Baked brownies in request of my sister, miss Celestine! She’s never a fan for the things I cook or bake… but for the first time ever… She likes the brownies! I’m happy that she finally likes something that I made. She’s so picky!! So hard to please unlike the eldest dumb dumb sister.

Baked them in cups, looks cuter this way!

It’s not perfect, I’m still learning. Life is all about learning, slowly absorbing more knowledge and learn from mistakes. Accepting that things don’t always end up to the way you imagine them to be. We are not living a dream but in fact, reality, and reality is hush…

Hmm! What am I starting to talk about… not making much sense at all, yap!

Baking just makes me think alot. I enjoy every moment of it… mixing the sugar with the eggs, melting the chocolate with butter, mixing in the flour mixture. It somehow just feels so blissful. No matter if it’s a failure, it will still turn out so sweet! I can’t help it but to smile so cheerfully each time.

Sweetness just doesnt really exist in reality. Reality is bitter, sour and not much sweet.

A trip down to Temasek Polytechnic, I thought it was going to be yet another boring thing that my sister had asked me accompany her to. But, in fact it was… a wonderful and exciting experience! ..I got to meet my future boss, Chef Eric Neo! (My dream is to work in the kitchen of Crowne Plaza Hotel!) And also got to meet the future me! HOHOHO *winks* I have a new idol~ <3 Nicole.

So... let's start with a little introduction of the Singapore's National Culinary Team.

Team managed by Eric Neo – Executive Chef of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, followed by team captain Douglas Tay – Sous Chef of Equinox Resaurant and members, Jeffery Siew – Executive Sous Chef of Marina Mandarin, Yew Eng Tong – Sous Chef of The Cannery, Kong Kok Kiang – Senior Sous Chef of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, and Nicole Wong – Pastry Chef of Fairmont Hotel.

They are now prepared for the battle at WA Oceanafest 2009, that will be awaiting for them in Perth on March 22 to 24!

Random: How I wish to have a Dad like Chef Eric Neo or at least a great chef. He could make me yummy lunchboxes everyday. I’ll be a well fed little girl. Ohwait.. I’m still very well fed without a chef dad.. note to self: not this size for nothing! ok.. back to the topic. XD

Oceanafest is hosted once every 2years. Back in 2007, Singapore manage to bring home the trophy, making us all proud. Hopefully they will be able to defend the title once more. Fingers crossed!

They will be preparing a 3-course meal:

Terrine of Fruits De Mer
Compression of Pickled Watermelon
Apple Celery Espuma
+
Hazelnut Xocopili Lamb Rack and Gateau of Braised Lamb Shank
Creamed Salsify, Orange – Sweet Potato Mousseline
Sauce Marjoram
+
Warm Zesty Almond Fondant
Mint Parfait with Raspberry and Frozen Exotic Coulis

They had given us the privilege to have a sneak peak at their fine work, and even a taste of one of the dishes.. which is the first of the 3 dishes listed above. It was delicious, but not something I will crave for. I didn’t like the gelatin and not a fan for celery. But the watermelon tasted so sweet! YUMMY!

The team will have to whipped up and present 88 portions of this delicate 3-course meal within the given time of 4hours. Each of the 88 portions, 1 will be randomly given to the judges, therefore they need to make sure every plate is as perfect as possible. Time is of the essence!

All this excitement almost (just almost!) made me forgot about the commotion at the kitchen below.

Ohh.. but before I get to that part, I just felt like telling a funny thing that happen that day. So… here goes!

Sis and I was mistaken as the polytechnic’s student that’s why the “PR” didn’t bother about us, till the “PR” realise the ‘Gadget3′ tag thingy hanging on dummie sister’s neck (which took almost an hour for them to realise). Actually.. this is not very funny.. and it’s not suprising for anyone to mistake me as a poly student, cause if I didn’t drop out of school it should be the last year of poly for me. So… the jokes on my moo moo sister! at least.. I think she doesn’t really like being think off as a student, so by writing this it will annoy her! KEKEKE. (but seriously.. isn’t it a good thing to be young?)

Let’s continue.

So.. all the hustle and bussle below was.. because of the 8 teams from the Singapore Junior Chef Club, having a cooking competition. Obviously competition means competing for something right? and that something is.. the grand prize, that includes not only a trophy (that indicates the word CHAMPION) but a sponsored trip to Perth with the Singapore National Culinary team and to partake in the Oceanafest 2009!

