During my recent Penang vacation, I attended my first invited food review at Ko-Fu-Loft (口福楼), Gurney Plaza. I was very delighted to be included in what is by far the largest gathering of Penang food bloggers attending a food review. I find the occasion an enjoyable one. We had a great time sharing our personal opinion on food, blogging experiences and photography tips. I would like to thank Criz Lai of Criz Bon Appetite and Jian of Cokeworld Citizen for graciously extending me the invitation to join the group. And also, I like to express my special thanks to Ms Alicia Ng and the management of Ko-Fu-Loft for arranging such a wonderful food tasting session for all of us.
Ko-Fu-Loft is a newly opened Chinese restaurant located at level 4 Plaza Gurney in place of Food Loft, the previous tenant. It specializes in a wide selection of Chinese cuisine ranging from appetizer, dim sum, main course to dessert. The interior decoration is well designed, with a touch of Oriental style that gives it a cozy and relaxing dining atmosphere.
The open kitchen concept allows diners to witness the food preparation done by the kitchen crew.
Photo (Left side): Ko-Fu-Loft’s main chefs – Chef Hong from Hong Kong (dim sum kitchen), an E&O chef (chinese kitchen) and Mr. Johnno (Executive Chef).
Photo (Right side): I was admiring at the chef on his swift and accurate cutting skill.
Apart from the main dining area, you can also choose to dine at the narrow passage locating at the right hand side of the main entrance. I enjoyed seeing those beautifully decorated bird cages hanging along this passage, which made me forgot to take a shot at the nice scenic Gurney Drive beneath. This strategic location was reserved for our review and photo-shooting.
Photo (Left side): Everyone swamped around the table like bees attracted to honey when the food was laid on the table for photoshooting.
Photo (Right side): Besides photoshooting and food tasting, we filled up a survey form to note down our personal opinion on the taste and presentation of each serving.
Look at how busy we were during the session: tasting, writing, discussing, photoshooting……I must say food reviewing can be a challenging task. The scenario reminded me of my campus days when we were assigned to complete our group project on a tight deadline.
Below is a list of food bloggers who had attended this food review (excluding myself) :
Allie of Allie Food Talk
Allen Ooi of Yummy Station
Bee of Buzzing with Food
Carrie Soon of Casiso Delicacies Corner
CW Chan of Now Eating
Criz Lai of Criz Bon Appetite
CK Lam of What2See: The Best of Penang Food!
Christy K of Food Diary of Picker Eater
Cheryl Wee of Nuttyeve9
Eunice, Siew Ying & Iris of Food Promotions
Gill & Jason of Gourmet Garden
Huat Koay of Penang Tuapui
Jian of Cokeworld Citizen
Mary Teo of Food Paradise
Steven Goh of Steven Goh’s Penang Food, Budget Travel and Unique Lifestyle
Chef Khoon of KDU F&B Lecturer (site pending)
For this review, we were served 2 appetizers, 6 dim sums, 6 main courses and 1 dessert. Want to know what is my verdict? Read more on my Part 2!
* UPDATE: This restaurant had ceased its operation on 2nd March 2010.
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How very interesting! Eager for part 2.
Ching: Stay tuned! Will be out soon. 😉
Ooooo.. looks like you had a lot of fun! The deco at the restaurant looks authentic!!
Lee Mei (MCH): Hehehe! I didn’t know that group review can be so enjoyable and fun. 😉
It was nice catching up with you again.
CK Lam: Tks for sharing so many valuable blogging experiences with me. 😉
Waiting for the food…in part 2, I suppose? ;p
Tigerfish: Yeah! Coming soon!
We have 口福 in SG but it’s a food court. Not sure whether they’re related?
Dora: I am not sure about it too. 😉
Lovely photos. It was great to meet you with you that day! 🙂
Buzzingbee: Tks!! Nice to know you too. Hope I have the opportunity to catch up with you in my next Pg trip. 😉
Nice photos! Big post is sure hard to write huh ;P
Email2me: Tks for your compliments! Yeah, still scratching my head and squeezing my brain juice now. 😉
Can’t wait for the food, where is the food huh?
This is really a brialiant way of marketing by calling bloggers for food tasting, even better if they call foodies like us who know how to cook.
Big boss out there! Are you listening? :p
Homeladychef: The food will be featured in my Part II. Don’t worry I will help you to spread this message. Hehehe! Btw, congrats for being in the top 10 finalist and I had voted for you. 😉
Aiyoo.. so sad I didnt managed to make it. I wanted to meet the bloggers that I havent met before! See u in Aug?
The Normad Gourmand: Hope that we have the opportunity to meet up in future. Are you coming to Singapore this August?
Hi Food 4 tots: Thanks for your vote & support! 🙂
Homeladychef: You are welcome!!
wow you forgotten me! lol! 🙂
BBO: Hehehe! I am not the organiser. 😉 But I am sure you will be in the invited list if you were not in Singapore during that time. 😉
Sounds like fun! The birdcages are lovely.
Lisa: Yes, the bird cages are very eye-catching. 😉
Ain’t it happening? LOL
Jian: As a Penangite, I am so proud that invited food review is a popular event in Penang. Nice meeting you! 😉
so when are you coming back again? we’ll arrange another review or gathering. 🙂
NKOTB: Usually it is during school holidays. Hope we can meet up again. 😉
Nice meeting you…
Looking forward to your Part II. 🙂
Food Promotion: Tks!! Nice meeting you too. Part II is published now. 😉
Great intro! Can’t wait for your part II.
Allie: Tks!! Your review and photos are great too. 😉
You managed to snap those photos of us busy ‘working’ !
Cariso: Hehehe! I luv candid shots. 😉
G’day, I’m Leslie from Penang.cc (Penang Community Centre). I enjoy reading your articles and would like to request permission to feature the article on Ko Fu Loft Restaurant 口福楼 in our website (for more info visit http://www.mrain.com/pgcc/content/view/188/49/). In addition, we will like to extent invitation for your participation in our Bloggers’ Appreciation Programme (find out more at http://www.mrain.com/pgcc/content/view/158/69/). Join us to participate in our invited reviews for travel destinations, dinnings, product & services etc., at the same time receive exclusive deals & prizes for your readers. Kindly email me at leslie.loh@penang.cc for more information. TQ
Leslie: Thanks for the featuring! Really appreciate it. 😉