70,000 visitors flock Penang Street Food Festival

GEORGE TOWN: An estimated 70,000 local and foreign food lovers flocked to the Penang Street Food Festival which was held at Beach Street here.
Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, in his speech, said he had confidence the number of visitors would reach 150,000.
Lim said, the event held in conjunction with the National Day celebration, offered a variety of local cuisines for foodies to sample, organised by TLM Event Company and endorsed by Penang Global Tourism, the state's tourism bureau.
"With the overwhelming response, I believe the number of visitors to the festival will break the previous record of 100,00 visitors in the first held Penang Street Food Festival on Apr this year," he said while officiating the food festival.
Also present were Penang deputy chief minister I Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, the state Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, and the TLM Events managing director Jack Wong.
The two-day food festival starts from 5pm until 11pm, and will end on Sept 2.
"Penangites believe that the unique taste of Penang flavours will make every meal in here a memorable one.
"We are focused on preserving not just the delicious taste of our street food but also its heritage value by implementing the local cook ruling.
"This rule requiring local people to cook street food applies to hawkers, not hotels or restaurants.
"Once cooked by foreign workers the taste is gone, Penang is intent on preserving the authentic taste and flavours of Penang street food," he said.
Lim said the Penang Street Food Festival was aimed to put Penang on the world map, showcasing local delicacies.