The second prize was a knife set worth $600 (I WANT I WANT~ T-T) and third prize, some cooking related books worth $400.

Let’s all open our eyes big big! like this.. >> (O_O)

The day has to end, and it ended with a $12,000 cheque presented to the Singapore National Culinary Team by its sponsor, Nestle Professional.

The Junior Chefs had all when home a winner.. I, in the other hand when home with mixed feelings of envy (more like jealousy =x), but inspired! Then again.. I wasn’t allowed to go home yet, had to accompany moo moo sister to the next event which make me “zZzZzzz.”

Note: I’ve blogged this topic @ Gadget3.com! too bad it’s not on the main page yet.

I hate yet I(we) manage to eat 11plates + soft shell crab + some salmon set + desert even? About $80+

messy messy empty plates

This is the time where I say my favorite sentence.. I’m not this size for nothing! ..But this meal was really a waste of my tummy space.

The service in Sakae Sushi is getting from bad to worse. The food standards are disgusting. Their salmon sashimi feels slimey and have a very strong fishy smell. Salmon sashimi is suppose to feel like its melting in your mouth not slimey, but of cause fish is suppose to have fishy smell! But their fish smells like rotten fish.

I don’t understand why people bother queuing for disgusting food? Maybe they haven’t eaten wonderful food before, so Sakae Sushi is considered good to them? or they just eating to fill their tummies? Might aswell go foodcourt or buy sushi from supermarket, taste better.

Then again, I don’t even understand why I was waiting at the queue. I think I wanted to give Sakae Sushi another chance, but it was a complete let down. Ohwait! the real reason was.. Mister Daddy insisted to eat there even though I said its a waste of money, time and stomach space. Ohwell, I didn’t need to pay.

I think I’m mean.. do you think I’m mean? T-T

But I did like the desert! Strawberry vanilla thingy? Not sure what it’s called. At least I liked something!

Was suppose to have dinner at Aston’s, I miss my wagyu beef steak! But the queue was sooo long and my tummy was crying. So…

It’s been awhile since I ate at Billy Bombers, and I realised… the menu kinda changed! The burger that I always had has disappeared from the menu! Yin-yang burger or whatever the name was. I’m a very indecisive person, especially when it comes to food. Therefore I always pick what I’ve eaten before on the menu, or wait for someone to decide for me.

So… Yingy ended up choosing for me.

Beef & Fish for me..

Lamb for her..

Extra chicken wings for us!

Billy Bombers had a Buy 1 get 1 free drink promotion so we decided to be greedy pigs and order Root Beer Float, Vanilla Milkshake & Chocolate Ice Cream for desert! I’m not this size for nothing!

I love eating at Billy Bombers.. it’s always so filling. Jack’s Place and Swensons doesn’t do a good job to fill me up. After a meal at Billy Bombers, always makes me so full I’m unable to move.

I got a question. Why do couples quarrel so much over ridiculous reasons? So pointless. Keke. That was so random.. but it suddenly came across my mind cause Yingy and her boyfriend was quarrelling over the phone throughout the whole dinner. Can you two stop quarreling!!! My brain is hurting..

After dinner, we had a short walk at my favorite place.. the supermarket! I was gonna buy ingredients to cook today.. but didnt know what to cook so ended up not getting any. Instead, Yingy and I decided to buy each other a.. Rose!

Prettiest rose ever. I’m getting good at taking photos eh?! keke. I have very thick skin, I know. XD

All I need in my life is you.. my darling Yingy, my bestfriend forever, my sin (cause you always take me to places to eat wonderful food when I’m suppose to go on a diet)! Even though I only meet you like once a month, and you let your boyfriend steal my time with you. Even though sometimes I almost forget how you look like (joking =x). Even though you’re going Australia for afew years (but I will definately come over to disturb you). You will always be my precious Lim Ying Rui!

The next dinner will be my treat! Let’s make sure we book beforehand this time or we gonna have that jaw drop reaction again cause the queue at Aston’s is so scarily LOOOOONG.

