Shem MD is a young doctor who really has a passion for travel and food. He started his hobby of writing about travel and food when he graduated from medical school and became the founder of Travelfore.com. Through a blog created by him, he aspires to gather stories from people all over the world about their experiences in travel and food.
He also was a true lover of the art of magic, musical instruments, and mind-blowing movies. And most importantly he is a big fan of Liverpool Football Club. The words often out of him were "Nomad is my middle name !"
Shem MD also get Internet Marketing Fundamentals Practitioner Certification, Social Media Practitioner Certification, Content Marketing Practitioner Certification, Display Advertising Practitioner Certification from Marketmotive.com and a member of OMCP Organization.
Shem MD also get Hootsuite Certified Professional and a Hootsuite Media Inc. Community Ambassador for Asia Pacific (ID) (Volunteer)
Passionate in Digital Marketing, Internet Marketing, and Social Media.
Specialties: Entrepreneurship, Business Building, Creative Strategy, Social Media Strategist, Travel and Food Blogging, General Medical Practitioner, Skin Care Business, Magic Props, and Concept Consultant.
Ask every Javanese in Indonesia you meet. Most of them must be very familiar with “Pecel”. Yes, this is a quite popular traditional salad, especially in Java. I myself like Pecel most!
Pecel Pincuk Winongo Panderman at Sulfat Branch
Unlike various fresh fruits and vegetables with mayonnaise sauce, this one consists of mixed boiled vegetables dressed with peanut sauce. Can you just imagine how it tastes? But the sweet peanut sauce can be spicy too, depending on your request in case you want some chilies added on your Pecel dressing. And just like other Indonesian dishes, this one is also served with rice.
No, you don’t need to take the rice yourself from the bowl. Pecel comes with steamed rice or compressed rice cake called Lontong or Ketupat. There are also some additions like tempeh, tofu, perkedel, potatoes, bakwanjagungandrempeyek or kerupuk. Is those stuff sound unfamiliar for you non Indonesian people? Don’t worry, be happy. All you need to do is just finish your Pecel. And if you usually take a light meal for your breakfast, a portion of Pecel is possibly enough. But, the taste of peanut sauce may call you back another day.
Well, that was a brief introduction about Pecel. What I am going to tell you is my favorite breakfast meal when I was in Malang, East Java, Indonesia. It is one of the places where Pecel actually origins from. And just like everyone, I joined others to taste the legendary Pecel Winongo at Jalan Panderman, Malang, Indonesia.
Guess what? This street food stall is always crowded. As I remember there was no chair or table provided so customers could enjoy their breakfast on the spot. Instead, everyone bought the Pecel on the go. People even seemed not to mind to wait in line at holidays for this tasty breakfast.
Pecel Pincuk Winongo Panderman at Sulfat Branch
I actually like to avoid the crowd, but Pecel Winongo seemed to be my dirty exception. Unlike other foods served on a plate completed with a fork and spoon, this one was packed with banana leaves, called pincuk. I do not know what others think but I could still feel the fresh aroma of the leaves, adding more taste to the dish.
It was totally not an extravagance. The content itself was also humble with some standard vegetables for Pecel like bean sprouts, long beans and spinach. The rice and vegetables were poured with the delicious peanut sauce. The spices had a sweet taste with the soft nut texture. But actually, the seller also offers another taste of peanut sauce, the spicy one. Both taste great. They even provide compressed Pecel Winongo peanut sauce, so customers can make their own Pecel at home with any vegetable addition they like and melt the sauce with some water.
Some other additional complementariness’ are also available. Take for example tempeh and crispy rempeyek. There are also friend eggs, meat satay, empal and so on. No wonder, a packed of Pecel Winongo could keep my stomach full until the afternoon meal.
You know what? I have just got new information that Pecel Winongo opens a new branch at Jalan Sulfat, Malang, Indonesia. It means the stall is quite close to where I live. So, are you going to wait for my next review or try this traditional Javanese cuisine yourself?
Pecel Pincuk Winongo Panderman at Sulfat Branch
Location:
Pecel Winongo Sulfat
Address: Komp. Ruko Taman Sulfat, Jl. Sulfat No.7, Purwantoro, Blimbing, Kota Malang, Jawa Timur 65126, Indonesia
Tokyo, an exotic oriental oasis known for its modern skyline, ancient (literally) history and vibrant culture. When planning a trip to such a locale, it’s overwhelming to decide what to take in during your stay. It has enough restaurants, stores and attractions to keep you busy for weeks, but which should you take in?
Look no further than this list of a few of Tokyo’s must-see amenities.
Food
When you think of Japanese food, you might assume it’s all variations on sushi and nothing more. You couldn’t be more wrong. Tokyo’s cuisine is unlike any other. In addition to having an acute attention to detail, the amount of options when it comes to food is nothing short of overwhelming. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to spend $10 or $100. Some of the best places are found in the large food courts found beneath shopping centers. These expansive dining rooms have seemingly endless options.
If you’re looking for something a little nicer, check out the restaurant that was made famous in the movie Kill Bill, Gonpachi Nishiazabu. In the movie, Uma Thurmond’s character killed several underground criminals in this restaurant. Unfortunately, Gonpachi Nishiazabu wasn’t actually in the movie, but after director Quentin Tarantino visited the restaurant, he made an exact replica of its dining room to film the scene in Hollywood.
Pop culture aside, the food at Gonpachi Nishiazabu is really quite good. It has many options for more adventurous eaters and the portions are surprisingly shareable.
