The Bean & Bite Festival at Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri, is attracting many coffee enthusiasts. It ends tomorrow. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
COFFEE lovers are in for a journey of discovery during the Bean & Bite Festival that promises a wide range of choices.
Organised by Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld), the event features over 50 booths that include artisan coffee brewers, bakers, dessert makers and start-ups from Malaysia and Singapore.
“Bean & Bite Festival is about creating a space where passion meets community,” said EcoWorld southern region divisional general manager Phan Yan Chan.
He said by hosting Johor Baru’s first artisan coffee and pastry festival, the company was bringing together talented artisans, passionate food lovers and families in one vibrant space.
“We hope to make it an annual event in line with our vision of making Eco Botanic City a true lifestyle and cultural destination,” said Phan.
Singapore’s Annabella Patisserie senior sales manager Teh Lee Sin said, “The event gives us the opportunity to reach Malaysian consumers by promoting our products.”
He said many Malaysians also patronised the company’s two outlets in the republic, at Compass One and Causeway Point.
Chong (right) attending to visitors at her booth.
“Our macarons remain the best selling product with rose, Earl Grey tea, chocolate, cotton candy and sea-salt caramel as the top flavours.”
Husband-and-wife team Lim Chuan Hao and Raisa Chong own The Atlas Bakery at EcoGalleria, where the event is taking place.
“The event is a good platform to introduce our products.
“We hope to attract more regulars to our bakery,” said Chong.
Lim said they have been involved in the pastry business for 10 years and opening the bakery was a bold step.
“Customers nowadays are willing to pay to enjoy a good cup of coffee or freshly baked pastries,” he said.
Meanwhile, The Kettle Gourmet brand is banking on popcorn with local flavour twists, corn sticks and brownie crisps to attract customers.
Its country manager for Malaysia Leon Chan said the company’s popcorn products have been selling well in the market.
“The company started in Singapore in 2019 and its owner decided to open a plant in Shah Alam, Selangor, in January last year,” said Chan.
The Bean & Bite Festival runs from noon to 10pm at Eco Galleria, Iskandar Puteri, and ends tomorrow.
