WHAT A GATHERING of foodies! The patrons of the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang and Spa's Spice Market Cafe, already quite busy despite it being a Tuesday night, had an additional group last night: five food writers from the US who had been flown to Malaysia by MATRADE to sample our delicious offerings. They had just arrived by bus from KL but along the way had stopped at various interesting "eating points".

MATRADE's "Malaysia Kitchen for the World" is, according to their gumph, a global initiative of the MsiN Govt that "aims to educate and inform consumers about Malaysian cuisine and restaurants throughout the world". This group were from New York, and they are seeking to "boost interest (in Msian cuisine) among American food lovers". The group was led by Suresh Kumar who is Director of MATRADE Northern Regional Office.

Unfortunately I didn't get all their biz cards (and in fact, I'd run out myself too, for shame, for shame), but they were all, typically American, very friendly and forthcoming. Nancy Davidson is a freelance restaurant and food writer, Diane Stopford, and there's Adeena Sussman who's in the pix having a go at the roti jala. Hope to meet them again when I'm next in US.

The SMC really did us proud. First of all there was a simple demo of how to make roti jala at which they tried their hand, and then the chef demonstrated how to cook chicken curry, which we sampled after. It must be sooo different for them, all the different herbs and spices that we use here; having said that, it would be just as strange for many of us to go over to US and try some of the food that they eat - grits being a case in point.

Then they were let loose to try the various offerings and as one of the best buffets in Penang (and I really mean this) there was a LOT to sample! The fresh seafood is always a hit, and so was the cooking "theatre".

Noodle Station offered quite a passable Mee Rebus, and they even knocked up some Char Kuey Teow for us although the Beef Rendang wasn't up to standard - a bit too sweet I felt, as was the Gula Melaka with Sago that they served a table - much too much syrup and far too little santan. However everyone was suitably impressed.

It was a pleasure to meet fellow writers from another part of the world, all of whom have one thing in common: food, and promoting it to all and sundry. Welcome to Penang guys, and hope you are enjoying your short stay here. (The lucky things are being put up at the Rasa, but of course.)