With the birth of Baby Karlson, I'm back in Penang almost every other weekend. Just last weekend, Time Out Penang together with Gurney Paragon Mall launched their Penang Food & Beverage Guide booklet. If you are having a headache where to have your meals in Gurney Paragon Mall, fret not, as they have come out with their first ever comprehensive food and beverage guide. 
Time Out Penang Food & Beverage Guide Launch @ Gurney Paragon Mall
As I was back in Penang, I had the opportunity to get invited to witness the launching ceremony at St Jo's Level 1 Gurney Paragon Mall on the 10th of May 2014. The launch event was officiated by the Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, YB Danny Law, Hunza Group Executive Director, Ms Khor Tze Ming and Mongoose Publishing Chief Content Office, Mr Matt Bellotti. 
Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, YB Danny Law giving his speech
Penang State Exco for Tourism Development, YB Danny Law, Hunza Group Executive Director, Ms Khor Tze Ming and Mongoose Publishing Chief Content Office, Mr Matt Bellotti.
On the same day, Time Out Penang 2014/15 annual magazine was also launched and is now opened for sale to the public. The magazine provides an array of information such as the best place to shop in Penang, the best heritage sites, the best education institutions, and most importantly, the best food you can find in Penang.
The huge mock up version of Time Out Penang Food & Beverage Guide
The comprehensive Gurney Paragon Mall's food and beverage guide covers all the F&B outlets in the mall, from the world renowned franchise brands like TGI Friday's, Starbucks to cosmopolitan local outlets such as Ben's and Brussels Beer Cafe. I found the booklet to be rather user friendly, as it has the outlet's business hours, contact numbers, websites, and even price ratings.
The VIPs with the various F&B representatives of Gurney Paragon Mall
The guide booklet itself came in this small form factor, enabling us to bring it alone as we search for the right drinks, snacks or meal. Every entry, as I was told, has been reviewed by the Time Out team to present the most comprehensive guide possible to the food and beverage treats at Gurney Paragon Mall.
Pretty Penang bloggers, Amber, Camy, and Emily at the launch
More smiling faces from Penang, Steven, Criz, Criz's bro, and Barry
After the launching of the food and beverage guide, there was a rather interesting Penang Laksa Eating competition held at the same venue, followed by Penang Laksa Cooking Competition. 10 participants in the Laksa Eating Competition had to finish a huge 1kg bowl of laksa as fast as they can to win.
The chef preparing the 1kg bowls of laksa for the Penang laksa Eating Competition
Ready, set, GO!
Among the witnesses of the event were Gurney Paragon Mall's F&B outlets' owners and representatives, food bloggers, and the media. I was just there to check out how the booklet fared. I must say I have never seen such a comprehensive shopping mall food guide before. So the next time you're over at Gurney Paragon Mall, do pick up this guide book and you may just find your favourite 'makan makan' restaurant.
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