Latest Update : Download the latest MAHT Calendar of Events for Avenue K here.
Great Event Links :
- Video of the event, including chef interviews and event launch
- 5 minute interview with Dato' Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen on Malaysian Street Food.
- More Chef writeups in Gastronews!

Meet The Chefs
The MAHT 2009 has been a whirlwind of excitement and to tell you the truth...a dream come true for a Chef groupie like me. To me Chefs are like rock stars, totally cool and fun to watch during cooking demos.

I had the chance to sit down with the three Chefs who were doing their demos throughout the weekend…here’s a little tidbit for you to chew on:

Chef Celine Marbeck
This amazing woman has authored books, appeared on television cook shows, done several cooking exhibitions and demonstrations and cooked up a storm at hotels as a celebrity chef for Cristang cuisine.

What inspired you to be a Chef? It started off with me writing my first book on Eurasian Cuisine. I’m the only one in the world promoting Eurasian Cuisine. It is important to promote this because it is good food that is not well known to the world.

Favourite food: I like anything with rice. I must have rice even when I’m traveling.

Favourite ingredient to work with: I like fragrant Asian ingredients like serai, bunga kantan, and daun kesum.

Advice for aspiring Chefs: You must love food and know your ingredients well.

Chef Florence Tan
When it comes to Nyonya cooking, it is no secret that Florence Tan is one of its greatest ambassadors. It all started when she had the opportunity to appear on Kuali a cooking show on TV3 in 1985 and there was no turning back. This energetic chef has been sharing her passion for Nyonya cuisine throughout the country ever since.

What inspired you to be a Chef? Cooking has always been a passion and doing what you love keeps you young.

Favourite food: I like to eat a very healthy well balanced diet. The meal must have its vegetables, protein and complex carbohydrates.

Favourite ingredient to work with: I cook with a lot of healthy ingredients, definitely a lot of vegetables.

Advice for aspiring Chefs: Follow your dream. Don’t be afraid to work hard and help out as many chefs as you can. You will learn so much from them.

Chef Tatang
This charismatic Indonesian celebrity Chef has had over 22 years of experience in the hospitality industry working with both Asian and Western cuisine. He is famed for his cooking shows that are broadcast throughout Indonesia.

What inspired you to be a Chef? I have been in the kitchen since 7years old. I used to help my parents cook. I think if you love food and you like to cook then you can become a Chef.

Favourite food: Nasi Goreng. I love it when it is dry and not too oily with thinly sliced chilli padi and shedded chicken.

Favourite ingredient to work with: Garlic. It gives food more flavour, think about Chinese food without garlic. Think about any Asian dish without garlic…it is very important in cooking.

Advice for aspiring Chefs: You have to be Berani (Brave)! And you must like experimenting with food.

Updated: 10.32pm 30th October. Chef Tatang from Indonesia kicked off the chef demo right after the launch on Thursday. Takes a man with real chutzpah to warm up the crowd with asam asam pepes ayam, lovely little bundles of fragrant grilled chicken steamed in his special bumbu.