Public Transit
Did you know that Tokyo has the world’s busiest subway system? Every day, more than six million people use this public transit system. The sheer volume of riders is intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing this innovative mode of transportation. Although very busy, the subway system is sprawling. It’s 14 lines cover 882 stations, all of which run quickly and with little error. Stations can be chaotic, but the trains are known for being clean, comfortable and, most importantly, timely.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, take the bullet (“shinkansen”) train to Kyoto for some fresh air. On your way, enjoy the stunning views of Mount Fuji. Please note that train etiquette is very important. Line up in an orderly fashion with the other riders and do not use your time on the train to talk on the phone, eat or hold loud conversations. When in doubt, do as the Japanese do.
Nightlife
This might surprise you, but the after-hours scene is Tokyo is nuts. There is so much to do and only so many hours of the night! Karaoke bars are one of the most popular places to visit, but there are dance clubs and cocktail bars, and a surprising amount of strip clubs.
If nightlife is your thing, check out the Roppongi district. Here, you will find the who’s who of models, foreigners, celebrities and young locals. They gather in Roppongi to drink, dance and date. It’s a busy place, but if you don’t mind the crowds and are willing to pay cover charges, then it’s worth a visit.
Consider a Tokyo hotel in Roppongi to make your walk home after a night of partying a little easier.
Fireworks
Really, fireworks? Yes, really. Granted, fireworks are detonated in nearly every other part of the world, but not like in Tokyo. You may not realize this, but fireworks are a major part of Japanese culture. They have been using fireworks to celebrate for centuries and, as a result, have hundreds of incredible firework shows throughout the year. These shows typically take place in summer, but that doesn’t keep them from creating elaborate displays to celebrate the new year and cherry blossoms.
Kabuki Theater
Going to a Kabuki show is a true Japanese experience. These plays, which began in the 1600’s, are typically dramas performed by all men. They paint their faces bright white and apply colorful makeup. In some cases, they wear detailed masks.
During the play, the actors use dance, mime and music to tell their stories. This style of expression is truly unique to Japanese culture and was recently added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Cherry Blossoms (Sakura)
Every spring, millions of cherry blossoms bloom on thousands of trees that line Tokyo’s rivers, streets and parks. The unspeakable beauty of the cherry blossoms is fleeting—they’re usually in bloom the last week of March and the first week of April. If you want to see them, plan your trip well in advance.
Tokyo is a magical, surprising place. It is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world, yet it’s modern amenities and entertainment are entrapping. This city has so much to offer, far beyond what was covered on this list, and is a must-visit for any curious traveler.
Foodlovers, have you ever visited Ubud Bali, Indonesia? Not yet? Wow, where have you been? Just kidding! Bali is well known as the beautiful place and island. You can visit Bali anytime and you will never feel bored. Some people comments about Bali: where every day is a holiday. You can find anything from the top to toe. Bali is a lovable island that still keeps their tradition well and they want to show to the tourism that Bali is unique and culture very well. That is the reason why people in Bali always wear their traditional clothes and they still follow their religion and trust in their daily life activities. Once you visit Bali and you will never want to go away from this place. Besides the beautiful scenery, you can also find so many delicious foods.
What kind of food can you find there? Too many. “Ayam Betutu”, “Lawar Kuwir”, “Serombotan”, “Nasi Jinggo”, “Nasi Tepeng”, “Sate Lilit”, you name it. If you love to eat traditional food in Bali then you can visit Ubud. Ubud is well known as the tourism village that will show you the green and fresh air. You can find many traditional villas with nature atmosphere, no one that can stay away from this homey place. In Ubud Bali, you can also taste the delicious food such as duck and prawn. They have a good place named “Desa Wisata Bebek Mebaris” (nickname: “Dewi Bebaris”). You should visit that village and feel the taste of the best duck and the great prawn that ever been! Dewi Bebaris is the culinary spot in Ubud that really famous. Many tourists from around the world and place in Indonesia that come to Bali also visit that village just to eat.
What would you find over there? In Dewi Bebaris, you will find “Bale Udang”, “Bebek Raja” and other restaurants inside that you should not be missed. Besides that, you can also find the outdoor activities that you can enjoy together with your family or partners. If you want to update your Instagram by taking some pictures or just get your relax time, then you should go there. Too many instragramable spots that you should try. Including the duck show. You may not find the other duck show on other places in Bali or even at your hometown.
Missing the traditional feeling that full of rice field? Why don’t visit this tourism village? You can even try to feed the duck and have good interaction with them. The staff also gives the guests who come here with good hospitality as their service. If you come to Bale Udang you can try to eat Fried Flying Gourami Fish, Honey Grilled Prawn, and Fried Roll Fermented Cassava. All of those three foods are special. They give their special recipe so that the ingredients can absorb well to the inside. When you visit the Bebek Raja restaurant then you can eat Fried Crispy Duck and “Bebek Lalah Ubud“. Special menu from this restaurant is all about duck. They can cook the duck with good style and make the taste become so unique, delicious and melted on your mouth. All of the meals that they have are delicious. One is never enough to satisfy your hunger.
Fried Flying Gourami Fish
Honey Grilled Prawn
Full of meals? Then try to play some games for your refreshing childhood moment. Desa Wisata Bebek Mebaris also has traditional games originally from Indonesia. The place is located at “Kebun Pisang”. You can just ask their staff when you want to play it. They have “Enggrang”, “Bakiak” and others traditional games. You can try to play them outdoor and on the playground of Kebun Pisang.
Fried Roll Fermented Cassava
For their opening hours, you can come from 11 AM to 11 PM every day. For the big spaces then you can order first to their service so that they can prepare for the spot special for you. On Sunday they also have fun day theme. Enjoy the outdoor picnic on Kebun Pisang in between eating your meal or chit-chat with your beloved one. Don’t miss to try special package, Bebek Raja, that consist of three different menus such as Fried Duck package, Lalah Duck package and also Timbungan Duck package. Just grab every single promo that they have. If you love to stay out the door; then they also give live music performance. Enjoy the sounds of the fresh air on the green grass there.
