Flavours of Festivity: Epicurean Delights for Raya with California Raisins.

Flavours of Festivity: Epicurean Delights for Raya with California Raisins.| Last week, I managed to squeeze my time to join the Flavors of Festivity: Epicurean Delights for Raya, a pre-Ramadan celebration hosted by California Raisins, at Texture by C3 Lab in Atria Shopping Mall. 

The event, which also took over for two days was a vibrant showcase of the versatility and lifestyle appeal of California Raisins, perfectly timed for the festive Ramadan season. 

Pre-Ramadan Celebration by California Raisins

The event began with an enlightening introduction to California Raisins, emphasizing their journey from lush vineyards to becoming a key ingredient in both festive and everyday cuisine. Long renowned for their natural sweetness and nutritional content, California Raisins were celebrated as the star of the event.

We were served pastries and beverages made with California Raisins. Love the Latte that has raisins in it that surprisingly make a great coffee. We also have the chance to explore a specially set up Raisin Garden to explore and taste different varieties of California raisins. This immersive experience highlighted the diverse flavors and culinary appeal of raisins. 

An interactive photobooth, with props and slogans promoting California Raisins, was a highlight for guests, offering a fun way to capture and share memories of the event on social media. Guests were also encouraged to share the photos on social media, with the hashtags #ICALIFORNIARAISINS and #RAISINSFORRAYA, for the chance to win a basket of California Raisins. And again I didn't win anything. haha

A Celebration of California Raisin Recipes - Sweet By Nature

That day, we were treated with a range of raisin-themed culinary creations, courtesy of two of Malaysia's renowned pastry chefs. These demonstrations provided guests with innovative recipe ideas, blending traditional Raya flavors with contemporary culinary techniques.

Chef Aison

Chef Aison is a skilled artisan baker with a rich culinary background and is known for his creativity in producing artisan baked goods. He used his talents to create several unique California Raisin pastries, including California Raisin Hazelnut Babka, California Raisin Kouign-Amann, and California Raisin Carrot Cinnabon.

Chef Lawrence Bobo

Meanwhile, Chef Lawrence Bobo is known as 'The Mad Scientist' for his unique take on pastries and confectionaries. Here, he utilized his talent for patisseries to craft a series of sweet treats including California Raisin Apple Tarte Tatin, California Raisin Chocolate Orange Cake, and California Raisin Vanilla Petit Gateau.

Were also had a chance to enjoy the full epicurean experience during lunch. California Rasin & Calamansi Spritzer, and California Raisin Waldorf Salad as an appetizer. The main course consisted of delicious Nasi Briyani with choices of chicken or meat and of course, it used California Raisins.

Finally, the lunch ended on a sweet note with a California Raisin Apple Tarte Tatin, followed by California Raisin Chocolate Cake and California Raisin Vanilla Cake as petit fours. All the food is definitely delicious and we were really good that day.

Thank you for having me at this event we managed to take home a tote bag filled with California Raisin snacks, as well as booklets featuring recipes by Chef Aison and Chef Lawrence Bobo for us to try at home.

Raisins, the Happier, Festive Choice

As a conclusion, the event underscored the lifestyle benefits of incorporating California Raisins into daily diets, particularly during the festive season. As a natural sweetener and easy snack, California Raisins align with the aspirations of health-conscious consumers.

Flavors of Festivity was more than a culinary showcase; it was a celebration of the balanced, joyful lifestyle that California Raisins support. 

The event left us inspired and ready to infuse upcoming Raya celebrations with the rich, natural sweetness of California Raisins.

Celebrated for their premium quality and versatility, California Raisins are a staple in health-conscious kitchens. They offer a wholesome alternative to processed sugars, making them a perfect ingredient for festive and everyday cooking.

ABOUT THE RAISIN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE (RAC)

The Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC) is a non-profit organization that has its headquarters in Fresno, California, and is led by 47 California Raisin growers, packers and a public member. The RAC is directly overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and was created in 1949 to collect and distribute weekly delivery and monthly shipment data, publish an annual report on industry statistics and policies, and actively and directly market into 18 foreign nations as well as collaborate with the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service.

The RAC maintains offices in Singapore, China (including Hong Kong), Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and Mexico. All offices are staffed by contracted marketing specialists with over 100 years of promotional experience collectively. These offices conduct active marketing campaigns on behalf of the California Raisin industry to encourage sales of California Raisins. RAC's mission is to identify new markets, encourage demand via advertising, sales promotion and public relations. The RAC also distributes the results of health and nutrition research for the benefit of all industrial users and consumers.