Can this be Malaysia’s ‘panettone’ moment? Taste Ang Bo Ling’s competition loaf before he takes it to Milan

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 — Ang Bo Ling, owner of Twenty-Two Bakery, is inviting the public to taste his Classico panettone before it competes at the Panettone World Cup in Milan. The bakery will host Panettone Tasting Sessions this October, allowing customers to experience the nearly 100 batches of the loaf he has developed since winning the Traditional Category at last year's Asia Selection in Singapore.

Ang's methodical approach to baking, shaped by his background in specialty coffee, has led him to develop the panettone with three objectives in mind: adapting to the flour required for the competition, extending the loaf's shelf life, and improving its flavors. The panettone will be made using Italian panettone flour, a departure from the ordinary bread flour used for his winning Classico in Singapore.

Ang believes that panettone's unfamiliarity in Malaysia makes the tasting experience particularly important, as many people's first encounter with it is a commercially produced version. The tasting sessions will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the work behind the panettone, experience its aroma, crumb, texture, and flavor, and share their thoughts before Ang leaves for Milan.