Fried Crispy Duck
Bebek Lalah Ubud
Today, finding the green and natural place like on homey village become a rare thing but you can find all here. You don’t need to walk away to enjoy all the things you need. You can stay in the good village with choose of type. You can play on the playground with the fresh water. You can walk on the rice field and get the fresh air every single day. Your holiday will never enough at Ubud Bali. And of course, don’t forget to try their best snack for your tea time. Each of them is delicious and made with love. When you come here, do not just let anything disturb you. If you always feel busy with your job and do not have free time then you should come here for your relaxing moment. You can get back your energy. Remember that the holiday is not only about the mall and shopping only. You need to give good energy to your soul.
Desa Wisata Bebek Mebaris is such a great choice to enjoy Bali. After eating the choice of food there then you can travel around Ubud. Just make sure you bring your sweater because the weather is cold enough. You can enjoy driving the traditional boat and enjoying the natural river there. No one that can change the sophistication feeling with the money while staying there. Bali is everything that you need to visit. The best time to visit this place is in your free time. You may feel crowded at weekend but when you book first then there will always available free space for you to sit. Play the water and enjoy the relaxing moment with your beloved one will be so precious.
Location:
Desa Wisata Bebek Mebaris (Dewi Bebaris)
Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Peliatan, Ubud, Peliatan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582, Indonesia
Burj Khalifa, also known as the tallest building in the world, offers magnificent views and an almost endless array of activities to partake in. Being 2,722 feet tall, the tower is a must-see for those who are planning to stop in Dubai during their travels. Here are some of its highlights:
The observation deck
Whether you prefer to stand indoors and observe the scenery through transparent glass or marvel at it from an open-air terrace, the deserts and the oceans below will reside in your memory for all eternity. Should a particular long-distance object pique your interest, you can take a closer look at it through one of the telescopes available (yes, Burj Khalifa a well-equipped observatory). The scenery is quite a sight to behold when the night settles in.
The history of Dubai
Visit floor 124 and watch a multimedia presentation of Dubai’s history and the unique circumstances of its creation. While you’re there, why not pick up a souvenir to remind you of your travels?
The Burj Khalifa park
Blooming gardens, water fountains, and palm-lined walkways is what you’re going to encounter by setting foot on the grounds of the Burj Khalifa park. One of its most amazing features is the fact that the water fountains placed therein are watered by the condensation from the tower’s cooling system. At any time you’d like to engage in a more physically-draining activity instead of taking a peaceful walk in the park, be sure not to miss one of the two tennis courts located there.
The Dubai Mall
Belonging to the Burj Khalifa complex, it houses more 1200 shops for you to explore, including the Galeries Lafayette department store, Fashion Island, an organic food marketplace, jewellery retailers, and many more. Can you manage to visit them all within a single day? If not, don’t stress it; many 5-star hotels like the Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel are not too far from there, so you can treat yourself to a good night’s sleep at any time you feel like your feet won’t carry you any longer. But no matter what you do, be sure not to miss out on the Dubai Aquarium located in the very center of the mall, showcasing the world’s finest underwater animal species.
The Dubai Ice Rink
This portion of the Dubai Mall deserves its own section due to how extensive it is. In fact, it can take in more than 2,000 people at the same time. All you need to do is borrow a pair of ice skates, and you’re ready to join in on the action. Depending on your preferences, you can partake in educational, public, and disco sessions. Everyone is welcome to give it a shot, the young and the elderly included. After an action-packed round of ice skating, feel free to take a well-deserved break at one of the cafes nearby.
Conclusion
Burj Khalifa offers so many things to do it’s hard to decide what to focus on. But if you can stomach great heights and aren’t afraid to try something new, it can be an amazing destination for you and your family. Are you brave enough to stand atop the world’s tallest building and view the world from a completely different angle?
Are you looking for a great place designed uniquely for surfer? Bliss Surfer Hotel, Legian, Bali by Avilla Group is a great choice for you. It is an ideal place to stay with family and friends. Bali is not simply about beautiful destinations and great cultural attractions, but also about hospitalities and extraordinary staying experience. Bliss Surfer Hotel is an ideal place, where you can prepare your mind, energy, and everything you need for unforgettable surfing experience.
Why Staying In Bliss Surfer Hotel Bali?
My experience staying at Bliss Surfer Hotel may inspire you if you are setting a plan to spend a nice weekend in Bali Island. My first staying experience encourages me to plan another vacation. I have many things to tell you.
A Surfing Theme hotel
Few hotels are designed specially for a certain hobby. Bliss Surfer Hotel, Legian, Bali, is one of them. It offers the excitement of beach vacation even before you get to the beach. The hotel is designed in surfing theme. As you enter the hotel environment, you will be amazed by the surfing-themed views. The transparent windows at the second level are furnished with hanging surfing boards, while the hotel entrance is designed in wave theme.
Getting into the hotel, you will feel like the surfing experience is real. The hotel interior is furnished with surfing-themed decors, such as a line of surfing board. The guest room is designed with colorful and bright interiors. You can see nice photographs of surfers that ride the waves. The interior designs will surely make you impatient to enjoy the real surfing experience.
Complete Facilities
I visited Legian, Bali, with my friends. We stayed in a guest room, which feels so airy in cozy and modern designs. There is a room for everyone. It provided us with a stronger family bonding as we can enjoy the time in a casual gateway. However, if you plan to visit with family or with spouse, there will certainly be rooms for you too. There are 111 rooms and suites to choose.
