Bhd; Permai Rainforest Resort; Royal Malaysian Police, and Ulu Ai Conservancy.

All proceeds from the event were channelled to conservation education activities to create awareness among the community.

KUCHING. 18 May 2016. As far as chocolate goes for most people, it is a single-minded love affair obsessed with all things sweet.

As far as chocolate goes for the chefs at The Raintree Restaurant, they can weave their magic with chocolate.

Delve deeper into the realm of chocolate this May and June as the chefs take the road less travelled with this universally alluring and treasured food. The versatility of chocolate is expressed in The Chocolate Addiction which showcases chocolate as a veritable ingredient in culinary delights.

“A revered food, cocoa has charmed taste buds since time immemorial. The Chocolate Addiction captures the essence of chocolate in various forms and depths, from dressing to glaze, shavings and sauces. From a hint of cocoa to a flavoursome depth, the luxury of chocolate is encapsulated in the appetizers, soups, main courses and desserts. We will surprise the most seasoned of palates with our concoctions,” Chef de Cuisine Virginia Kedit revealed.

The three-course set is the ideal entry to explore “the other use of chocolate”. Prawn tempura with pineapple, water chestnut and white chocolate dressing or cream of oyster and garlic soup with Kondima chocolate shavings offers a great introduction to the uninitiated palate.

Spring chicken in cocoa, maple and balsamic glaze with pumpkin puree or fillet mignon with chocolate and orange sauce served with roasted sweet potato and vegetables shows how chocolate blends well with the tangy taste of balsamic vinegar and orange to complement a main course.

Chocolate fondant with fresh fruits and whipped cream flaunts the rich depth of cocoa, ensuring a heady sweet ending to the meal. Fancy having a spicy chocolate dressing in your meal? The five-course set lets the palate flirt with more delectable chocolate-inspired treats.

Spicy dark chocolate dressing accompanies baked cheese tart with rocket salad followed by cream of oyster and garlic soup with Kondima chocolate shavings. Light orange and lemon sorbet does a great job to refresh the palate for the indulgent main course ahead. Fillet mignon with chocolate and orange sauce flanked by roasted sweet potato and vegetables serves up a perfect main course. The unexpected allure of white chocolate is embodied in grilled lobster with white chocolate Beurre Blance Sauce with confit potato and vegetables

Luscious white chocolate panna cotta with mixed berries represents a true Italian classic for a fine conclusion to the meal.

The three-course set is priced at RM110.00 nett per person and five-course set at RM145 nett per person.

Diners who like pairing wines with their meals will enjoy the selection of white and red wines from Spain and Australia.

The recommended wines for the three-course set are Montefrio Airen (white wine) and Seppelt Stony Peak, Shiraz Cabernet (red wine).

For the five-course set, Seppelet Stony Peak, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc (white wine) and Montefrio Tempranillo (red wine) complement the meal nicely.

Each wine is priced at RM100.00 nett per bottle.

All prices quoted are inclusive of the six percent government service tax.

The Raintree Restaurant is open from 11.30 am to 10.00 pm daily. For more information, call the Raintree Restaurant on 60 82 392 988.

KUCHING. 12 May 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today launched its Ramadhan Buffet 2016 to the media with an Arabian theme entitled Arabian Souk.

Featuring an Arabian marketplace and slated from 6 June till 2 July this year, the Ramadhan Buffet 2016 represents BCCK’s biggest food event. The entire ambience during the Ramadhan month will take on the characteristics of an Arabian Souk, teeming with patrons and traders. BCCK’s Great Hall as well as Meeting Rooms 12 and 14 will serve as the dining venue whilst its spacious and airy concourse will be transformed into a busy and vibrant Arabian marketplace with vendors offering their wares.

“I have the pleasure to announce that we have maintained our attractive low online prices for this year’s Ramadhan Buffet. BCCK’s online dining reservation system which we launched in 2015 has proven to be the preferred booking method as diners have instant access to the various low prices offered once they know which dates they want to book. Our e-vouchers, starting from as low as RM50.00 nett, are selling like hot cakes. Once a certain low-price tier has reached its quota, the next tier of low price will be offered, hence do go to our booking website and book early” said Premala Danapakiam, Director of Sales and Marketing of BCCK.

