KUALA LUMPUR, 6 September 2019 ­– The Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s (the Centre) Deputy General Manager, John Burke (3rd from L), Executive Chef, Hisham bin Jaafar (2nd from L) and Executive Pastry Chef, Jamaluddin bin Zainal Abidin (4th from L) with Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah (5th from R) and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah (4th from R), after the Centre presented its royal creation titled ‘Chocolate Bonsai’, at the annual cake presentation at Istana Negara, held in conjunction with Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday celebration on 9 September 2019.

This year’s regal creation took three team members a full week (spending over 20 hours each day) to build and it featured nine compartments, stuffed full of delicious decadent delights, including chocolate cigars; caramel brownies; raspberry, passion fruit, and lychee infused sweets; and durian, banana, yuzu, raspberry, hazelnut and almond flavoured chocolates.

Chef Jamaluddin shared, “Weighing close to 30kg, this year’s cake was inspired by a bonsai tree, which generally symbolises harmony, peace, order of thoughts, balance and all that is good in nature. This reflects His Majesty’s caring attitude and humility which is why we decided on this design. We also incorporated intricately handcrafted modern designs and individually-carved motifs, which are influenced by Malaysia’s rich multicultural heritage.”

He concluded, “It was an honour to present our creation to Yang di-Pertuan Agong and I am delighted His Majesty liked the Bonsai cake, particularly our chocolate cigars. It was also very pleasing to see Her Majesty enjoying our durian flavoured chocolate.”