Relfy and I had a hard time choosing between eating at Tajimaya or Shabuya. But the waitress at the entrance made it much easier for us to come to a decision! She said something really cute! (at least I think it was cute) “Do you want healthy food? or Unhealthy but tasty food?”

Tasty food of cause we said! ..Immediately making our way into the restaurant!

I had a pretty girl cook for me ^^ are you ENVIOUS?!

We had a wonderful time eating there. It was fun to grill you’re own food! Well.. it’s actually like having a BBQ.

A little suggestion if you order beef, make sure you dont over cook it! You won’t get to feel the meat melt in your mouth! You’ll be wasting it, if you overcook it!

& Don’t forget that at Tajimaya, you cook your food yourself. Talking too much and forgetting the food that you’re grilling is a bad idea. You won’t want to eat charcoal food!

I always enjoy eating with my Relfy.. sadly, I won’t get to do this anymore.. Relfy is going Australia to study.. I won’t see her for 3 miserable years! Whose gonna enjoy good food with me? While I remind them.. “I’m not this size for nothing.” WHO?! TELL MEEE WHO!

*SOBS*

The dishes we ordered.

It was a delicious meal. The food was fresh! The place was nice! The waiter/waitress were polite! And most importantly, I had my bestfriend with me!

Ohya, the sweet potato is a must have! The second I put it into my mouth, I suddenly had a strange sense of overwhelming happiness.. it tasted so sweeeeet! I’ve eaten sweet potato before, but this was just soooo sweet!

I will certainly have dinner there again.. Infact, I’ll go end of the week with my Mister Boyfriend!

And to end this post.. a ugly picture of me reluctant to get kissed by a pretty girl. haha!

TAJIMAYA YAKINIKU is located @
1 HarbourFront Walk VivoCity #01-102

Can’t miss it! The smell lures you in!

Been doing alot of baking. It’s so fun! absolutely love sweet delights!

Watched other people bake before, always felt it’s very simple.. all you had to do was to mix everything together and throw it into the oven, how hard can that be? But truth is, it’s not as easy as it seems.

What I’ve understand? “You need to learn to walk before you run a marathon.”

Cut to the chase!

Doesn’t look very nice I think? I’m still a newbie!

Honestly felt I could’ve done a better job. Should’ve put some garnish or something! But, Mister Boyfriend said it looks and taste yummy … it was made for him sooo… I’m happy that he liked it!

Love you, my Mister Daddy! xoxo
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Been having dinner at Aston’s every week! They have a few branches I think? I was at the one in Cathay.

Mister Boyfriend feels rich recently I guess? But what’s there to complain about? Beef steak is loves! I can never resist a nice yummy juicy steak. As I always say, BRIBE ME WITH FOOD and I’ll do to your bidding!

I’m a cow lover! MOOOO~

Medium rare, just the way I like it! See the juicy blood? I just want to lick it all up! mmm……… Sorry got carried away, I’m afterall Vampy ya! haha. (more…)

Made dinner for my sister last night! Hope she enjoyed it. I’ve cooked Chicken Chops as requested by her.

Presentation was not too good.. due to the fact that there was no colours in it cause my sis hates veggy! (so do I =x)

Kinda miss those jerks at Shatec. Most of them are Chefs-to-be now, While I’m a.. future-potential-housewife-to-be (at least it’s still something. HA!)

Even though I didn’t complete the diploma at Shatec. I’m still able to put those months of experience acquired to cook for the family! So, it wasn’t a waste!
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OKay.. fine the picture is actually Fettuccine. What can I say? I was hungry. It was late.. er I mean early morning. And thats the only pasta I could find at home. Hungry people are angry people! thats bad bad!

IMO, bolognese sauce works well with spaghetti or conchiglie (the seashell shaped pasta). But still.. any pasta is fine.. it’s just my opinion. o.o”

Bolognese sauce is also used for Lasagne.. my favorite! ha! I’ll make that tomorrow!

So now, I’ll tell you how to make bolognese PASTA. (more…)

Why eat at a expensive restaurant and pay like $20 for a plate of pasta when you can cook yourself a 4 person serving for half the price and it taste as good?

Sure you get pampered by the beautiful surroundings. But isn’t quality family time better? It only takes 15 minutes and you get to see the smiles on your family’s faces. Nothing can be more beautiful than that! (:

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