Happy Chinese New Year!!!!

Have a good holiday, may the new year brings good health, happiness and abundant blessings!!!

MasterChef Malaysia Audition

I've got a "pass" to move to the next stage in MasterChef Malaysia

Hello blog, it's been a very long time since I last logged in and thank God that I still remember the password.

With the MasterChef Malaysia season 1 being popularly aired on national TV, i thought it would be appropriate for me to have the luxury of reminiscing the MasterChef Malaysia audition that I went through this year and the making of my signature dish--"sexy pants" during the cookoff.

Let me took you a few steps back to how all these came about. I love cooking (like duh?!!!) and when I cook, I usually cook more that what my husband and I could consume, so I always bring the surplus to work and share with my colleagues. Being kind and loving, they always praise and rave about the food I bring to work, which is big boost to my culinary skills. And when it comes to cooking, recipes and food, they will always associate them to me, which is so complimentary!

So one fine day, my colleague, the IT expert, Ramli said he heard the announcement of MasterChef Malaysia audition in JB and he thought of me immediately; at the same moment, the other coordinator, Ms Cruz, said she heard the exact same advertisement and had the exact same thought. Of course, they instantly Googled to get more scoop about the audition and even printed the application form for me.

Other colleagues also "coached" me on my language proficiency, gave me a crush course to salvage my very broken Bahasa Malaysia (the programme is in Bahasa Malaysia), "pushed" me into joining the competition and literally "filled in" the 20-pages (I think) application form for MasterChef Malaysia. At that time, I was still debating whether or not I should go for it. So I posted this dilemma on the FB, with 50+likes and many comments, my confidence was boosted and I went for it.

The next task is to decide on a signature dish that I think that represents who I am and that I have mastered the most. I prefer baking to cooking and Adrian always raves about the frangipane (Dannish ground almond cake that I add in mixed dried fruit), he's been calling them "sexy pants".

On the day of the audition, I brought the signature dish of "sexy pants" to Hotel Selesa JB, where the audition was held. Arriving in the evening, I was probably the last person for the audition but I got an auspicious no. of 3030.

Check out No. 3030 candidate for MasterChef Malaysia!!!

Given only 5 minutes to plate my dish before meeting the judges, I carefully place one piece of the "sexy pants" on the plate I brought from home, dusted with icing sugar and topped it whimsically with a maraschino cherry.

There were two rounds of audition, first is the tasting by panel of chef judges--Chef Zubir, Chef Johari (aka Papa Joe) and a lady judge (forgot her name) and the second is a panel of Astro production team judges--Executive Producer, Copywriter and Director (Jason and others).

I made a few blunder during the audition, the most prominent being pencuci mulut (dessert). Out of the anxiety of speaking in Bahasa, I kept saying pencuci muka (facial cleanser) during the audition and I could almost see the judges cracked up in laughter. They must have been really amused by my responses that they gave me a "pass" to progress to the cookout .

During the cookout on the next day, the candidates who made it to the cookout had to prepare and cook the signature in 60 minutes, so I had to strategize the cooking accordingly. Instead of making the whole cake which takes 30 - 40 minutes of baking, I made the "sexy pants" in cupcake sizes to cut down the cooking time and boy, it made my life easier which I had additional time making a cranberry compote and freshly whipped cream to compliment it.

While waiting for my turn to prepare the signature dish on the day of cookout.

After 60 minutes of cookout, all candidates had to stop cooking. My best friend probably wouldn't believe it (because I am usually slow in the kitchen) but I made 10 cupcakes with compote and cream in 50 minutes, which made me the second candidate serving my dish to the judges.

Whipping up fresh cream using a hand-held electric whisk my hubby gave me as birthday gift this year (photo extracted from MasterChef Malaysia official website).

When I wheeled "sexy pants" in a trolley to the judging room, I had to plate my dish in front of them while answering some grueling questions (actually more like amusing them with my Bahasa). But they must have loved my food or Bahasa proficiency (or lack thereof) that I have been selected to the top 40!!!!!

In any decision making, one gains some and looses some. Much to my friends' disappointment, I didn't sign the agreement letter to compete in the Top 40 for a few reasons, but I keep telling everyone that talented people will shine in anywhere they are, right?

My signature dish--"sexy pants" (frangipane) 3-way (prune, mixed fruit and chocolate chip) with cranberry compote and fresh cream (photo extracted from MasterChef Malaysia official website).

I HEART British Fashion

The royal wedding of the century between Prince William and Ms Kate is around the corner, and the entire world is waiting anxiously to witness the avant-garde matrimony of this lovely and sweet couple walking down the aisle together, after dating for seven years (coincidentally, it's exactly how long my husband and I had dated before we tied the knot, LOL).

