Before I go on to the food I tasted last night at the Theatre of Cuisines of Malaysia International Gourmet Festival 2012, I walked around the Gourmet Village which has around 80 stations offering fine wines, spirits, cigars, cheeses, gourmet chocolates, gelato and many other fine foods.

At most of the stations, visitors get to sample the food and drinks on offer. It’s also an opportunity to chat with the people behind the businesses to find out more about what’s happening.

Spotted at Twinings was the Limited Edition Diamond Jubilee Tea in specially designed canisters. Collectors’ items for tea addicts like yours truly. The tea isn’t newly created though as it was originally created in 2002 to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. This is a blend of whole loose leaf tea which combines the rich malty second flush Assam from the Brahmaputra Valley in North Eastern Assam with the smooth, mellow Yunnan from South Western China. The Diamond Jubilee Tea retails at RM45.

While we are on products from Britain, check out Harrod’s station at Gourmet Village as you can sample their absolutely divine and moist red velvet cupcakes. Diamond Jubilee memorabilia such as cups and plates are on sale there and you can pick up their cookies and preserves. The teddy bears are so cute and cuddly. I spoke to the F & B Manager regarding the opening of their new cafe in KLCC. Apparently, it is scheduled for opening in January 2013 and will be a more casual cafe than the current cafe serving up salads, sandwiches and hot foods at more consumer-friendly prices. Can’t wait to check out the new outlet in a few months.

These products are from Aotearoa a.k.a Land of the Long White Cloud a.k.a. New Zealand. This is a country which produces a lot of fine foods such as condiments, relishes, preserves and jams. Drop by Awana Sanctuary’s station for some food sampling, their juices are concentrated and much better than the average juices available from supermarkets. There’s a wide variety of Maison Therese preserves available, you can sample them with baguette slices. I liked the piccalilli (chunky cauliflower, gherkins and onions blended with a mustard and tumeric sauce) the most. There are also various macadamia nuts available ranging from honey to chilli macadamias.