SUSHI WORKSHOP WITH WORLD SUSHI CUP CHAMPIONS

When it comes to world-class sushi topping, fresh Norwegian salmon and raw seafood from Norway are the preferred choice of award-winning sushi chefs Leon Yap Wee Leong and Sky Tai Koon Siang.

 

Having trained at the Global Sushi Academy under sushi master Hirotoshi Ogawa, both Malaysian chefs’ prowess were duly proven when Chef Leon Yap was declared the World Sushi Cup 2019 champion and Chef Sky Tai clinched the World Sushi Cup 2018 title in Tokyo.

Since fresh, raw ingredients require handling in the most hygienic manner, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) hosted a hands-on sushi-making workshop with the two champion sushi chefs to emphasise on safe food handling.

According to Asbjorn Warvik Rortveit (far right), Regional Director, South-east Asia of NSC, “the Norwegian Seafood Council is committed to raising the standards of sushi-making skills among chefs and the handling of raw seafood for consumption through the running of the Global Sushi Academy, in collaboration with World Sushi Skills Institute – the only recognised sushi body in Japan.”

After welcome remarks by Her Excellency Gunn Jorid Roset, Norwegian Ambassador to Malaysia, chefs Leon Yap and Sky Tai showed us simple steps to make maki sushi and hand-rolled sushi.

 

 

 

While the various steps of sushi-making appear simple, nimble fingers and attention to detail are essential. The hands-on session was fun and educational though.

 

 

 

 

 

Later, we enjoyed a sumptuous Champions Lunch curated by both chefs. We also had a chance to admire Chef Leon’s intricate sushi creations which won him first place in the Creative Section during the World Sushi Cup 2019 and second place in the Edomae section.

 

 

Chef Leon Yap is currently the chef at Sushi Hibiki, Kuala Lumpur and holds the Kurobi Sushi Certificate – the Advance Certificate from All Japan Sushi Association.

 

 

 

 

Succulent slices of Norwegian salmon were artistically transformed into tempting creations by Chef Sky Tai for our lunch. As head chef of Standing Sushi Bar in Singapore, the Kluang-born World Sushi Cup champion has spent 14 years perfecting his sushi-making techniques.

For more information on Norwegian Seafood Council, visit www.seafood.no

IMMERSIVE "ONE DAY IN TAIWAN" EXPERIENCE

A fun hands-on afternoon featuring DIY Xiao Long Bao (Taiwanese dumpling) making and oil-paper umbrella painting gave us media folks and some Malaysian artists, YouTubers, and travel trade attendees an immersive “One Day in Taiwan” experience.

Taiwan Visitors Association hosted the workshop together with Taiwan’s related tourism organisations, to promote the island’s diverse tourism attractions including Taiwanese cuisine, popular destinations and diverse culture activities.

Taiwan Visitors Association Kuala Lumpur Office Director, Abe Chou urged Malaysians to visit and discover Taiwan before those present dived into making chocolate-filled Xiao Long Bao.

 

 

 

A master of traditional oiled-paper umbrella painting then guided us on how to paint our own oiled-paper brolly – an interactive way to educate us on the Hakka craftsmanship from Meinong District in southern Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City.

A form of customary wedding gift, the Hakka words of “oiled paper” and “have son” are auspicious homonyms. Also, the Chinese character of “umbrella” also represents a blessing for newlyweds to have children and grandchildren.

 Refreshments include Taiwan’s famed Bubble Tea, baked mini pineapple cakes and taro pastries. Adding to the afternoon’s lively pace are informative and fast-paced online quiz and bingo games incorporating interesting facts and different attractions in Taiwan.

 

I nearly won one of the return KL-Taipei flight tickets but sadly, Lady Luck wasn’t on my side that day. A case of so near yet so far. Still, it was an afternoon well spent and credit must go to the organisers for upping the ante in making it such a memorable event.

 

Packed with a myriad of travel resources, Taiwan is listed eighth in 2019 Top 10 Travel Destinations by Globe Spots. Booking.com also ranked Taiwan as the world’s friendliest country in 2018 while Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) cited Taiwan as the 3^rd most attractive country for international Muslim travellers.