SIX ASIAN CHEFS TURN THEIR HONG KONG EXPERIENCES INTO A SUMPTUOUS FEAST IN TLC’S MY TASTE OF HONG KONG

- A new three-part series hosted by Michelle Loo premieres in January - 

Michelle Loo – veteran entertainment writer, avid foodie and true blue Hong Konger – is on a mission to show Asia’s rising chefs the hidden sides of Hong Kong in the brand new three-part TLC series MY TASTE OF HONG KONG. The series is produced in collaboration with Hong Kong Tourism Board and sees host Michelle take six Asian chefs on a discovery of little known places, unusual jobs and amazing cuisine that will inspire new dishes for a feast like never before. MY TASTE OF HONG KONG premieres every Tuesday at 10:00 p.m., starting January 20. Encores every Wednesday at 2:00 p.m., Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

A three-part special, MY TASTE OF HONG KONG pairs up six of Asia’s most exciting, vibrant young chefs as they explore Hong Kong as guests of leading food critic, Michelle Loo. Hailing from Indonesia (Arnold Poernomo and Edwin Lau), Malaysia (Anis Nabilah), Singapore (Brandon Foo and Shen Tan) and Thailand (Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava), the chefs are taken on a whirlwind tour of the different regions of Hong Kong, from the outer islands to the rolling hills of the New Territories. 

In the first episode, Michelle gives chefs Anis and Edwin a history and culture lesson and reveals Hong Kong’s hidden natural treasures. The chefs bring out their competitive spirit in a dragon boat race, get a taste of some spectacular seafood and even discover the city’s best-kept secret – local farms.

Next up, chefs Bo and Brandon embark on an insider’s guide to the real, gritty heart and soul of Hong Kong. From its diverse street foods to brand new dining experiences in a private kitchen, it’s a revelation of what keeps the heart of this bustling city beating. 

Finally, the unveiling of Hong Kong is not complete without Michelle showing off the city’s state of fusion. Shen and Arnold learn that the city’s colourful history has led to an interesting hybrid culture and they experience this first hand when they dine in a toyshop café and sample the local’s favourite pick-me-up, Yuan Yang. 

After their tour, the chefs return to Michelle’s kitchen, and discuss the amazing food they have tried and techniques they have learnt. Once they have picked their favourite Hong Kong flavours, they set off to work creating their own interpretations which they will serve to Michelle and her esteemed guests. Will their dishes capture the essence of Hong Kong and impress the movers and shakers of the local culinary and entertainment scene?

Experience celebrations, unique architecture, historical spots, and natural spaces and see how the city’s glorious food ties into the tightly interwoven fabric of Hong Kong society in MY TASTE OF HONG KONG.

My Taste of Hong Kong

Episode 1

This January, get your palates and appetites ready for a feast as avid foodie Michelle Loo travels to the outskirts of Hong Kong, specifically the New Territories, with two of Asia’s finest chefs, Anis Nabilah from Malaysia and Edwin Lau from Indonesia, to learn more about its most authentic and traditional recipes. Catch “My Taste of Hong Kong” premiering on Tuesdays, from January 20, 10:00 p.m., on TLC.

Chefs Anis Nabilah of Malaysia and Edwin Lau of Indonesia bring out their competitive spirit in a dragon boat race, get a taste of some spectacular seafood and discover the city’s best-kept secret - local farms - as they journey to the outskirts of Hong Kong with Michelle Loo in “My Taste of Hong Kong” premiering on Tuesdays, beginning January 20, 10:00 p.m., on TLC.

“My Taste of Hong Kong” premiering on Tuesdays, beginning January 20, 10:00 p.m., on TLC.

Sugarleaf Makati and Jertie’s Kitchen Tie Up for The Green Guide To Eating Right, A Healthy Food Preparation Workshop Series

Sugarleaf Organic Market and Café Makati recently launched another healthy food preparation series dubbed The Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series running from October to February 2015 to be held at the Makati Café in MEDICard Lifestyle Center. 

In another of its signature fun, learning-filled media events, well attended by friends from the media and blogging community, attendees got a sneak preview of vegan dishes included in the four workshops.

Sugarleafer Angelo Narciso Songco emceed the event while vegan and gluten-sensitive resource speakers Jertie and Jaclyn Abergas shared their story and knowledge in healthy yet affordable and practical healthy cooking.

