Article and photos by HELEN ONG

Saturday 21 August was an auspicious date for the Dragon-i Group of Restaurants, as it was the day they launched their 14^th outlet, and their third in Penang, in Gurney Plaza’s new wing. The first was opened in Queensbay Mall in 2007, followed by the equally successful Canton-i in 2009.

YB Danny Law, Exco for Tourism Development and Culture arrived at 11am, to be greeted by the sound of Chinese drums even as his car pulled up at the entrance. Inside, MC Kevin Chong welcomed invitees and Press, and kicked off the programme by inviting the Group’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Henry Yip to give his speech.

“Response to the first Dragon-i in Queensbay Mall was so good that hungry customers were queueing up outside, sometimes for up to an hour, something that happens to this day. We had to thank our loyal customers by opening another outlet in Penang,” he said.

In his speech, Mr Yip also said that where possible they try to use local produce, and regaled the audience with an example of how he was eating Penang Char Kuey Teow in Lorong Selamat: he was so impressed with the fresh, crunchy and chemical-free prawns that he asked the owner about where they were from: Teluk Bahang. Now all their Penang outlets use them, and they are also exported to their outlet in Singapore

Mr Yip also commented on the challenges in the F&B industry, particularly in Penang, which although bright and vibrant with many new players coming in, is also very competitive, and how they constantly strive to be innovative and improve on their services.

YB Danny Law then gave his speech in return, noting that the group provides employment for over 100 Penangites, and is also helping Penang’s economy. He was also pleased that, in line with their cleanliness drive, Dragon-i’s central kitchen is HACCP-certified (a systematic preventive approach used to ensure that the food produced meets the highest standards in the industry). He finished by congratulating the group on the opening of the outlet.

As has now become the tradition with Dragon-i launches, and as part of their corporate social responsibility, the Group generously donated the outlet’s first day proceeds to three deserving local causes. The first was to the Penang Shan Children’s Home Association in Mount Erskine, which provides orphans and neglected children with a safe and supportive environment. Second recipient was SJK(C) Moh Ghee Pusat in Lorong Perak, which was constructed in the late 1950s and now requires extensive renovation and expansion. Final recipient was the WCC, Women’s Centre for Change in Penang which has been providing free services, support and shelter for abused women and children for the past 25 years. YB Danny, assisted by Mr Henry Yip and Dragon-i Director Dato’ Douglas Cheng, presented their representatives with mock cheques, each to the tune of RM10,000.

After that, acclaimed Electric Violinist & Songwriter, Mr Dennis Lau, the first Instrumentalist to be signed under Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia – Singapore gave a special Performance with a medley from his debut album “DiversiFy” in collaboration with Malaysia’s top saxophonist Jimmy Sax.

The ceremony was followed by a cheerful and loud lion dance, after which invitees sat down to a scrumptious lunch of Dragon-i signature dishes, including their famous Xiao Long Bao and Sauteed Diced Chicken with Dried Chillies.