The Parkroyal Parramatta brings a special culinary experience to Sydney and Parramatta.
There was nothing more memorable from a trip in Singapore than a delicious mouth-watering plate of Singaporean Chilli Crab I had for dinner accompanied with Chinese style fried bread or ‘mantou’. I would reach out for a mantou and dunk and swipe it in the crab sauces and slowly sop it all up, not forgetting to pick up a crab leg and pluck out its sweet meat. I had wondered where I could to get a good chilli crab when I returned to Sydney.
I didn’t have to look too far because Singaporean Chef, Tony Khoo has taken up residency at PARKROYAL Parramatta for a few days to lead the Taste of Asia celebrations. He has curated a fresh, locally-sourced Singaporean-themed seafood buffet of classic and modern South-East Asian cuisine for six days only from 15-20 October 2019.
Chef Tony Khoo’s tale of success is based on sheer hard work. He stepped into the kitchen world at 16 years old, working his way up the culinary ladder.
I read an article written in The Straits Times (Singaporean local paper) about Chef Tony Khoo and it sounds like where he is today is from hard work.
The story in the The Sraits Times reports that more than two decades ago, Tony’s neighbours often a lady in particular use to complain to Tony’s mother about Tony. They would ask his mother, a widow to discipline the boy and stop him from terrorising and bullying their children. They also told her that he was going to be a never-do-well.
The article reported it was all too plausible then that Tony Khoo would not amount to much. He was dismal in his studies, taking eight years instead of six to complete his primary education at the now defunct Broadrick Primary School.
Fortunately, Tony saw the error of his ways. ‘I realised one day that being a gangster was meaningless. Why was I getting involved in fights which were none of my business and getting whacked for no reason?’ says Mr Khoo, The Straits Times reports.
He decided he wanted to make his mother proud instead and prove his detractors wrong. And he ultimately did. You can read Tony’s story here – quite a fascinating story.
We were taken on a culinary journey through the sea; the buffet tantalising tastebuds with a selection of platters to start, including mirin and sake, cured ocean trout and steamed mussels with a refreshing coconut lime dressing.
Other dishes include succulent BBQ Singapore noodle salad or mizuna with fennel capsicum and sprouts from the salad bar, wonton noodle soup, beef rendand, soy chicken rice and wok fry chilli crab with mantou or baked sambal fish from the hot selection.
To finish, guests can toast to their experience with a delicious pina colada, included in the dessert offering and choose from sweet treats including green tea tiramisu, coconut mousse, mango and coconut cake, Chinese custard tarts.
And if you don’t live in Parramatta, a staycation would not be a bad idea so you can just recline to the comfort of your room or the Club Lounge after dinner. Parkroyal Parramatta is well located and you can experience the multicultural food and vibrance of Parramatta during your stay (Parramatta Lanes was on during my stay!).
To book:
https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-parramatta/offers/taste-of-asia.html
See.Taste.Do stayed and dined as a guest of PARKROYAL Parramatta.
