IT is an undeniable fact that Malaysians are blessed with an abundance of food.

It comes as no surprise as Malaysia is a melting pot where one can see many races with a variety of food thrown in.

This is further complimented by fast food chains like McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Burger King. Also, not to forget dining restaurants like the Manhattan Fish Market, San Francisco Steakhouse and Nando's.

However, another important fact that we need to keep in mind is that obesity rate among Malaysians has skyrocketed over the years.

We see young children who struggle to go up the stairs. We see young women who sigh at beautiful dresses that they can't get into. We see men who walk around with a big belly.

And as a result, people have started contributing to the mushrooming fitness centres, with hopes that their personal trainers could do wonders to their expanding waistline. But, do they know that the food we take also can be cause for obesity?

With this in mind, we should be smart when we choose our meals. And last week, I found a perfect place where I get to eat without worrying about gaining weight.

Yes. Kenny Rogers Roasters it is.

Kenny Rogers was originally set up by popular country and Western singer Kenny Rogers, and former Governor of the state of Kentucky, John Brown Jr and opened its first restaurant in Coral Spring, Florida in August 1991.

Internationally, Kenny Rogers has expanded to various countries around the world and has restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore, China, Dubai, Australia and the Philippines.

'I've no complaints'

Last week, I had an opportunity to have lunch at Kenny Rogers Roasters KL Sentral with a colleague, and we tried Kenny's Spicy BBQ Chicken meal, which is a new addition to Kenny Rogers' family of meals.

Well, actually, it's a food review my editor wanted me to do. He put in such a way that I had no choice but to go for it. But dear editor, thanks a bunch. I've no complaints!

The BBQ chicken meal comprises of a rotisserie-roasted chicken served with special spicy BBQ sauce and complemented with special aromatic rice, one side dish of choice and Kenny's signature home made muffin.

Now, what is rotisserie? Rotisserie is a style of roasting where meat is skewered on a spit and revolves over a flame or other heat source. The rotation cooks the meat evenly in its own juices and allows easy access for continuous basting if desired.

I must tell you that the rice not only smelled good, but it tasted wonderful, especially when the BQ sauce tickled my taste bud. The combination of the sauce, the chicken meat and the rice is simply superb.

Not only the food was good, the ambience of the restaurant and the service were equally impressive.

And I must also not forget to reinforce my statement that anyone can eat without worrying about gaining weight at Kenny Rogers because it uses only the freshest chickens, which are first marinated in exotic spices.

The chickens are then slowly roasted by turning them over fire so hot that the fat drips away. Even better is, all the roasted flavour is sealed right inside the chicken.