If you haven’t heard of it, or if you haven’t been there, then you’d have most likely heard of it. There’s a new concept supermarket, not your average supermarket, a new concept supermarket in town called, “Ben’s Independent Grocer” aka B.I.G. Dedicated to purveying quality produce, B.I.G covers an area of 50,000 square feet within Publika, Solaris Dutamas.
But of course they’re going to be needing all that space if they’re going to offer the urban family a perfect avenue to eat, drink, and shop simultaneously. Yes, you heard right. Eat, drink, and shop! We can already hear the epicurean Malaysian in you squealing with glee.
So, here’s the thing.
The BIG Group (the wonderful people behind B.I.G) will be holding an inaugural two-day food-feast-ival named, “The BIG B.I.G. Weekend” will be held on 26th and 27th May (that’s this weekend, all weekend!), aimed at introducing Ben’s Independent Grocer (B.I.G.) to the public. Yay!
An interesting line-up of activities will delight food-lovers and families alike:
26th May 2012 (Saturday)
The weekend kicks of with an attempt at plating up a gargantuan portion of one of Malaysia’s most popular breakfast dishes. Named “The BIG B.I.G. Nasi Lemak“, this event from 9am to 11am serves as a reminder to the public that B.I.G. remains a home-grown brand and remains true to its roots.
Later in the evening, B.I.G. will be throwing a huge concert, “The B.I.G. Bang” featuring local jazz and soul performers. Themed as an outdoor, country barn-influenced music festival, members of the public will feast on the good food that The BIG Group is renowned for, accompanied by the smooth sounds of chillout acts from 8pm onwards.
27th May 2012 (Sunday)
Sunday starts with “The B.I.G. Bubbly Brunch“, held at Ben’s Independent Grocer from 11am to 2pm. At this champagne brunch, a free flow of Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin will accompany a scrumptious selection of gourmet delights from a menu designed to reflect each aspect of The BIG Group’s outlets.
The B.I.G. Bubbly Brunch will be held at Ben’s General Food Store within Ben’s Independent Grocer and is strictly reservations-only (03-62091717). Prices are RM150 per pax or RM100 without champagne.
To wrap things up, a family-oriented feast at The Square, Publika’s outdoor auditorium will be held. “The B.I.G. BBQ“, held from 1pm to 8pm will be a great gathering of friends and family in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Ride the mechanical bull and feast on favourites such as hot dogs and hamburgers, healthy salads and assorted taste bud ticklers during this barn-style event, followed by a free movie viewing in the auditorium.
26th & 27th May 2012 (Saturday & Sunday)
A jam-packed line-up of activities, tastings, samplings and games will be scattered throughout B.I.G. and various locations around Publika. Within B.I.G., shoppers will fully experience everything the supermarket has to offer, with activities such as curry puff making demos, sashimi slicing sessions and a plethora of fun and games for children. Highlighting “Barn Butchery” will be the “Sausage Sizzler“, an Australian-influenced hot dog cookout as well as a “Meat Mastery” demo by B.I.G.’s Chief Butcher, Daniel Greig.
The newly constructed “Cooking School” section, located adjacent to the wine section “Booze.it” will play host to interactive cooking demonstrations and exciting tasting sessions. Guest chefs include Mohana Gill, author of cookbooks such as “Fruitastic!”. Participation in these cooking demos require pre-bookings to social@thebiggroup.co. Additionally a gameshow style competition called “The Price is Betul” will be held at the main entrance, where contestants will walk away with exciting prizes for accurately guessing the price of common supermarket items.
So go eat, drink, and be merry, this weekend, all weekend! B.I.G. is located at:
Lot 1A, 83-95, Level UG1
Publika, Jalan Dutamas 1
Solaris Dutamas, 50480
Kuala Lumpur.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
