Whether you know him from his memorable stints on MasterChef Australia or you’re lucky enough to have tried his dessert firsthand at Sydney’s KOI Dessert Bar, Reynold Poernomo is undoubtedly a reputed name in the culinary world.
A week before we touched down on Langkawi Island to indulge in a stay to remember at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, Reynold Poernomo was just beginning his training with the luxury resort’s pastry team. They were to recreate ‘Legenda’, Poernomo’s exclusive dessert that would be served at Hai Yan for the next three months.
It’s one thing to meet the Reynold Poernomo after having only seen him on television — first on MasterChef Australia Season 7, then later on its 13th season and its spin-off Dessert Masters — it’s another thing altogether to watch the culinary legend at work. I certainly consider myself among the fortunate few to have been present at the special dessert masterclass held at the resort’s Hai Yan restaurant. Ten lucky winners of the Marriott Bonvoy Moment, along with their guests, were guided by the ‘Dessert King’ himself to create a simplified version of ‘Legenda’, and later treated to an exclusive meet-and-greet session with Poernomo.
The Indonesian-Australian dessert expert has never been one to shy away from experimenting with his creations. While he might started out as a self-taught cook, Poernomo rightfully earned the title of ‘Dessert King’ after having constantly impressed not only the Dessert Masters judges, but also later the patrons of KOI Dessert Bar, his very own fine-dining restaurant in Sydney specialising in experimental desserts. (KOI Dessert Bar is set to open another outlet in Melbourne very soon.)
Specially created for The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, ‘Legenda’ experiments with the flavours of Malaysia: gula melaka, coconut, mango, lychee and roselle. This fruity, tropical compound is encased in a white chocolate shell and topped with drops of a mango and lime emulsion. And of course, in true Poernomo fashion, eating the dessert is an experience in itself.
“Just crack into it and enjoy,” he’d told us, after we’d marvelled at the gorgeous plating for long enough. As I began to dig in, I noticed the many textures that came into play with ‘Legenda’, from the exterior coating of the white chocolate to the coconut vanilla whipped ganache. The intricate tropical flavours feel like a journey of the taste buds — sweet, tart and refreshing all at once.
‘Legenda’ by Reynold Poernomo, priced at RM38, will be available from now until the end of September 2024 at the Hai Yan restaurant located in The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi.
An unforgettable stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi
On top of getting to meet the renowned Reynold Poernomo and enjoying his ‘Legenda’, we also got to indulge in a taste of what the five-star luxury resort has to offer. If you find yourself already making plans to jet off to the island and book an extended stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, here are just a couple of spots for you to add to your itinerary.
Breakfast at Langkawi Kitchen; lunch at The Beach Grill; dinner and drinks at Horizon
If you somehow only have one day to stuff yourself with the best food in the resort, here’s our recommended order. Langkawi Kitchen is the resort’s love letter to nature. You’ll find yourself surrounded by the lush greenery of the rainforests — so while you enjoy your nasi lemak or eggs-any-way, do take the chance to look outside and catch flying hornbills or giant squirrels!
At The Beach Grill, seafood is the name of the game. From lobster tacos and soft shell crab bao buns to tuna tataki, you can bet you’ll only get the freshest of seafood here. And being situated right against the beach, it’s all relaxed vibes as you take in the endless waters and calming waves.
Finally, for a more chilled-down end to your day, Horizon offers a spectacular view of the sunset. Enjoy a bite of the Sa-Te Kai or squid ink nasi goreng as the wind carries you to ultimate relaxation — and then come sundown, bop your head to the beat as the resident DJ takes over.
The award-winning Ritz-Carlton Spa
I’d seen the conically-shaped structures on the pamphlets prior to my stay, but never did I imagine they would be housing the iconic Ritz-Carlton Spa. Inspired by the traditional bubu (indigenous fish traps), these unique structures float over the rushing waters — perfect for a relaxing spa experience. The Ritz-Carlton Spa is also the only Hammam facility on the whole of Langkawi Island, so you wouldn’t want to miss your chance! While you’re at it, take a dip in the spa’s Vitality Pools for the ultimate healing experience.
To learn more about The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, head to its official website HERE.
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Written by
Puteri Yasmin Suraya
Senior Writer, Features and Tech
Hailing from an English Literature & Creative Writing background, Yasmin has a deep love for fiction and poetry. When she’s not reading or café-hopping, she spends most of her time in the comfort of her own room binge-watching period romances, (badly) belting out show tunes, and curating Spotify playlists to match her mood for the week.
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