I was privileged to meet my facebook foodie friend Hee Heng, recently, in Melbourne.

We were introduced by my late brother in law Alan Chionh via facebook when Hee Heng started a new venture as restaurateur and head chef of Chuup restaurant, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After an illustrious career, he cashed out of a business he owned and retired.

“Sharing my mom's family cooking was something I always wanted to do and my retirement gave me the time to pursue what I love to do.” he said.

Valentine's Day 2017

So, it's that time of the year for romantics to celebrate St Valentine's Day.

What to give your beloved, where to go for that romantic dinner and how much does a dozen long-stemmed roses cost?

Maybe I'm being unromantically practical, but sometimes a good back rub or foot massage, when your soul is as weary as your tired body, can be more meaningful than flowers and chocolates.

How about loading and unloading the dishwasher for a change or prepare a picnic by the beach or in the park while the babysitter minds the children?

Just a reminder that chef Frank Kun Fu of Bowl Bowl Sichuan in Collingwood will be doing another cooking demonstration at Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Saturday, 28 January from noon.

Roll up for a front seat and watch Frank whip up some culinary magic.

There will be tastings, prizes and more.

Williams-Sonoma is on the lower ground floor near David Jones.

See you there!

Chinese New Year of the Rooster 2017

The Year of the Fire Rooster will start on January 28, 2017 and last until February 15, 2018.

According to the Chinese zodiac, the rooster is the 10th animal in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs.

The Years of the Rooster are 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029...
The Rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality.

For our ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant because it awakened people to get up and start to work.

Cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre.

Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee.

The recent cooking demonstration by talented Vietnamese chef Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee in Port Melbourne was a great success.

Participants watched Ennis create tantalising modern Vietnamese delights and were thrilled to sample his dishes.

If you missed the demonstration, here are his recipes to try at home.

Keep your eye out for more cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre, soon!

Cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre.

Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee.

Looking for some culinary inspirations for your next dinner?

Come to Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Thursday, 12 January at 5pm and watch talented chef Ennis Le from Hanoi Mee in Port Melbourne, while he whips up some exciting modern Vietnamese dishes.

Book a ringside seat at the demonstration kitchen of Williams-Sonoma, which is on the lower level, near David Jones.

Update

Cooking demonstration by Frank Kun Fu of Bowl Bowl Sichuan Street food and dumpling at Williams-Sonoma.

Frank Kun Fu's cooking demonstration at the popular homeware and gourmet food shop Williams-Sonoma at Chadstone shopping centre on Saturday, 7 January 2017, was very well received.

Cooking demonstrations at Williams-Sonoma, Chadstone shopping centre.

Take a break from the summer sales at Chadstone shopping centre and visit Williams-Sonoma for an exciting cooking demonstration on Saturday, 7 January from noon to 2pm.

Chef owner Frank Kun Fu from Bowl Bowl Sichuan Street Food and Dumpling in Collingwood will be cooking up a storm with his signature dishes.

Find out what they are by visiting the demonstration kitchen at Williams-Sonoma, which is on the lower level, near David Jones.

Christmas 2016

Christmas is a time of reflection, especially for my family this year.

In the midst of all the fun and feasting we will remember the ones we lost recently, through illness and old age.

My dearest brother in law Alan finally succumbed to the ravages of his illness after a long battle, courageously fought with every ounce of his strength and willpower, with the wonderful support of his family.

Through it all, he faced it as cheerfully as he could and never asked, "Why me?"

Father's Day 2016

This Sunday, September 4, is Father's Day in Australia.

Before you present Dad with his favourite after-shave, tie or barbecue apron and whisk him off to a celebratory meal, have you wondered about the origins of Father's Day?
Father's Day officially began in 1910 in Spokane, Washington, where 27-year-old Sonora Dodd proposed it as a way to honour the man who raised her when her mother died in childbirth.