We felt so excited staying in the hotel. Complete facilities are available, such as air conditioning, cable television channels, iPod dock, coffee and tea maker, as well 24-hour room service. One of my mate loves cold drinks, and he was happy, as a mini-refrigerator is available in the room. I particularly love the view from the private terrace. It is a great place, where I could enjoy a cup of hot tea take nice pictures of Legian.
Great Dishes
Another thing that I love from Bliss Surfer Hotel is the foods. We love delicious foods at Bombora restaurant, which serves various kinds of foods, including seafood. I do not really like beer, but if you do, you can warm up your day with some cold beers. I prefer Indonesian dishes, which were processed from the freshest seafood. For those who love international dishes, many choices are available. I myself particularly loves the multi-tiered sandwiches.
Close Proximity to the Beach
Bliss Surfer Hotel is strategically located in Legian, Bali. From Ngurah Rai International Airport, it took us only 15 minutes to get to the hotel. We needed another 15 minutes to get to Kuta Beach. Legian is not as crowded as Kuta Beach is, but not as quiet as Seminyak is. Surfers generally choose Legian since its location is in close proximity to the beach. So we did. From the hotel, we walked along a paved pedestrian path, where bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are in line.
The most popular spot along Legian beach is located on Jalan Padma. It is a popular spot for playing in the sand and getting some cold beers. Yes, some vendors sell beers under umbrellas, so you can easily get it. I recommend a hair braiding service offered by a local lady, if you come with your wife. I rented a surfboard from the nearest rental service. Yes, you can easily get surfboards or boogie boards for rent here.
Easy Access to Other Destinations
Surfing was our main targets when visiting Bali. However, visiting Bali is not complete if you only enjoy a single attraction. We proved that. I wanted to visit the popular Kuta Beach, as was a novice surfer. Kuta Beach is more friendly with newbie surfer. We were fortunate as we stayed in the right hotel. Kuta Beach is only 3 kilometers away from Bliss Surfer Hotel. After only 15-minute ride, we got to Kuta Beach and enjoy another day surfing there.
Besides Kuta Beach, Bliss Surfer Hotel is also in close proximity to other popular destinations in Bali. They include Balangan Beach and Echo Beach, which are around 12 and 13 kilometers, respectively, away from Legian. As we still had enough time, I with one of my friends went to Tanjung Benoa Water Sport that is located only 7 kilometers from Legian. There, we had a 15-minute session of jet ski. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time to visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana that is only 5 kilometers from the hotel. I plan to set a visit to GWK for my next trip.
International Hospitality
Bliss Surfer Hotel offers high-grade hospitality, which every visitor wants. I think that staff was awesome, as they are very friendly. We felt comfortable since the hotel environment is family friendly. We enjoyed amazing food and services.
Bliss Surfer Hotel offers extra services on demand. I did not use such services since I had only a short weekend. You can have special events here, such as surprise event, meeting and gathering, hot dog party, romantic dinner, ngelawar, or even bike rentals for those who want to explore the exotic Balinese villages.
You will surely not feel regretful by staying at Bliss Surfer Hotel. You will find an amazingly comfortable environment, where the surfing experience feels so real. Everything is designed to provide you with the feeling as if you are exploring another side of the surfing wave. I hope that I will have a long weekend in the coming months, and I will set another stay at Bliss Surfer Hotel, Legian, Bali.
Have you ever faced the trauma of losing your prized possession while travelling? I bet you may have at some point of your time or the other. The same happened with me a few weeks ago as I was travelling to Jakarta, Indonesia from Hong Kong. I was flying to Jakarta via Garuda Indonesia for a business trip with a couple of colleagues and had a stopover at Singapore Changi Airport for about 2 hours where I misplaced my laptop while at munching at the lounge. Till the time I realized that my laptop was not with me, it was a bit late as I had already boarded the flight to Jakarta.
But one of my colleagues told me about the amazing lost and found service AirportLostAndFound.Com that he had also used before to claim some of his lost items. I immediately filed a lost property claim as soon as we reached Jakarta. The site has an easy to fill an online form and the company claims to find lost properties of its customers from all across the globe.
The best part about this service is that their database system has more than 10,000 major airlines and airports added with them that makes the search an easy and fast process. Also, the chances of getting your lost property back increases with such a useful service.
The company and its representatives are totally dedicated towards reuniting the lost property with its owner and making it a hassle free process for the latter. As I filed the request, I immediately got a reply from the company asking for a few more details and they issued me a unique ID for further reference. They also asked me to send a few pictures and other specifications of my laptop so that they can track the item soon. I would say within 11-12 days, I tracked my laptop with their fast services.
The representatives at AirportLostAndFound.Com know very well the anxiety and stress associated with losing one’s property. And keeping this in mind, they work closely with a huge amount of airports and airlines all across the world to reunite you with your lost possession. Their system links a huge network of places where items may be stolen/misplaced or lost. The process is simple- the traveller needs to fill up a form online and search for the possible matches. The best part about this service is that they not only search with the airlines and airports but even with businesses within the airports.
I would thank AirportLostAndFound.Com for all the support they provided, for finding my product and helping me claim it without any fuss. I would surely recommend this service to anyone who loses his or her property while travelling.
AirportLostAndFound.com is the one-stop database for all your lost and found properties. So what are you waiting for? Rather than lamenting over your lost or stolen items, just search with them and you will definitely get a positive response in no time.
Sarah Benjamin is one of the two winners of the first season of Food Hero. Her obsession with food was also supported by her family since young age. She began to develop her passion in cooking Asian specific foods and started her own cooking blog and shared great cooking experience and food styling. Her spirit and unique character comes to culinary and traveling passion.
Here, Sarah shares her passion for food, food blog, discusses Must Try:Asia, and offers advice on how to create a new recipe. Read on:
Would you please tell us why you’re interested in Asian food?
