On the 16th October 2011, youths and short film enthusiasts were treated to 12 short films at the PO11 Shorties. These films that deal with the subject matter of palm oil are in turns innovative, funny and touching.



The screening was the climax of a year-long campaign by the PO11 committee to create awareness about palm oil issues. The project, run by FriedChillies encourages youths to explore palm oil issues and benefits creatively. Part of the reason in running this campaign is to address the half-truths spread on the net on palm oil with real facts.

However, because the common level of understanding on this issue is rudimentary, the campaign uses the medium of film to elucidate and educate the public on palm oil. Students from various colleges were asked to participate in a short film competition. To this effect, grants, film workshops and mentor support were given.

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If there’s one thing comedian Kavin Jay doesn’t joke about it’s his love of food and cooking! I stopped by his home to sample a lovely meal prepared entirely by him consisting of a delicious lamb yoghurt curry, spicy tandoori prawns, and homemade naan. It was a delightful experience with a few laughs peppered throughout.

Kavin is best known in the underground comedy scene and has performed with international acts such as Dave Callan, Pierre Hollins, James Moffet, Chris Wainhouse and countless Malaysian stand up comics. Among some of his goals as a comedian, starting up a comedy club to promote new talent in the industry is something that he is very passionate about. He had gathered a few comedians together to build the Young Comedians of Malaysia (YCOM) open to anyone who wants to join him in his escapades and have a laugh doing what he enjoys most.



Comedy isn’t the only talent this guy is hiding! When he was studying in the UK he learned how…  Continue reading »

Earlier this month, in conjunction with the Georgetown Festival 2011, Queen Street came alive as the venue for the first Nasi Kandar festival ever to be held in Penang. The event, organised by the Penang Muslim League (PML) and supported by Malaysian Muslim Restaurant Owners Association (Presma), was held from 5pm to 11pm on the 6th and 7th July 2011.



15 vendors participated in the event, the vendors are Ramzan, Dawod, Line Clear, Merlin, Kapitan, Khaleel, Subaidah, Pelita, Nasmir, NS Nasi Kandar, Rahim Nasi Dalcha, Tajuddin Hussein, Sultania, Sup Hameed and Kassim Mustafa.

Tables were lined up along the street ready to be filled with Nasi Kandar aficionados. A stage was set at one end of the street with performers singing Tamil, Urdu, Hindi and Malay songs.

A huge archway beckons you closer to the aromas of curry, spices, and steaming hot rice. Smiling faces emerged as grumbling stomachs settled down, satisfied by an array of carbo-laden dishes…  Continue reading »

Only mad dogs and Englishmen would be walking in the scorching hot sun in the middle of Buntong, Perak searching for a taugeh farm. Well one English lass and four mad Malaysians more like it.

Now I've eaten taugeh all my life- can't really avoid it being an Ipoh girl. I love how it's fat and crunchy, just blanched in hot water with soy sauce and sesame oil drizzled on top. It's a small brand of made-in-Ipoh-happiness. Yet I never once wondered where they plant all the sprouts. It can't be undulating green fields like paddy. I figured it be cottage-sized, behind someone's house in large plastic barrels.

Shuckers ready? Suckers puckered? Grab an oyster. Loosen those jaws... GO!

I know, I should have blogged about meeting Martha Stewart sooner but I just felt that I should wait. I know that she was excited to be here in Malaysia so when she tweeted that she was going blog about her travels, maybe it's best to wait until she finished blogging about it first on her blog coz it kinda feels like I am stealing her punchline if I blogged first. At FriedChillies, we are such huge fans of her work and are really very excited that she is here.

Anyway, when the local papers broke news early last month that Martha Stewart will be visiting Malaysia, I got questions from everywhere asking me whether we would be taking her around for a food crawl? My answer was "I dunno" because I haven't got a clue how to meet her. I knew that she was planning a trip to Asia because weeks before that, we got a heads up from some of our friends in the US. And then when several Malaysian government agencies started emailing us with questions on recommended makan places suitable for "a big VIP" coming sometime…  Continue reading »

Chef Nic is a slight man with a calm demeanour, prone to sudden bursts of enthusiasm about his food. His restaurant, Embrasse tucked on Drummond Street is a little like him. An oasis of white tables, intimate and unpretentious. A place where you feel you might get to eat some great food and unwind.