 Diners can book their Ramadhan dining with immediate effect on BCCK’s mobile-friendly website www.bcck.org.my. The booking process is as simple as booking a flight online and printing out the e-voucher once the booking is paid for. Diners are required to present their
e-vouchers prior to entering the dining hall.

Corporate dining vouchers with flexible dates are available for purchase from BCCK at
RM80.00 nett per adult whilst same-day walk-in rate is priced at RM88.00 nett. Children dine at RM35.00 nett between the ages of five and twelve whilst those below five dine for free.

This year’s culinary theme is steeped in Arabian, Middle Eastern and Lebanese cuisines alongside Malaysian fares of various ethnicities. Variety and great value remain the two key selling points of BCCK’s Ramadhan Buffet, which experienced a growth from 10,000 diners in 2014 to 20,000 diners in 2015. 

BCCK Executive Sous Chef Binyas Suem and Sous Chef Rizal Ismail offered, “The culinary theme taking centre stage at BCCK’s Ramadhan Buffet this year draws inspiration from the colourful and diverse cuisines of the various regions in the Middle East. From starters to main dishes and desserts, diners will find a good range of Middle Eastern dishes interspersed with Malaysian cuisines. Three menus will be rotated during the month-long Ramadhan dining period which give diners access to the multitude of treats.”

A wide assortment of Middle Eastern breads and mezze (selection of small dishes) ease the break of fast accompanied by fifteen types of beverages comprising hot drinks, cold juices and  aerated drinks. 

Amidst the sea of endless delicacies, main dishes to look out for include beef chicken kofta(beef and chicken on skewers), lamb fatayer (pastry puff), falafel (lamb and spinach puffs), braised prawns in spicy coconut gravy, Nyonya asam fish, mousakhan (traditional Middle Eastern chicken baked sandwich)

Diners will again have the opportunity to indulge in clear winners of past editions; these include salmon gravlax (cured salmon), poached prawns on ice and mussels, whole roast lamb, beef shawarma (grilled beef shavings), Sarawak laksa, bubur pedas and bubur lambuk.

Baklava (Arabian dessert), date crescents (Middle Eastern layered puff with various nuts), Manakesh (traditional Lebanese spiced pita bread), bubur som som, traditional local kuih and chocolate fountain spread amongst the array of desserts provide delectable after-dinner treats.

Three offsite catering packages are also offered with prices per person at RM75.00 nett, RM110.00 nett and RM140.00 nett based on a minimum number of 50 persons for each package. Handling charges may apply.

“On behalf of BCCK management, here’s a big pat on the back for the Culinary team for bringing another impressive repertoire of foreign delicacies to the table. Their culinary passion and creativity means diners get to savour a wide range of delicious cuisines from different cultures every Ramadhan which translates into great value for them. This is our commitment to our loyal diners and we look forward to having them back again and welcoming new guests at the BCCK.

The efforts of all other departments are without a doubt crucial for our Centre to deliver another successful Ramadhan Buffet. Management has noted the hard work from the
Set-up/Banqueting, Stewarding, Audio-Visual, Housekeeping, Finance, ICT, Maintenance, Security, Procurement, HR, Customer Relations, Event Planning  as well as Sales and Marketing,” said Eric van Piggelen, CEO of BCCK.

All prices quoted above are inclusive of 6 percent GST.

Dining time is between 6.30 pm and 10.00 pm. For more information on the online booking and purchase of corporate dining vouchers, call BCCK’s dedicated reservation line 082-392 889 (9.00 am to 6.00 pm) or visit www.bcck.org.my.

BCCK is certified halal by JAIS (Department of Islamic Affairs of Sarawak) and has certification in ISO 22000:2005 Food Management Systems, Malaysian Standard 1480:2007 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System.  Its facilities provide ease for all diners from all backgrounds – from ample, hassle-free parking, prayer rooms for Maghrib prayer to ambient dining space.

KUCHING. 18 April 2016. The Raintree Restaurant of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) unveiled its Mother’s Day treats this 8 May.

The Mother's Day buffet lunch promises to deliver delightful moments for mums and loved ones with a tempting smorgasbord of appetizer, salad, main and dessert selections.

Marinated half shell mussels, Greek salad with feta cheese, chicken liver pate, smoke salmon and cheese platter, and mixed maki rolls with shoyu, ginger and wasabi get the family into the mood for more as lunch commences.

