The Shangri-La Hotel commemorates Malaysia's 49th year of independence on August 31 with a special National Day buffet prepared by chefs flown in from Kuala Lumpur.

The delicacies are available at Next2 Cafe and Terrace from today through September 3.

On the menu are sup ekor lembu (oxtail soup), kerabu daun Ceylon (Ceylon leaves salad), rendang tok (beef rendang) and ikan kembung sumbat kelapa (stuffed fish with spicy coconut) to name a few.

Call (02) 236 7777 or (02) 236 9952.

Wente wine dinner

Wente, a famous name in wine, is inviting diners to sample its vintages at a five-course dinner tomorrow at 7pm in the Dusit Thani Hotel's Hamilton's Steakhouse.

The wine will be presented by Michael Parr, director of the Wente Family Estate, the oldest winery in California to be continuously owned and managed by the same family. The cost is Bt2,500 per person and Bt2,200 for Wine Club members.

Call (02) 200 9000, extension 2599.

Seeking best bartender

Bartenders from leading hotels along the eastern seaboard will meet at the Dusit Resort Pattaya's Napalai Convention Hall on September 13 in one of the most awaited food and beverage events, the Bartender and Miss Bartender Contest 2006.

The contest, themed "Pattaya Cabaret", starts at 6pm.

Contestants will be judged on flair, creativity and presentation.

The jurors, most of whom are from the food and beverage industry, will evaluate the contestant's skills and the overall merits of each cocktail. This year's winners will get a cash prize, trophy and certificate and will go on to compete in this year's Asian Bartender Contest.

The event will also feature competitions in table skirting, table setting, wedding cake design, fruit and vegetable carving, canapé presentation and flower centrepieces.

Winners of these competitions will be announced during the Bartender Contest and will receive a cash prize, trophy and certificate.

Call (038) 425 611-7 extension 2128.

Awards for excellence

Pattaya's Royal Cliff Beach Resort has something to crow about: Its Chrysanthemum Palace Cantonese restaurant has received an award for excellence from New York's Wine Spectacular magazine for the first time, and its Grill Room and wine cellar have won for the fourth year in a row.

The Cantonese restaurant offers specialities prepared by a Hong Kong chef, while the Grill Room boasts a wine cellar crammed with more than 1,000 labels from all over the world.

The Grill Room offers daily set meals starting at Bt850 that can be enjoyed at its new terrace.

With its authentic regional cuisine and homemade pasta, the Italian restaurant Rossini was granted the same award in 2004 and 2005.

The Royal Cliff Beach Resort has 10 restaurants, including Thai, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Indian and European.

Call (038) 250 421, extension 2037 or 2007.

The editor can be contacted at focusfood@nationgroup.com.

Compiled by Juthamas Cholthavornpong