Hwa Tai Appreciation Dinner 2009

Hwa Tai Industries Berhad, a very successful Malaysian biscuits manufacturer had its annual appreciation dinner for all their key suppliers on Thursday at The Shangri-La Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.

Hwa Tai Industries Berhad (HTIB) is one of the premier and long established biscuit manufacturers in Malaysia. Established in 1962 and listed on the Stock Exchange Malaysia in 1992. Since then, this fast expanding company has grown to be one of the largest players in the biscuits industry in the country and produce a fine, wide range of superior quality biscuits. It has been successfully marketed domestically and internationally through HTIB’s own vast and comprehensive distribution network. Their biscuits are marketed under the brand name or trademark of “HWA TAI” and “LUXURY”.

They engaged three great people that evening, Dennis Lau (the violinist), Siti Nurhaliza (the pop diva) and me (the photographer). Dennis was mesmerising with his special touch on his digital violin together with his co-performer, Jimmy Sax. And Siti Nurhaliza was a bomb, no doubt. Great voice, great looks! And Babyboss Pictures gave you all these pictures! Haha...

Back to the biscuits, I personally like the D'Lite range of crackers especially the "Pizza" flavoured one!

They had hundreds of packets of D'Lite range of biscuits displayed at the display shelves just shouting "try me, try me". So, I tried the "Pizza" flavoured one and instantly fell in love with it. I whacked up the whole packet!

No event is complete without these female usherettes. This shot taken at the specially designed photo wall where the "Hwa Tai" logos glow!

Group Chief Executive Director, Mr Airique Soo, giving his opening welcome speech.

Dennis Lau doing his magical stuffs on his digital violin.

Digital violin (or maybe its called an "electronic violin") means it can sample literally any sound from its tone generator. When I was still teaching in Yamaha those days, I used synthesizers and sequencers to make music. But now, one digital keyboard or commonly known as a workstation coupled to a computer, can do the job of a 50-piece orchestra!

Very expressive. But Dennis, you are always closing your eyes...maybe just a little too often. As a performer, eye contact is very important. Just my observation and opinion.

Dennis's co-performer, Jimmy Sax. Probably the best saxophonist in the country?

Dinner was simply awesome. They served western cuisine, fine dining style with red wine! And the best part was, they also incorporated Hwa Tai biscuits into the serving.

Smoked salmon with mashed potato...and Hwa Tai biscuit. Yummy!

Since I was the event's photographer, I had to keep shooting. My job was to shoot and not to eat! So, I think I missed two other dishes before this red-looking thingy. This was desert.

Not only the food was delicious, the dancers were "delicious" too. On one of the dance set, the dancers came out in "African Zulu" outfits. Naturally they wore very little. My fast lens caught this sight. He was on a g-string. Nice!

Siti Nurhaliza stole the evening's attention by rendering some of her top numbers, including a Mandarin oldie from Teresa Teng. It was obvious that the crowd responded very well with her performance. Great voice, great tone and superb control. No doubt she truly earns herself all the awards at the recent Anugerah Industry Music (AIM).

Still the same cute smiling and adorable face. Never seem to grow old.

I have seen her perform live in several past concerts, the last one being TV3' Sure Heboh concert some 2-3 years back. Watching and listening to Siti again was almost a dream come true. Deeply fascinated by her vocal abilities.

The Chairman, Mr Soo Thien Ming, having a light chat with some of his suppliers towards the end of the event.