This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Chef Adu, a renowned Malaysian chef, artist, and cultural icon, to the show!

In this episode, Chef Adu takes us on a journey through his rich heritage, vibrant culinary career, and the unique influences of his diverse family background.

We explore his deep passion for Malaysian cuisine, his innovative approach to food fusion, and how cultural identity plays a pivotal role in his creations.

Don’t miss this fascinating conversation with one of Malaysia’s most celebrated culinary figures!

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction: Who is Chef Adu?

04:56 - Malaysian identity abroad

07:15 - Diverse heritage that shaped Chef Adu’s culinary perspective

13:25 - Balancing tradition and innovation in Malaysian cuisine overseas

22:36 - Polite or Pride? How Chef Adu’s multicultural background translates into his cooking style

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Welcome back to The Hungry Immigrant! In this much-anticipated Part 2 of our conversation with Ming Ho, Senior General Manager at Le Cordon Bleu Malaysia, we dive even deeper into her culinary philosophy and cultural insights.

We explores Ming’s bold stance on “Never Fusion” and the profound importance of the dining experience in preserving authenticity. While Ming reflects on her commitment to staying true to her food culture, she also sheds light on how Le Cordon Bleu plays a pivotal role in advocating for Malaysian and Asian cuisine on the world stage.

Tune in for another captivating conversation filled with cultural pride, culinary advocacy, and mouthwatering insights!

Timestamps

0:00 - Previously on Part 1

01:58 - “Never Fusion”: The importance of the dining experience

07:34 - Is there authenticity? Pills as the future of food

11:26 - Staying true to her food culture after exposure to the wonders of the culinary world

15:49 - Le Cordon Bleu’s role in advocating for Malaysian and Asian culinary culture

22:27 - Sambal Survey

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Welcome back to The Hungry Immigrant! Today, we’re thrilled to have Ming Ho, Senior General Manager at Le Cordon Bleu Malaysia, as our special guest.

In this episode, Ming takes us on a flavorful journey through her introduction to Chinese cuisine, sharing the warmth of Cantonese soups from her childhood and the intriguing “superpowers” of Chinese herbs—are you a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ person?

Join us as Ming shares her insights on preserving authenticity while navigating a global culinary world. It’s a conversation filled with wisdom, heritage, and of course, mouthwatering food stories!

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

01:27 - Ming’s introduction to Chinese cuisine

08:36 - The Cantonese soup from home; ‘The Period Soup’

11:42 - The superpower of Chinese herbs: Are you a ‘hot’ person?

14:44 - Postpartum meals: Wong Zhao Kai (Chinese Yellow Wine Chicken)

17:16 - The daily meal stemming from a multicultural marriage: Never Fusion

Don’t miss part two of this conversation next week: “Never Fusion?” Tune in for more fascinating insights from Ming Ho!

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Welcome back to Part 2 of our inspiring conversation with Ping Coombes, the celebrated MasterChef and champion of Malaysian cuisine!

In this episode, we continue our journey with Ping as she dives deeper into her love for Ipoh food and food in general, and its incredible ability to connect people across cultures.

Get ready for an engaging discussion that celebrates the adaptability and authenticity of Malaysian cooking, no matter where in the world it’s being shared!

Timestamps

0:00 - Previously on Part 1

01:54 – Amazing Ipoh food; Food is your superpower

05:34 – Cooking Malaysian dishes in France?

09:41 – Authentic is something real to SOMEBODY; Substituting cooking materials overseas

16:35 – Working with hospitality; Bespoke to local culture and produce

24:05 – Sambal Survey

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Today’s episode is a journey into the vibrant world of Malaysian cuisine with none other than Ping Coombes, winner of MasterChef UK!

Born and raised in Ipoh, Malaysia, Ping grew up immersed in a rich tapestry of culinary influences, with her mother serving as her greatest inspiration. Moving to the UK in 2000 to study at Oxford, Ping began experimenting with Malaysian cooking, which eventually earn her the title of MasterChef UK winner in 2014 and MasterChef Champion of Champions in 2022.