“Growing up in Singapore, I was exposed to such a diverse range of flavors, especially Asian flavors of all kinds. I really love how Asian food has such great balance of flavors and cooking styles – for example, a bowl of soupy noodles with something crispy and fried on the side. Or a bowl of plain steamed rice topped with punchy, spicy curry.”
You’re a great food stylist! Could you share how you developed this skill?
“Thank you so much! To be very honest, when I first started my food blog, www.kitchenhoarder.com, my photos were really nothing to look at. However, I’m a perfectionist, so I worked very hard at it, really studying other food stylists and photographers’ work and practicing. I think the most important thing is identifying your personal style and sticking with it.”
You studied social and political sciences in university, do you have any plans in furthering your career related to these fields of study?
“I absolutely loved studying sociology and politics, and it really taught me about the world around us. I currently get to utilize those parts of my education in my consulting work, but I really hope to blend my love for food and love for society and culture together in the future, as I think it’s really important to understand the people who cook food before you can truly understand the food itself.”
What is your favourite Asian food?
“This is such a difficult question because I love so many foods! But my real comfort food has got to be Hainanese chicken rice. I love how such an unassuming looking dish can be so full of flavour.”
Do you think there is any correlation between food and culture?
“I think there’s a really important relationship between food and culture. Food only comes out of the society it exists in, so I really think you need to understand a culture before you can understand its food. Conversely, food can tell us a lot about a culture as well. For example, Japanese food is so meticulously made, and such attention is paid to its presentation and the processes of cooking. This immediately tells us about how people in Japan like to live their lives. That’s one of the biggest reasons I love food – it helps us understand the world.”
How many TV shows have you hosted? And how are food programs different to other programs?
“My first show for the Asian Food Channel, Must Try: Asia, aired at the end of 2014. Since then, I’ve been working on digital content, creating short video recipes that anyone can follow with my web series Simply Special. I’m also currently filming my next show that will air later this year! I think food programs are such a perfect balance of entertainment and education, in that you can actually learn how to cook new things or about new places, but it’s still lots of fun.”
Interview with Sarah Benjamin
I see that you also post about food on your own blog. How important would you say keeping on your own blog is for your career in the food industry?
“My blog started out simply as an outlet for me to record recipes and thoughts about food. I never thought other people would be interested in it, but as it began to take off, I was really encouraged to experiment more in the kitchen and come up with my own recipes. On a personal level, having the blog has really spurred me to improve my cooking and achieve more in the kitchen. I think blogs and websites are great reading for anyone interested in food, and it really helps build a community of food lovers and food experts.”
What are some interesting differences between food and fashion?
“I really love fashion, but I do think that food is a lot more instinctual than fashion. I think that everyone immediately knows what they like to eat and what they dislike, so although you might be interested in food trends, you are guided by a very basic taste instinct. Fashion is shaped more by trends and the opinions of experts and designers.”
In your opinion, which Asian food is most difficult to cook?
“I think every dish has its challenges, but some dishes are just designed to be cooked in a restaurant. For example, with traditional Chinese food, you really need a powerful flame to fire your wok. Without that intense heat, you just can’t recreate the ‘wok hei’ or ‘spirit of the wok’ in your cooking.”
What are some common components/flavours between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore cuisine in your opinion?
“To an outsider, the food and flavors of Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia may seem really similar, but there is so much diversity in the food of this region. I think what ties it together is a love for balanced flavors even while using a wide range of spices. Cooks in this region always make sure to balance the elements of spice, sweetness, saltiness and sourness, as well as tempering it with coconut or coconut milk.”
When did you realise your love for cooking?
“When I was 5 or 6 years old, I cooked a 3 course meal for my father’s birthday. I remember making a carrot and ginger soup as a starter. Although it now seems like such a simple dish, my family was really impressed with it. I’ve never forgotten the satisfaction I get when people enjoy the food I’ve prepared, and that was the first one I realized I loved to cook.”
What are some of the initial steps you take when in the process of creating a new recipe?
“I am constantly thinking of new ideas for recipes, and always on the lookout for inspiration. A flash of inspiration can strike at any time, so I make sure to write down all my ideas. Then when I have time, I’ll try out the recipe and refine it further until I’m happy with it. But to me, a notebook is one of the most important tools of my kitchen.”
Sarah Benjamin
Who is your favourite mentor/chef that influenced you?
“Someone who really inspires me is Yotam Ottolenghi, a London-based chef. I love how his food is so clearly guided by his middle eastern heritage, yet he isn’t afraid to experiment and improve on his dishes using modern techniques. I hope to bring the same sense of heritage to my cooking, but with the same open-minded attitude to innovation.”
Do you have any interest in attempting to cook European cuisine?
“I actually learnt to cook European cuisine first, and only developed my Asian cooking skills when I was studying overseas and had no access to good Asian food. I’m a very adventurous cook, and I love trying new things in the kitchen, so I would never confine myself to one cuisine over another. It’s all fun for me!”
Do you have any plans to open your own restaurant?
“I would love to open my own restaurant, and I’ve had serious visions of places I would be so proud to call my own. However, I’m currently focusing on this wonderful adventure of hosting that I’m on. I always want to do the best I can, no matter what I do, and there’s so much I want to achieve, but who knows what will happen in the future?”
Could you share with us what you intend to further achieve in the culinary world? Besides cooking, what are your other hobbies?
“I would love to write cookbooks, and host more shows. Most importantly, I would love to share my passion for cooking with people and inspire them to cook and have fun in the kitchen. Besides cooking, I love to write, photograph and play the cello. I also love to travel, and hope to do alot more of it.”
Please share some advice for others who are interested in being a chef?