 Diners will also take a shine to the braised teriyaki beef ribs, grilled vegetable and Edam cheese quiche, grilled lemon prawns on creamy leek risotto, poached salmon with green asparagus and hollandaise sauce, slow roasted beef sandwich and chicken sharwarma under the main dish selection.

 French toast with maple syrup, honey, butter and fruit compote, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice creams, dark chocolate fountains with fruit skewer, marshmallow, petit four and cookies, warm apple strudel with vanilla sauce, tiramisu, pandan crème caramel and light lemon pudding compete for diners’ attention amidst the array of enticing desserts.

 “Let’s make mums feel like queen for a day on Mother’s Day. Families can look forward to the celebration knowing that our Raintree Restaurant always serves the best treats,” said Chef de Cuisine Virginia Kedit.

The buffet is priced at RM79.00 nett per adult and RM35.00 nett per child between five and twelve years old. Reservations can also be made online through www.bcck.org.my. Dining vouchers pre-purchased online must be presented to the Raintree Restaurant prior to dining. All prices quoted are inclusive of the six percent government service tax. The Mother’s Day buffet lunch will be served from 11.30 am to 2:30 pm. For more information, call the Raintree Restaurant on 60 82 392 988.

KUCHING. 28 March 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) takes the pleasure to announce the appointment of Ms Premala Danapakiam, BCCK Director of Sales and Marketing as the Deputy Chair of ICCA Malaysia Committee.

This announcement was made by Mr Noor Ahmad Hamid, ICCA Regional Director, Asia Pacific at the ICCA Asia Pacific Regional Office in Kuala Lumpur on 22 March 2016.

“With a dynamic and active committee, the ICCA Malaysia Committee is on track to focus on the areas of developing the future leaders, government advocacy and growing the associations”, said Ms Ho Yoke Ping, General Manager – Business Events of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), who is also Chair for ICCA Malaysia Committee.

“The appointment of the BCCK as the Deputy Chair of ICCA Malaysia Committee is timely as Kuching will be hosting the 55th International Congress and Convention Association Annual Congress 2016 (ICCA 2016) from 13 to 16 November 2016. ICCA 2016 is an important event of international stature and it is significant to the growth of the business tourism industry in the state of Sarawak. The BCCK Management would like to express its gratitude to the ICCA Malaysia Committee for placing its trust in the BCCK. We look forward to the mutual cooperation between ICCA Malaysia members to further cement Malaysia’s position in the  association meetings sector,” said Mr Eric van Piggelen, CEO of the BCCK.

ICCA is the global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings industry. ICCA represents the main specialists in organising, transporting, and accommodating international meetings and events, and comprises over 1,000 member companies and organisations in over 90 countries worldwide. ICCA specialises in the international association meetings sector, offering unrivalled data, communication channels, and business development opportunities.

ICCA has a structure based upon a number of sectors, each representing a professional sector within the meetings industry, Chapters based on geographical region as well as National Committees.

In order to enhance regional cooperation between members, particularly at national level, ICCA Country Committees have been formed. Currently there are five country committees in the Asia Pacific region, namely the Australian Committee, China P.R. Committee, Indian Committee, Malaysia Committee and Thailand Committee.

The purpose of the National Committee is to enhance cooperation amongst members through education and training; promotion and networking; and sharing of information and business leads, leading to the concerted promotion of the region as an attractive destination for international meetings.

KUCHING. 17 March 2015. Still feeling over indulged from the last festive season but need to fulfil your craving? The Raintree Restaurant is your best bet this March and April as its new promotional menu delves into the healthy aspect of culinary delights.

From now till 30 April, the “Eat Healthy, Be Healthy” promotion is showcasing healthy servings of Western style appetizers, main courses and desserts, all drenched in naturally delicious and nutritious ingredients.

For starters, the selection of antioxidant-loaded appetizers provides the feel-good factor to appreciate a healthy meal – cured beetroot salmon with fresh spinach and daikon salad, grilled marinated vegetables and mushrooms with yoghurt cardamom dressing and grilled watermelon with feta cheese, fresh basil and balsamic dressing.

