YOUTHFUL TRIUMPHS

Would Malaysia stand tall in the culinary world in future, producing our globally renowned celeb chefs like Joel Robuchon, Wolfgang Puck and Jereme Leung? Nothing is impossible if the crop of youthful talents from local culinary academies and universities continue to hone their skills and master the intricacies of their chosen vocation.

The proof of the pudding is really in the eating. Recently the inaugural Youth Chef Table saw a full scale banquet for 200 guests capably produced by different participating teams in the cutting-edge kitchen of Chef Richmond Lim at the KL Convention Centre.

It was endearing to witness the youngsters who braved stage fright and the spotlight's blinding glare to introduce themselves as well as the dishes.

The first appetiser of seascallop with bell pepper sauce, mesclun with calamansi-gula Melaka vinaigretteand ikura was presented by the KualaLumpur Metropolitan University College complemented by a crisp, light Cono SurTocornal Chardonnay. The delicate dish was an apt primer that whetted our appetite of what was in store for the evening.

BerjayaUniversity College of Hospitality then kept up the momentum with tealeaves smoked lobster tail with lemongrass veloute, another ethereally delightful offering that left us wanting more once we discovered how well it complemented the citrusy fresh Cono SurTocornal Chardonnay.

Not to be outdone, Cilantro Culinary Academy conjured up a rich subtly gamey duckconfit with brown sauce infused with lemongrass to go with the full-bodied red tipple! of Cono SurTocornal Cabernet Sauvignon.

Proceedings warmed up further with the appearance of INTILaureate International Universities' truffle infused cream of cauliflower with mushroomfricassee. The creamy, earthy soup which fooled us into thinking it was a mushroom soup proved to be an apt choice to go with Cono SurTocornal Cabernet Sauvignon.

Then we succumbed to the beguiling taste of KDUUniversity College's tender lambrump with pepper coulis, sunflower seeds, snowpea shoots and cranberries complemented by sips of a garnet-red and mildly spicy Cono SurTocornal Merlot.

Sunway University kept the momentum going with a sumptuous pan-searedcod with persillade, glazed baby carrots, braised yellow zucchini and crustaceansauce - a dish that left me personally hankering for more like little Oliver Twist. Together with the crisp refreshing Cono SurTocornal Sauvignon Blanc, can you really blame me?

To give everyone a breather from the slew of good food and wine (and ciggie smokers a much needed break!) the KualaLumpur Convention Centre team wisely proffered a tart but timely limaupurut sorbet with crystallised jello to cleanse our lucky palate.

Slow-cookedbeef with gremolata crust, truffle polenta, braised asparagus, baby carrots,red pepper reduction and jus by TaylorsUniversity again accompanied by Cono SurTocornal Cabernet Sauvignon.

The last course before dessert was a spicy-tangy Thai-infused crabmeat on angel hairpasta by Legend International College ofHospitality and Tourism matched by Cono Sur Gewurztraminer.

Dessert was served buffet-style at the foyer area. It was an impressive line-up and a sweet concerted effort by all the participating teams that flex their culinary creativity. Carrot mousse on brownie and chocolate truffles filled with coconut jello are two outstanding creations that went pleasantly well with our cuppa, ensuring a lovely conclusion to the evening.

We also discovered a unique but refreshing soursop creme brulee, silky smooth citree poached pear with jelly and some strawberry-inspired treat that tastes similar to tiramisu.

As we went home that night amply satiated, I couldn't help but wonder if the first year culinary students can produce such great food at their maiden attempt, what other marvellous dishes we'd be sampling in the years to come once th! ey have finely honed their skills.


The Chefs Association of Malaysia and like-minded parties like KL Convention Centre (namely the CEO Datuk Peter Brokenshire and Executive Chef Richmond Lim), MLA, etc must be lauded for lending their support and giving the youngsters unstinting exposure on how working in a world-class, award-winning banquet environment feels like.


While it's not exactly Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen, the Youth Chef Table event is no walk in the park either. Kudos to all the brave souls for withstanding the heat and not getting out of the kitchen after this gargantuan effort!

Read more about the event here:

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