I am always mesmerized and inspired by the elegant sense of fashion that the future princess of England--Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, popularly known as Kate, possesses. Everything about her exudes royal elegance and she carries herself so effortlessly.

Despite the fact that luxurious brand couturiers constantly send Kate their runway pieces and would be honoured to have their masterpieces dressed by Kate and photographed by paparazzi's around the world. Deep down, Kate is a true British fashion lover/supporter.

Ahem... so I did a bit of research and guess what Kate wore on her 21st birthday??? Topshop!!!! It's like "HELLO William, you should put a ring on this gal, STAT!!!!". There is so much to say about this future princess who has the world of designer clothings to choose from, but had chosen to dress herself in local fashion mass-market label.



Her support for British fashion world has melted and won the hearts of many. In my humble opinion, Kate is one of those people who can look great in any thing. She can probably dress in a sack and make the outfit her own Kate-esque style. Did I mention that that dress that she wore was sold out in Topshops worldwide within split seconds?


As a novice fashion lover, I ooh and ahh each time I admire at the photographs of the royal engagement. While the world focused on the vintage engagement ring (which Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana) that deserves a parade, I fell and am still falling in love the that gorgeous Issa blue chiffon satin dress that Kate wore and millions of ladies out there were just excited as I was, when the engagement photos were released.


Designed a London-based (of course!) designer Daniella Helayel, the dress has captured the attention of every princess-wanna-be (like myself) was then carbon-copied by high- and mass-fashion designers all over.

If you love British fashion as much as I do, there are a few Brit fashion "it" ladies who can be your inspiration. Other than Kate, my top three favorites include:

1. Alexa Chung

2. Kate Moss

3. Sienna Miller

Can you spot what do these bombshells have in common (besides nationality) in these photos???? Mulberry handbags!!!!!

Pssst... just between you and me, ok? If you want to own this fabulous must-have British designer handbag without burning a hole in your purse, you can sign up at www.nuyou.com.my to stand a chance to win a Mulberry Bayswater in Oak. Nu You (girlfriend in English) magazine is generously giving away this fabulous leather handbag, in timeless classic colour of oak, to reward their readers and commemorate their 18th anniversary.

Dear Nu You, can I please please please please be the lucky reader???? I will be sure to be your BFF!!!!




Imagine yourself cladding this iconic arm candy and dress to the nines as a princess (like Kate) and it wouldn't hurt to throw in a complete package of eye-candy husband like William either, ha!

Good Friday

While many people are on public holiday because of Good Friday/Easter weekend. I am working my rear end off to run and complete the clinical exams for 96 students.

By 6:00 pm, I was already exhausted and I didn't want to continue straining my eyes further tabulating the final marks. Instead, I want to welcome the beginning of Sabbath by remembering how our Saviour sacrificed Himself to save all mankind on this very sacred day, thousands of years ago.

I don't celebrate Easter, but for those who celebrate it, have a good Easter weekend and Shabbat shalom!

Food Print

Dear readers and lurkers of my blog. It has been eon years since I last left my thoughts on this blog. Thank you for your tireless support and I hope you continue to support this blog and many other related links because I am working on a small project that I am very excited about and I just can't wait to get back to blogging.

The project is food-tography. As you know, I am an avid foodie who loves cooking, eating and capturing the best moment of my and other chefs' culinary repertoires. Recently, I have received a long-waited birthday gift, a DSLR and I have been exploring the various aspects of taking scrumptious food photos through the camera.

So, please stay tuned and look up for my little project entitled "Food Print" on Facebook and this blog, I promise I will give my very best to produce photos that will whet your appetite. Until then, bon appetit!

Photo Journal Winner

I know I know, it has been ages since I last jotted down something in this blog. This should have been posted a while ago but it's better be late than never, no?

Anyhow, ladies and gentlemen, it's my pure pleasure to announce the winner of A-Level Photo Journal 2010 Contest (drum rolls please)... it's none other than our Foa Chee Yi. Round of applause for Chee Yi!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a winner, Chee Yi gets RM 80 worth of MPH voucher and the voucher is still with me, I shall pass it to him when I drop by Sunway College JB (before it expires).

Anyway, congratulations Chee Yi! Job well-done! Hope to see you at the college or else where soon :D

Chee Yi's Photo Journal "My Best Math Companion"

Holiday Much Needed

Unlike most of my academic colleagues who have been nicely enjoying their mid-year holidays, I've just leaped over to the administrative side of the education institute, hence I have no break at all this June, which is unusual and it s****!

Gosh... I feel like I have yet had a break for the first half of year 2010. It would have been nice to have a weekend escapade from work and city and just have some me-time of doing nothing. Perhaps I should have checked in to a nice hotel in Singapore and have bed and breakfast.

Oooooo... speaking of bed and breakfast, pancake with strawberry and fresh whipped cream will be DIVINE!!!

Dream on.