Ping’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable, as she bridges cultures through food while honoring her Malaysian Chinese heritage.

Join us as we explore Ping’s culinary story, her reflections on eating cultures, and her passion for showcasing the beauty of Malaysian dishes!

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro; Journey to meet Ping Coombes

04:41 – Ping Coombes: Winner of MasterChef UK 2014 and MasterChef Champion of Champions 2022; “I can’t live with UK breakfast”

11:51 – Breakfast culture in Malaysia; “If eating is an Olympic sport, Malaysians will always take gold.”

17:17 – The influence of Malaysian Hakka upbringing on Ping’s cooking today

27:39 – Cooking Malaysian dishes in the UK; “We downplay our food so much sometimes.”

32:01 – The beauty of Ipoh food; the call for AOC for Asian food

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On this week of The Hungry Immigrant, we sit down with Chef Marc Buenaventura, the culinary mind behind iSLAS, a Toronto restaurant bringing the heart of Filipino cuisine to the world.

Born and raised in Canada to Filipino parents who migrated in the 1970s, Chef Marc’s story is a tapestry of cultural identity, family traditions, and bold flavors.

We dive into Marc’s cherished food memories — home cooked meals and culinary experiences on the street of Philippines — that shaped his love for cooking and inspired the soulful dishes at iSLAS.

Chef Marc reflects on the challenges and joys of introducing Filipino food to new audiences, balancing authenticity with approachability, and creating a dining experience that feels like home!

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

01:22 - Who is Chef Marc Buenaventura? A career shift into the culinary world

04:25 - First taste of Filipino food: Grandma and mom's unforgettable home-cooked dishes

08:32 - Exploring Filipino street food: Balut, taho, and more

18:22 - How childhood dishes shaped iSLAS’ menu today

22:59 - Serving Filipino food in Toronto: Balancing authenticity and innovation

26:25 - Filipino food memories: Family gatherings, leftovers, and adapting to global markets and trends

35:22 - How Filipino food is perceived in Toronto, Canada

39:10 - Sambal Survey

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Welcome back to part two of our conversation with Anis Nabilah, one of Malaysia’s culinary icons.

In this episode, we continue exploring the fascinating intersection of food, culture, and identity.

We continue the conversation last week by addressing a controversial topic: the criticism Anis has faced for supposedly being “not Malay enough”.

We also dive into her personal stories and perspectives on traditional cuisine versus fusion — and of course, the now-famous “Char Keoy Teow” moment that highlights just how passionate Malaysians are about their cuisine!

Join us for another exciting and insightful conversation with Anis Nabilah, where food is always at the heart of the story.

Timestamps

0:00 - Previously: Part 1

02:10 - “Not Malay enough”; the entertainment industry in Malaysia

07:16 - Anis’ background and her culinary journey

12:50 - Takes on traditional food and fusion

22:20 - The ‘Char Keoy Teow’ story; Malaysians are passionate about food

31:06 - Sambal Survey

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In this episode, we’re thrilled to feature Anis Nabilah — a trailblazing celebrity chef and media personality from Malaysia. Known for her charisma and culinary prowess, Anis holds the distinction of being the first Malaysian chef to grace Food Network Asia and the youngest ever featured on the Asian Food Channel!

With over 15 years of cooking experience and more than 50 TV show appearances across Asia on channels like Star World, Discovery Travel & Living, and Fox Life, she has truly made her mark on the global food stage.

This week, we dive into her journey, starting with the question: what does it mean to be called a “celebrity chef”? Anis shares her insights on handling the public’s attention and how she respond to challenges while representing her culture on a global platform.

Join us for this engaging and heartfelt conversation with Anis Nabilah!

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

01:55 - Anis Nabilah: The ‘celebrity chef’?

12:52 - What truly defines a chef?

16:50 - How to deal with the public’s attention? From TV shows to her online presence

20:00 - People’s opinion on Anis; “she’s not Malay enough”

FOLLOW ANIS

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