Members and guests gathered for a Spring Festival Dinner. Our first formal event to celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. We have finally returned to enjoying events and creating memories after the long-awaited easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Brunei.

We were honoured to welcome our distinguished guest Madame Bouvier-Loisel, Deputy Head of Mission at the French Embassy in Brunei.

The evening began with a toast by Dr Colin Ong. “Gong Xi Fa Cai” wishes of abundance, happiness, good health, joy, love, peace and prosperity were then proposed by Bailli Délégué Nicoline van den Berg-Alma. [NB. The loose translation of Gong Xi Fa Cai in Mandarin is “wishing you prosperity in the coming year,” while the Cantonese translation is “wishing you happiness and prosperity.”]

Nicoline gratefully thanked Chancelier Bettina Salher and Dame de la Chaîne Jinnise Wong for planning the celebratory dinner.

MENU

Salad lobster cruiser

Szechuan hot and sour soup

Jin Hua steamed chicken
with chicken ham and Hong Kong Kai Lan

Award-winning double taste grouper

Yam basket
asparagus, scallops in XO sauce

Double taste prawns

‘Eight Treasures’ stuffed duck

Chinese crullers (youtiao)
sweetened condensed milk

Aromatic local coffee or pulled tea

It was a real delight to savour the fine quality of the menu which reflected appetizing, fresh delicacies. The Chef’s skilled presentation and discreet kitchen brigade behind the scenes made for a sumptuous spring feast.

An amusing critique by our Argentier Honoraire kept everyone entertained. Menu highlights were the phenomenal prawn duo, with a subtle hint of wasabi and the delectable dessert of crispy warm crullers.

Dr Henry Kwok, Bailli Délégué Honoraire, toasted the Chaîne and thus our first formal event for 2023 was declared a resounding success!

Nicoline van den Berg-Alma
Bailli Délégué