A culinary storm is brewing over Malaysia this month, as the weather forecast predicts “It’s Raining Chefs” all month long. The Malaysia International Gourmet Festival, the region’s most prestigious gastronomy event, returns this year with a lighthearted theme that focuses on fine dining as a fun experience.

MIGF 2011 features 28 of Malaysia’s top restaurants and their resident Master Chefs, who have rained down from all over the world to bring you specially prepared Festival Menus at amazing Festival Prices. Prepare to be caught in a flood of culinary creativity in a broad range of cuisines.

From its inception in 2001, MIGF’s aim has been to make fine dining more affordable, less intimidating and accessible to all. The set Festival Menus makes a foray into the world of fine dining easier for first-time diners, while prices starting from RM98, all the way up to a gastronomic extravaganza of seven courses, means there is a meal to suit every palate and budget.

This is also a great opportunity to have a new dining experience with family and friends, as there are special discounts on group bookings at selected restaurants.

It’s not just all about the food, though, as there is a wide range of discounts on wines, champagne and cigars to accompany your gustatory experience. Good food and good wine are synonymous, so do take advantage of the Festival Menus with wine pairings specially prepared by expert sommeliers. Watch and learn about the presentation styles of different Master Chefs, the thoughtful sequencing of courses and the individual stamp each Master Chef places on your dish.

If you or someone dear to you is celebrating a birthday in October, do take up the offer of a free birthday cake at selected restaurants. There are also anniversary and honeymoon offers.

More than just fine wining and dining, MIGF offers diners special discounts on hotel room rates, spas and Christmas and yearend offers, while you can pick up invaluable tips from the Master Chefs at their cooking classes.

Personalised all-in-one Gourmet Tours are also available at numerous top-quality hotels in and around KL, with packages combining accommodation, gourmet meals and city tours, and options such as golfing and spa treatments.

Fine dining has never been more fun, as the public found out at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur during the event’s Media Launch. With some 200 chefs raining down to the Centre Court and dancing to The Weather Girls’ It’s Raining Men, it was an enjoyable kick-off to an exciting month of great dining.

So be daring and learn more about fine innovative cuisine from all around the world, right here in Malaysia.