Meriahnya Syawal, Aidilfitri Delights in 1 Utama Shopping Centre

Malaysians are a blessed bunch, we get to celebrate and participate in all kinds of multicultural celebrations all year long. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is no exception. We are so looking forward to celebrating together with our Muslim friends this coming July 17-18! Throughout the month of Ramadhan, major shopping centres across the city is beautifully decorated to give us shoppers the Raya Vibe, and 1 Utama Shopping Centre certainly excel in bringing us back in time. From 26 June – 20 July, if you come to the LG Oval Concourse, dress comfy like you are going to Balik Kampung, because that is exactly where you will be transported back to. 1 Utama had built a life size livable Penghulu House complete with a working kitchen equipped by Belling, and even planted grass indoors, a feat not seen as a inconvenience to them apparently, all for the sake of a real life experience to their beloved shoppers.

I really love the vintage feel given to the whole deco in this month long event themed Meriahnya Syawal. Bring the elders, I’m sure they would love it!

Even Vespa had set up stall here to add to the vintage feel of the Raya event.

Now what is special about this village is, it is truly a place that you can shop and dine all at the same spot. There are various food stores such as Way Premium Food giving you a taste of their curry rice and sambal chicken.

You can rest your tired feet at the Wakaf or benches and picnic with some Rendang Atuk, they really smell good.

Grab a cup of Coconut Ice Cream for your dessert after a spicy meal at Sangkaya.

If you don’t fancy Coconut, then there’s another option of ice cream, very interesting Turkish ice cream called Booza, and the ice cream seller will make sure you work for it. He will twist and turn the cone while letting you try to catch it before really letting you have it, it’s kind of fun for the kids.

Chocolate lovers can grab some of these premium chocolate for your open houses this Raya, they look so good I can literally imagine the way it melts in my mouth.

Raya Biscuits are abundant here, there are a few stalls selling them. They look so tasty, they will make a nice gift for your loved ones this Raya, or even can be for your own open house guests later. In every festivity in Malaysia, be it Hari Raya or Chinese New Year or Christmas, open house concept is a must, it is a time we welcome guests into our house and just feed them with all the special food and biscuits we can prepare. I love this practice of hospitality and generosity, as it’s all about building closer ties with our family and friends, giving thanks to the blessings we have, and giving back to others what was given to us.

There are so many activities lined up for the whole month of Meriahnya Syawal, and one of it was cooking demos.

We were so blessed to be able to catch a cooking demo session with Chef Sherson Lian, celebrity chef with his own TV show, 5 Rencah 5 Rasa on TV3 and soon to air Family Kitchen with Sherson on Asian Food Channel later in the year. With many accolades under his belt, Sherson still found time to hang out with the crowd and show off his culinary skills while cooking Ayam Percik and Garlic Dhal Rice.

Sherson is not just a chef, but an entertainer as well, charming his way through his food and his presentation, bringing smiles to his volunteer, Arpita as well as the crowd.

Check out how amazing the chicken looked at the end, deboned, seared and baked to perfection.

We even get to taste it, and my, let me just inform you that it was the best chicken, ayam percik that I ever had. I was just sad I did not carry a container with me at all times to pack some back.

Exclusive to Belling One Utama customers, there’s this promo where if you buy a Belling Range Cooker there now, you get to literally bring the chef home to cook with you by taking his classes for free. What could be a better time to get that kitchen makeover.

Anyways, if you love cooking, then make it a point not to miss more cooking demos to be held at the Rumah Penghulu, with Chef Zaidah on 11 July 5pm, Chef Sherson again on 12 July 3pm. Join them to learn some expert tips and techniques on whipping up local meals with a twist.

If shopping is your game, then you would be delighted to know that there are so many sales going on at 1 Utama, and so many deals you can look forward to.

Shoppers get to bring home a complimentary Cake Stand with RM500 spend (RM300 for ONECard members) (Max 2 receipts on the same day at participating ONECARD Outlets), and there are exclusive cookie jars for redemption as well for Maybank Cardmembers.

For ONECARD members who love collecting points, you can get 3x UPoints if you berbuka puasa from 7pm onwards at selected F&B outlets here, such as TGI Friday’s, Sushi King, Starbucks, Shogun, Secret Recipe, Pizza Hit, Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul, Pasta Zanmai, Papparich, Absolute Thai, Betjeman & Barton, Burger King, Chilli’s, Coffee Bean, Fish & Co, KFC, Fat Little Duck, Madam Kwan’s, O’Briens and Nana’s Green Tea. That’s a lot to choose from.

Lots more activities await you here, such as dances and performances set to enthrall shoppers.

Thanks 1 Utama and Butterfly Project Malaysia for having me, it was blast and we definitely had a glimpse into the life and times of a real penghulu’s celebration in his kampung.