BCCK Executive Chef Thomas Schmid and his Raintree Restaurant team promise a guilt-free way to savour delectable main courses infused with nutrient-rich ingredients: grilled baby chicken supreme with goji berry compote, charred bok choy and cilantro rice, veggie moussaka (layered grilled vegetables with tomato coulis and parmesan cheese), Jasmine tea poached salmon with pea sprout salad and braised barley and oven-roasted tenderloin on yellow lentils and baby green beans.

Fibre-filled desserts offer ample temptation with choices such as fruit salad, rye pancake and delicious combo of watermelon and calamansi granita (semi-frozen dessert).

“With the recent festive celebrations just behind us, we are dedicating March and April to the delights of healthy eating. Join us at The Raintree Restaurant for some healthy indulgence. The authentic flavours of our selected natural ingredients complement each other perfectly so you can definitely eat good and feel good,” said Chef Thomas.

Prices range from RM15.00 nett to RM84.00 nett and include six percent GST.

All food is prepared according to strict requirements and hygiene standard according to BCCK’s ISO 22000:2005 Food Management System, Malaysian Standard 1480:2007 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. Guests can be assured of the quality of culinary delights from BCCK’s halal-certified kitchens endorsed by JAIS (Department of Islamic Affairs of Sarawak).

The Raintree Restaurant is open from 11.30 am to 10.00 pm daily. For more information or to make a reservation, call 082-392 988.

KUCHING. 3 February 2015. The Raintree Restaurant of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) today announced its “Express Your Love” special Valentine treats for 14 February.

In celebration of love and romance, Chef Virginia Kedit, The Raintree’s Chef de Cuisine, has crafted an indulgent six-course Western set dinner.

“Our ‘Express Your Love’ Valentine set dinner promises a tribute to love through the essence of fine dining. As tables are limited, we would like to invite couples to book their Valentine’s Day celebration early with us. Reservations can be made online on www.bcck.org.my or call The Raintree Restaurant directly on 082-392 988,” said Chef Virginia.

The Valentine celebration starts with the Isthmus Mocktail, a drink of mixed fruit juice and sparkling water.

Appetizer entices the taste buds with lobster with lemon mayonnaise and marinated cheese with grapes along with salmon tataki with cauliflower mousse and pan-seared sea scallop with tomato salsa.

A refreshing pineapple and candied ginger sherbet prepares the palate for a heart-warming soup comprising double boiled consomme with crispy duck wonton.

The main course comes in the form of fillet mignon with cheese risotto and honey-balsamic shallots and also pan-seared miso cod fish with marinated red pepper daikon and spinach salad

Dark Chocolate lava cake with raspberry ice-cream served with freshly brewed aromatic coffee and tea completes the celebration.

The “Express Your Love” Valentine’s Day set dinner is priced at RM288.00 nett (including six percent [6%] government service tax) per couple and will be served from 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm.

All food is prepared according to strict requirements and hygiene standard according to BCCK’s ISO 22000:2005 Food Management System, Malaysian Standard 1480:2007 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System. Guests can be assured of the quality of culinary delights from BCCK’s halal-certified kitchens endorsed by JAIS (Department of Islamic Affairs of Sarawak).

For more information, call the Raintree Restaurant on 60 82 392 988.

KUCHING. 28 January 2016. The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) take the pleasure to announce the launch of the Sayang Sarawak catamaran today.

In collaboration with the STB who owns the Sayang Sarawak, the BCCK who has been officially appointed the operator, will be providing its meeting and event services via river cruise packages.

Yang Berhormat Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Minister of Tourism Sarawak, officiated at the launch together with Mr Eric van Piggelen, BCCK CEO at the marina bay on the Kuching Isthmus.

The catamaran will ply two routes – from the Kuching Waterfront to the BCCK and from the Isthmus jetty up to the mouth of the Sarawak River. It can accommodate 40 persons in theatre style on the lower deck and 30 persons in cocktail fashion on the upper deck. The cruise packages can be customized according to requirements set by clients.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with the Sarawak Tourism Board to create a niche product to the business events market. The BCCK is the first convention centre in Malaysia to offer meeting and event services on cruises. This latest addition to our range of services will enhance the delegate experience as business and social events can now be conducted on waters rather than just being confined to bricks and mortar. The cruise will take conference delegates pass quaint villages, verdant jungles and wetlands along the Sarawak River – this experience is one of a kind in Malaysia, if not in the world. We are looking forward to offering this innovative product to our local and foreign clients by bringing our meeting and event services along with our food and beverage offerings on board the Sayang Sarawak,” proffered van Piggelen.

