Star Cruises has announced that the chefs of the SuperStar Libra competed at the 2nd Penang International HALAL Chefs Challenge 2015, winning a total of 25 awards, which include 1 Gold, 8 Silver, 11 Bronze and 5 diplomas.

The three-day event was held from 30 January to 1 February 2015 at the Subterranean Penang International Convention & Exhibition Centre (sPICE), Penang, Malaysia.

Led by Executive Chef Saifol Iskandar Ikhsan, a total of 11 chefs from SuperStar Libra participated in 15 of the 19 categories such as the Malay Traditional Ethnic Ketupat & Rendang Challenge, Mee Goreng Challenge, Laksa Malaysia, Traditional Nasi Lemak, Western Main Course I (Fish/ Seafood), Western Main Course II (Meat – Beef or Lamb, Poultry – Duck, Chicken & Game), Sweet Sensation, Fruit & Vegetable Carving, and many more.

Chatuverdi Pradeep Mohan, the 31-year-old Chef De Partie of SuperStar Libra, won the gold medal in the Western Main Course I (Fish/ Seafood) Category. He impressed the judges with his masterfully crafted dish — Spices Oven Baked Salmon with Tomato Chutney.

The eight silver medals winners are Sous Chef Mr. Rashidi bin Mohd (Ketupat Palas Perempuan, rendang ayam samudera), Sous Chef Mr. Mohd Zulkifli bin Mohd Akhir (Seafood mousse, seared scallops and lobster claw/ Beef Medallion with goose liver and morel sauce & Burger Tuah), Chef de Partie Mr. Muhammad Quzair bin Ahmad (Pan seared snapper, green mussel and crab meat tempura & Chicken roulade Florentine), and 2nd Cook Nguyen Van Linh (Pan fried lobster, scallops and seafood mousse in saffron bisque & Trio of Duck: Pan fired duck breast, duck mousse, duck spring roll with pumpkin puree and tamarind juice).

Ang Moo Lim, Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Hotels of Genting Hong Kong Limited said: “It has been a great start to the new year as our SuperStar Libra chefs continue to do us proud at the 2nd Penang International HALAL Chefs Challenge 2015. These achievements and acknowledgments are testimonies of our strength and commitment in offering the finest quality cuisines, reaffirming Star Cruises’ position as a culinary destination for all travellers. I am also excited that our guests will have the opportunity to enjoy some of these award winning cuisines from this year’s competition exclusively onboard SuperStar Libra”.

In celebration of the team’s greater achievement in winning 25 awards at this year’s 2nd Penang International HALAL Chefs Challenge 2015, Star Cruises will showcase and offer both the winning gold and silver medal dishes at the Four Seasons Restaurant, Blue Lagoon and Spices Restaurant onboard SuperStar Libra from 14th February to 31st March 2015.

The gold medal dish- Spices Oven Baked Salmon with Tomato Chutney, and two of the silver medal dishes – Beef Medallion with Goose Liver and Morel Sauce and the Pan Fried Lobster, Scallops and Seafood Mousse in Saffron Bisque, will be available at the Four Seasons Restaurant, the continental dining restaurant located at Deck 4.

The other silver medal dishes – Burger Tuah (Legendary Hang Tuah Burger) will be available at the Blue Lagoon, the 24 hour- refreshment and snack outlet located at Deck 10, whilst the Ketupat Palas Perempuan, Rendang Ayam Samudera (glutinous rice wrapped in woven palm leaves, chicken rendang) will be available at the Spices Restaurant, an exclusive restaurant serving Nasi Kandar cuisine (Halal) located at Deck 10.

With Star Cruises as the first cruise line to be awarded halal certification for 2 of its restaurants (Spices and Blue Lagoon) on SuperStar Libra, which is homeported in Penang, guests can expect a gastronomical journey with many surprises that include a variety of exotic and authentic culinary masterpieces, all concocted by award-winning chefs, while cruising to various exotic islands of Thailand.

Managed by the Chefs Association of Malaysia (Penang Chapter), the 2nd Penang International HALAL Chefs Challenge 2015 attracted 260 participants from Malaysia and Singapore to vie for the highest accolades in 19 categories.