"We all know that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables, that’s a fact. In this workshop, we’ll teach you five easy-to-prepare plant-based dishes that’ll incorporate more of these nutrient dense food into your existing diet," Songco said.

Jertie and Jac introduced how to cook healthy, vegan and gluten-free lifestyle using plant-based ingredients.

Here's the Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series, as you can enjoy your journey towards health.

Sugarleaf Organic Market and Café Makati launches another healthy food preparation series dubbed The Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series. In tandem with Jertie's Kitchen, Sugarleaf invites all to any or all of our four exciting workshops from October to February 2015:

18 October–Eating A Plant‐Based Diet On A Budget

We all know that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables, that’s a fact. In this workshop, we’ll teach you five easy-to-prepare plant-based dishes that’ll incorporate more of these nutrient dense food into your existing diet. Demo menu includes coconut fried rice, corn and tomato stew, basil pesto, minestrone, chow mein, lettuce wraps, Thai vegetable stew plus bonus recipes!

22 November–Noche Buena Vegan Feast

Eat heartily this Yuletide season without the guilt with these plant‐based versions of your favorite festive dishes! Demo menu inludes ginataang halo-halo, paella, "chick"pea sopas, arroz Valenciana, macaroni/fruit salad, casserole and Christmas dessert!

10 January 2015–Lose Holiday Weight with Green Smoothie*

Had a little or way too much fun during the holidays? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you get back to your old self–or maybe even better! Green smoothies will help you slip back into those skinny jeans without having to jump and down.

7 February 2015–Love, Chocolate

Love is in the air! And chocolate definitely rules this month. Let us teach you new plant-based chocolate dishes to romance your lover (or would-be lover) – mostly sweet with a savoury dish as well.

Sugarleaf and Jertie's promise another info-filled and yummy series complete with handouts, hearty samplings of at least five recipes, bonus recipes and tips.

Jertie Abergas and her sister Jaclyn have always believed great-tasting nutritious food should be accessible to anyone and everyone. And more than that, everyone should be able to make it easily without burning a hole in your pocket. Eating a plant‐based diet should not be any different. Neither should it be complicated, intimidating and boring!

"A lot of people hesitate to commit to a plant‐based diet because they believe it to be difficult and expensive to create. Me and my sister Jaq want to debunk that misconception! It can be expensive, especially if you always go for the high-end option but most of the time it’s as affordable as it can get. In The Green Guide to Eating Right workshop series we’ll show you how affordable plant-based dishes can easily be prepared even by those who’ve never stepped into a kitchen before. And the great thing about this workshop, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment. You just need a toaster, a rice cooker or a pan with a stove.

When my sister Jaq became vegan, she pressured me to create vegan pastries she can eat. I felt inspired and added it to my line-up of home-baked goodies. Then, almost at the same time I found out I was gluten‐intolerant and tweaked my products to include gluten‐free and vegan items.

Since then, me and Jaq have devoted ourselves to sharing their plant-based and gluten-free lifestyle with the people we meet and those interested. We strongly believe people need to start taking charge of their health and not wait until it’s too late.

Aside from creating great‐tasting food, we teach health and cooking workshops and offer health coaching. We know how difficult it is to transition and want to support other people in their own journey towards health," Jertie shares.

“After a long hiatus, we are happy to have partnered with Jertie who shares our commitment in promoting a heathy and sustainable lifestyle. After four separate series over the past three years, we’ll hold another four part food preparation class–not completely raw anymore as healthy can be cooked! With the promise that all ingredients are easy to find and affordable,” Angelo of Sugarleaf shares.

Sugarleaf invites all to any or all of our four exciting workshops from October to February 2015. 

Each class stands on its own and builds up your stock knowledge on healthy vegan food prep.

P1500 per person per workshop. P1300 for early bird, senior citizens, students, pairs and groups. 

Attend three and get the 4th at 50% discount! 

Contact Angelo Narciso Songco on 0917 8039 055 and/or e-mail: ansongco@yahoo.com.

Visit and Like Sugarleaf on Facebook by clicking here.
Visit and Like Jertie's Kitchen on Facebook by clicking here.

Pay P1300 one week before each class at Sugarleaf Makati or deposit to Healthy Eats Inc. checking account number 0012 4002 7660 (Union Bank World Center branch) to avail of early bird rate. Please bring your deposit slip which will be collected upon registration.