The state government will build an overhead bridge linking the convention centre to the Isthmus Jetty for the convenience of passengers. This facility will be ready in 2016.

For more information on the meeting and event packages on the Sayang Sarawak, call BCCK’s general line on 082-392 888.

KUCHING. 13 January 2016. The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) will mark the Chinese New Year 2016 celebration with an array of Spring Festival reunion feasts – set lunch from 1 to 29 February, dinner buffet on 6 and 7 February, and sit-down banquet dinner from
6 to 22 February (except for 8 February).

The reunion feast offerings were announced during a yee sang tossing ceremony and food tasting session attended by the BCCK senior management team and the members of the media.

Joseph Chung, Chief Financial Officer of the BCCK, said during the event, “On behalf of the BCCK team and our Board of Directors, I would like to toast the forthcoming Lunar Spring Festival and wish our media partners, clients and business associates ‘A Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year’. We also want to thank all parties for their support of our convention centre in the past year.”

“We are delighted to usher in the Year of the Red Fire Monkey with our celebratory menus that serve up generous and delectable offerings for the eagerly awaited homecoming celebration. Our banquet dinners are priced at RM688 and RM888 nett. This year we are also offering our Chinese New Year dinner buffet and set lunch online. The buffet dinner starts at a very attractive price of RM68 nett per adult while the set lunch is offered at RM48 nett per person. Do go on our booking website on www.bcck.org.my to grab these fantastic offers,” he continued.

BCCK Executive Chef Thomas Schmid, Executive Sous Chef Binyas Suem and Chinese Kitchen Chef Peter Ngu were present at the event to introduce the dishes to the members of the media.

Pre- and Chinese New Year’s Eve to Chap Goh Mei Banquet Dinners @ RM688.00 nett per table and M888.00 nett per table 6 to 22 February 2016 (except for 8 February 2016)

The banquet dinner packages include salmon yee sang, double-boiled chicken soup with Chinese herbs, braised pak loh duck or braised lamb with black pepper sauce, steamed fish Hong Kong style (seabass or golden pomfret), sautéed prawns with salted eggs or marmite sauce, braised mushrooms with fish maw or with dried oysters, fatt choy and broccoli, steamed glutinous rice with dried scallops, and chilled golden pumpkin puree with gingko nut or nian gao with sweet potatoes and mandarin oranges and free flow of Chinese tea.

Dinner Buffet from RM68.00 nett to RM88.00 nett per adult (online prices) and RM30.00 nett per child (between five and eleven years of age; children below five dine for free) 6 and 7 February 2016 (Pre- and Chinese New Year’s Eve)

 The Reunion Dinner Buffet will showcase an array of Chinese New Year delicacies such as fresh seafood on ice, crispy silver fish with Thai sauce, Mongolian BBQ, Peking duck with condiments, yee sang, sea cucumber and beef tendon with fatt choy, stir-fried broccoli with oysters and abalone slices, Chinese fried rice with smoked duck, and more.

A good spread of desserts including orange cheese cake, assortment of mousse cake, coconut panna cotta and lai chee kang will also be dished out.

 Chinese New Year Set Lunch at RM48.00 nett per person

1 to 29 February 2016 

 The Raintree Restaurant will roll out a month-long three-course set lunch consisting of appetizer, main course and dessert. Choose between prawn salad with honeydew or sweet corn soup with crabmeat for the appetizer.

The main course comes either as beef strips with Chinese BBQ sauce or Crispy Silk Road Chicken, both served with steamed broccoli and fried rice. Black sesame ice-cream with fruits concludes the meal followed by choice of coffee or tea. The set lunch will be served from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm, and dinner buffet and banquet dinner from 6.30 pm to 10.00 pm. To make a reservation for the sit-down banquet dinner, call BCCK’s general line on
082-392888. 

The dinner buffet and set lunch are offered via the BCCK’s online dining reservation system on www.bcck.org.my. Dining vouchers pre-purchased online for the buffet dinner and set lunch must be presented prior to dining. For more information about the above promotions, call 082-392888 (general line) or 082-392988 (The Raintree Restaurant). All prices are inclusive of the 6 percent government service tax.