Blast from the Past - Five27 & Chef Nizar Achmad

We were part of Penang history when Nordic cuisine got itself acquainted with the islanders’ palate. The restaurant was Five27 – a bistro lounge that offered gastronomical dishes from Northern Europe.

Five27 engaged us to help them launch their new bar concept, to which we held an unofficial launch party to introduce the food to the media.

Headed by Chef Nizar Achmad – an Indonesian Chef who has an extensive array of culinary experience up his sleeve (14 years in Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia), and who had defined his culinary style as “New Nordic Cuisine”; Five27 was the first New Nordic concept restaurant to be opened not only in Penang, but in Malaysia. The name Five27 is no mystery, and there’s nothing Nordic about it. The name was in fact based on the latitude that crosses the restaurant’s exact location – 5°27’27”N.

Alongside promoting the restaurant, we also represented Chef Nizar, and helped him build his profile. Nizar has cooked for stars, royalty, and a number of other well-known figures. He cooked for a Nobel Prize dinner in Stockholm, had a restaurant where Tiger Woods once dined, and he also practiced his culinary skills at a bar and restaurant patronised by Crown Princess Victoria.

We also hosted media for a private fashion show held at the restaurant. It served as a teaser for a collection by another client of ours, who was also one of Five27 shareholders.

The food was not all ‘fish and potatoes’ as some might imagine; although they were good too. It delves deeper into flavour, presentation, and a few molecular gastronomy techniques that are commonly pinned to Heston Blumenthal. It was bright and light; subtle flavours yet complex taste. It was the perfect seaside food, and the eating experience was enriched by the restaurant’s location – on the Straits Quay Marina with a view over the open water.

Chef Nizar Achmad

Beast by BIG’s Nordic Feast by Foodsion

Exploring Nordic Flavours by The Star Metro

Nordic Foods In Penang by Guang Ming Daily