“I think the most important part of learning to cook is learning to eat. What I mean is that developing your own palate is the first step to being a great cook. When you become a discerning eater, you can distinguish between subtle differences in flavour and texture, which will really help you develop your cooking techniques and style. Also, always remember to have fun when eating and cooking! Never take food too seriously, and always retain a sense of adventure.”
Must Try! Asia
Food Hero winner Sarah Benjamin and the ever-innovative Chef Malcolm Goh travel across Asia’s most popular capitals and tuck into the city’s signature dishes in Must Try! Asia. Whether it’s Singapore’s famous Chicken Rice or Bangkok’s tasty stir-fried rice noodle, this adventurous duo will show you how creative you can go in re-creating these iconic dishes in your kitchen! Only on the Asian Food Channel.
The first season of Food Hero has made the name Sarah Benjamin popular whole over the world. She was known not only for her fond of cooking and passion for culinary world but also for her gregarious and down-to-earth personality. Born in food-crazy and industrious country, Sarah Benjamin has an undeniable passion for food and travel. Her straight-thinking personality is developed in a helping family. Yes, she was grown up in a warm family of a British father and a Chinese mother.
Sarah Benjamin
Development of Cooking Passion in Sarah Benjamin’s Life
Singapore is known for its craziness about foods and culinary-related things. This is certainly a good environment for the development of her cooking and travelling passion. Her obsession with food was also supported by her family since young age. Little Sarah was used to help her grandmother cooking Chinese specific cakes and foods, such as Yam Abacus, particularly when they were to welcome important celebrations, such as Chinese New Year.
Therefore, she admitted that her grandmother and grandaunt were culinary role models for her. Uniquely, her grandaunt was blind; therefore, she helped Sarah cooking by using hearing, smell, and touches, despite the fact the she could chop the ingredients! A unique tradition in her family was preparing foods, which were enough for twice the number of people who wanted to eat them. Therefore, there were always many foods on their dining table. How could she not fall in love with culinary things?
Sarah Benjamin used to prepare foods for her family and friends. Yes, she always smiles after finishing preparing delicious and healthy foods for her loved ones. She loves home cooked meal and stays away from junk foods. She brought this tradition until the time for university. When she moved to Scotland for political and sociological study at the University of Edinburg, she began to develop her passion in cooking Asian specific foods. She started her own cooking blog and shared great cooking experience and food styling.
Sarah Benjamin
Sarah Benjamin’s Professional History in Cooking
After graduating from Edinburg University, Sarah did not immediately return to Singapore. In Singapore, she then worked as a marketing executive for a restaurant chain. She still frequently appeared as a corporate host. Aside for her professional job, Sarah Benjamin actually prefers to try out need foods and new cooking recipes at home. Therefore, her mission to feed people and make them happy really makes sense.
Sarah Benjamin’s popularity began when she won the first season of Food Hero. It is an online and on-air program held by Asian Food Channel and Food Network. The program received mostly positive responses from the spectators in many countries of Asia. Sarah Benjamin is one of the two winners for the program. Sarah Benjamin from Malaysia and Michele Lean from Malaysia were announced by Scripps Network Interactive – a provider of home design, food, and travel contents – as the winners.
As Michele Lean does, Sarah Benjamin excelled more than 300 participants of the program and she won it because of her spirit and unique character when it comes to culinary and traveling passion. As the reward, Sarah would become a host for Must Try: Asia – program owned by Scripps Network. The program is suitable with her passion since she and the team would visit many areas in Asia, try out the foods, and find out unique things about the culture and culinary traditions of the country.
Amidst her busy schedules, Sarah Benjamin keeps writing in her food and culinary blog. She shares unique culinary creations with online community, where she can get great responses, supports, and ideas from the readers. Her capability to write in Mandarin, English, Malay, Korea, and Cantonese is an advantage since she can reach more readers, thanks to her multi-cultural family.
How Sarah Benjamin Develops Her Passion in Food and Culture
Her passion in food and culture is not questionable. Sarah Benjamin is creative in creating fresh recipes, which other people might never think of. She is always encouraged to create her own recipes, and always shares them in her food blog. Writing (whether in her blog or notebook) is her way to make the ideas for recipes real. She is really food of cooking Asian foods even though she cooked European cuisine for the first time. As an adventurous cook, she tries out any new things in the kitchen.
Despite her skills and passion, Sarah Benjamin still focuses on her wonderful adventures in hosting the cooking shows. In the near future, her focuses are writing her own cookbooks, sharing them in her blog, inspiring others to have fun in the kitchen, and hosting more shows to encourage others to love their country’s cuisine and culture. She realizes that every country has its own unique recipes and spices, which cannot be found in other countries; so are the cultures.
When trying out cuisines in different countries, she is always inspired to develop new ideas. For her, a discerning eater is able to distinguish between flavor and texture. This way, she can develop new styles and technique in cooking. The most important thing is having fun in cooking as well as eating.
Interesting Facts about Sarah Benjamin
Aside from her cooking and culinary passion, Sarah Benjamin has an interesting personality, since she was grown in a helping and sensible family. She has a unique way of seeing the world, thanks to her multi-cultural parents, experience in journalism, and multi-lingual competence. She also loves fashion, photography, and playing cello and piano. She also has special interests in travelling, as she loves to see new places, meet new people, and learn others’ cultures. Anytime she visits a country, she always learns something new.
When she was a child, Sarah Benjamin had many unusual bedtime stories, which spanned some centuries, thanks to anthropologist and sociologist parents. They even included myths, history of Singapore, Malay culture, and society. Her mother (who is a researcher) frequently told her the history from some Asian countries, including local folklore from Indonesia. Her parents also took her for fieldwork to interesting areas in Malaysia and Indonesia. It is not surprising that Sarah Benjamin socializes well with local people. She used to stay in kampong houses when they did field trips.
Must Try: Asia
Food Hero winner Sarah Benjamin and the ever-innovative Chef Malcolm Goh travel across Asia’s most popular capitals and tuck into the city’s signature dishes in Must Try: Asia. Whether it’s Singapore’s famous Chicken Rice or Bangkok’s tasty stir-fried rice noodle, this adventurous duo will show you how creative you can go in re-creating these iconic dishes in your kitchen! Only on the Asian Food Channel.
After the first season of Food Hero, her name keeps rising to popularity. Yes, she is Michele Lean, one of the winners of the program. She is known for her passion in culinary world. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on September 1st of 1982, Lean spent most of her early life in the Capital City of Malaysia, Borneo, Melbourne, and Hong Kong. It is even difficult for her to answer the question, “We are you from?” since she considers them all her homes.
Michele Lean
Michele Lean is a passionate traveler, as she has traveled to different parts of the world, such as Indonesia, China, Canada, and Australia. She loves beach and marine life very much. For this hobby, she calls herself a beach girl, as she is always amazed with the beauty of sea, sand, and sun. The woman with full name Michele Yi Wen Samantha Lean is also fond of technology and architecture and crazy about cartoon characters, such as Stewie and Daria from Happy Tree Friends and Family Guy.
Michele Lean’s Education
As she has traveled and breathed in different cities for extended period, Michele Leans also studied in different countries. She studied as Island School Hong Kong, where her passion for television developed, thanks to CNN Hong Kong. In Malaysia, she studied at Garden International School. In her hometown, her talent in the world of selling consumerism was ignited. In Malaysia, she took internship programs at Herald Sun online department, CNN International Asia Pacific, and the Sun newspaper.
In Melbourne, Australia, she studied at University of Melbourne, from which she graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications in 2007. She had part time career in acting and modeling in this city. There, her camera experience begun and her knowledge of print and online media developed after working as editor-in-chief for Veeza magazine. Her acting skills were polished in New York Film Academy. In other words, Michele Lean is a perfect blend of different cultures and skills.
Professional Career
In 2007, she moved to China, where her professional career in television began to rise. In the same year, she was recruited by China Central Television for English-based CCTV-9, in which, she hosted an English language program in traveling, called Travelogue. Later, she hosted a music variety show called Centre Stage. With Travelogue, she gained much experience and knowledge about Chinese cultures, from the lives of Chinese ethnic minorities to the nightlife in the busy city of Beijing.
Michele Lean
Her broadcasting experience began when her Travelogue’s program was filmed in Xinjiang, China. The program, called Ethnic Odyssey, provided her with great opportunities to try the life of ethnic minorities. She lived with nomadic Kazakh in the mountains of Altay. She rode horse as the main transportation facility from one location to another. But overall, she loves the diversity, color, breathtaking scenery, music, and archeological sites in Xinjiang. Her adventurous experiences with Travelogue have been released on DVD version in China.
From the moment on, she appeared in different TV programs in different countries, such as Malaysia and Australia. She even hosted a special program, which was aired throughout Beijing Olympics in 2008. In 2011, she hosted Outlook English, a two-episode series in CCTV-10, Beijing. Then, since became a guest-judging panel of Star of Outlook 2011 for the same channel. In Malaysia, she appeared in Icon Magazine – a luxury and society publication – from 2009 to 2010.
Insights about Foods and Cultures
Her mother and grandmother are very good cooks. They love experimenting with different ingredients That is why Michele Lean loves culinary world. She was always involved in the process of cooking and serving foods during her childhood. Despite a little girl, she was taught how to make sophisticated dishes, omelet (particularly for her father, who loves egg very much), cereal, juice, and sandwiches. Her love for cooking developed formally, when she received a culinary scholarship – Culinary Trust 2012-2013 – offered by Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa, Canada.
During her travel around the world, Michele Lean has tried different types of foods, whether Asian and Western. She notices how geography, history, and culture of a country influence the taste, particularly in the usage of spices. For her, the best way to experience a true culture of a place or a country is by eating the local foods. She believes that foods give us a universal understanding of a country’s culture, where language is not a barrier anymore. Without words, you can learn a country’s culture through foods.
For the 32-year-old TV presenter, a tasty food represents a balance between textures, use of spices, and flavor. This is only served by a cook, who cares and loves the food she/he serves. She finds that each country she has visited has some best foods, which cannot be found in any other countries. In Indonesia, she loves kek lapis, or layered cake, but she also found great foods in Malaysia, China, and Australia.
Vision of Culinary Industry
Michele Lean loves the culinary industry very much, as she has been forged by some culinary TV programs, which she hosted. After Travelogue, she hosted Foods Wars, where she took the contestants to a journey in cooking. As she loves food concepts, she may some day pursue a plan to open a restaurant as a business. In addition, she would like to challenge the misconceptions related to foods. Her principle is try every thing even though it is not physically appealing. “You will never know how it tastes before you try it.”
She has pursued her career in travel and food, as they are her greatest passions. That is why Lean has not had a plan to pursue another business in different sector. Even though she may someday have a different business, I should have something to do with culinary world and travel.
Finally, for those who are interested in culinary world or looking forward to being a chef, Lean advises you to try everything as long as you are not allergic to it. In addition, besides the talent, learning from the right source is important, whether it is a mentor, a restaurant, or a formal school.
Food Wars Asia Premieres on Food Network, Tuesday, 7 April 2015 at 8.00pm (7.00PM JKT/TH)
Food Hero Michele Lean, travel lover and passionate about all things food, sets out to find the most celebrated dishes in Singapore and Malaysia, food that defines destinations and create local rivalries spanning generations. From Singapore’s famous Fishball Noodles to Malaysia’s Nasi Lemak, Food Wars Asia pits nation’s most famous culinary rivals against one another for a final showdown, where a blind taste test will settle the debate once and for all on who makes the best dish in town.
Want to participate Food War TV Show?
Know two great places in your country that’s serving the same dish and you can’t decide who’s best? Leave your comments on www.facebook.com/foodnetworkasia!
After the first season of Food Hero, her name keeps rising to popularity. Yes, she is Michele Lean, one of the winners of the program. She is known for her passion in culinary world. Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on September 1st of 1982, Lean spent most of her early life in the Capital City of Malaysia, Borneo, Melbourne, and Hong Kong. It is even difficult for her to answer the question, “We are you from?” since she considers them all her homes.
A passionate traveler, beach and marine life lover, Travelfore fortunately make a in depth interview with the woman with full name Michele Yi Wen Samantha Lean.
Here, Michele shares her insight about foods and cultures, discusses Food Wars Asia and offers advice on how to make the most of your culinary adventure. Read on:
Would you please share about your program Food Wars and how it differs to other food TV shows?
“There are cooking programs, there are eating shows and then, there’s Food Wars! I’ll take you with me on a journey where you’ll get to experience cooking and the eating in two different kitchens that serve the same dish. Together, we’ll meet the owners, the fans and wait in suspense while the panel of judges decide which of the two locations serves it best in a blind fold taste test.”
When you travel around the world, what are the basic differences between Asian and Western food?
“I’d have to say the usage of spices. It is very much dependent on the geography, culture and history of the country. Even within a country, you’ll find differences in the food just going from north-south or east-west.”
You have ever visit Indonesia. What is your favourite Indonesian foods? Please explain why?
“Kek Lapis. I love kek lapis. It always fascinates me how each layer alternates between light & dark so consistently. I’ve even gone through the trouble of googling ‘best kek lapis in Jakarta’ before a layover, called the baker and ordered it a few days before my flight and had it delivered to me just before my connecting flight. I took a 2 kg kek lapis with me on my travels and ate some every day.”
In your opinion, is there any correlation between food and culture?
“Definitely. I’ve always firmly believed that no matter how many sites you visit or how much time you spend in a country, you’ve never really experienced a place’s true culture until you’ve eaten local food from places frequented by locals. Unlike language, eating and food is universal. It gives us a better understanding of a country’s culture without the language barriers.”
What are heritage foods that have been cooked since thousand years ago?
“Haha…in 1015? I suppose something with meat and vegetables – depending on where in the world you were at the time. Definitely no fast or processed food.”
How can a food considered has good taste in your opinion?
“Taste is very subjective but in my opinion, balance is key. The right balance of spice, textures and flavour is what I look for. And soul – the best food is cooked by a cook who cares.”
You’ve stay for long time in Malaysia, Singapore and China. According to you, what country which has the most culinary richness?
“I’ve actually lived in Malaysia, Australia and China the longest and all of these places have a rich and diverse culinary heritage. To pick one would be like asking me to tell you which of my two sisters was my favourite – impossible. 😀 ”
Interview With Michele Lean
When did you start to cook and what food was being your first cooking?
“The first thing I ever made on my own was an omelete. I was 7 or 8 and wanted to make that for my dad because he loves eggs. Before that, my sisters and I always put together Mother’s Day breakfast for my mum but if I remember correctly, it was mostly made up of juice and cereal or sandwiches.”
Who influenced you to love cooking?
“My mum and my grandmother. They are fantastic cooks, love experimenting with different cuisines and they would always involve us. My sisters and I would watch and they’d teach us by getting us to help out with tasks that became increasingly more difficult as we grew more experienced in the kitchen.”
Have you ever learn cook formally?
“Yes, I trained in traditional French cuisine at Le Cordon Bleu in Ottawa.”
Besides cooking and acting, what are your activities?
“I love scuba diving, yoga and I’d like to start longboarding soon. And travel – I travel a lot. I’m addicted to travelling and new experiences but I also love revisiting countries and getting to know them better.”
Have a plan to open a restaurant someday?
“Let’s see! 😀 Time will tell. I love food concepts and if the right opportunity comes along, I’d definitely pursue it.”
What is your next goal for culinary industry?
“I’d like to challenge the misconceptions that people have about food and get people to try things they wouldn’t normally eat or say they don’t like without actually having tried it.”
Have a plan to be a business woman that not in culinary industry?
“Up till now, I’ve dedicated my career to involve food and travel (my two greatest passions) and plan to continue to do so. Even if I were to go into a different industry, I imagine it will always encompass some form of travel and food.”
Please share your advices for them who interested in being chef?
“Experiment, keep learning and try EVERYTHING – unless you’re allergic to it, then stay clear. J Find a mentor, a school or a restaurant you like and absorb all the knowledge you can. Also, I suggest working out. It helps to build stamina in the kitchen.”
Michele Lean
Food Wars Asia Premieres on Food Network, Tuesday, 7 April 2015 at 8.00pm (7.00PM JKT/TH)
Food Hero Michele Lean, travel lover and passionate about all things food, sets out to find the most celebrated dishes in Singapore and Malaysia, food that defines destinations and create local rivalries spanning generations. From Singapore’s famous Fishball Noodles to Malaysia’s Nasi Lemak, Food Wars Asia pits nation’s most famous culinary rivals against one another for a final showdown, where a blind taste test will settle the debate once and for all on who makes the best dish in town.
Want to participate Food War TV Show?
Know two great places in your country that’s serving the same dish and you can’t decide who’s best? Leave your comments on www.facebook.com/foodnetworkasia!
