Friday, July 01, 2011

Gourmet Cooking with Chef Eric Low - OurCommunity.sg - PH

PhotoHunt theme : Busy

Gourmet Cooking with Chef Eric Low

It's been quite some time since I attended a course at the local community centres due to my busy schedule.  I receive frequent emails and texted messages from the administrators about courses but with the newly launched mobile portal OurCommunity.sg, it allows residents like me to access up-to-the-minute information about courses, activities and facilities, interest groups and food outlets via my smartphone. So convenient!

I was delighted there would be a Penang Assam Laksa and other nonya delights course taught by Chef Eric Low at Tampines West Community Centre on 30 June 2011. Although it was an hour from my house by bus, I signed up for the course.


There were 13 participants, 12 ladies and a guy. While most of them are residents living nearby, several like me travelled from other parts of the island to learn from Chef Eric. There was a domestic helper who is a regular of Chef Eric's cooking courses. She has learnt quite a number of dishes and is churning out yummy dishes for her Mam's weekly party. Cool! 

 Lots of questions to ask ...........

With so many like-minded people in a room, very soon we were bantering, sharing cooking tips and info on where to buy what, as if we have known one another for years. A few even gave me their contact numbers so we can have companionship when participating in future courses. Such a course certainly brings people together, bridging communities, fostering new friendships and creating stronger bonds.

ingredients used in Assam Laksa


Chef Eric has studied in the CIA,  it's the Culinary Institute of America lah, not the intelligence agency. I used to pester my son to join this school in California so I could live there for a while. haha... Eric is also from SHATEC and currently works with Nestle. His passion for food is contagious.

His dishes are simple yet tasty using ingredients that are easily available at the wet market. The delivery of the know-how is clear. Also, he offers many cooking tips and generous portions for food sampling.
What we learnt at this course :

 1) Penang Assam Laksa

 2) Inche Kabin (Penang Nonya Fried Chicken)


3)Durian Flavoured Fresh Tapioca Cake

Many of the regulars bought containers to bring the food samplings back. I finished every bit of mine. :P

Can't wait to cook the newly learnt dishes for my hungry guys at home! 


Tampines West Community Centre
5 Tampines Avenue 3
Singapore 529705
Tel: 6783 7910
Fax: 6785 4875
Opening hours: 9:00am-10:00pm

Visit OurCommunity.sg to check out the activitites at the nearest Community Centre you can take part in!

*********** oooOOOooo **********

Are you craving for a slice of authentic Taiwanese street fare? Let Chef Eric's Taiwanese culinary delights transport you to the night markets of Taiwan's bustling cities.

Chef Eric Low's Personal Favourites :   Taiwanese Street Snacks

1) XXL Extra Large Crispy Chicken Cutlets 
2) The Taiwanese Prata 
3) Braised Pork Mince on Rice

Venue: MOUNTBATTEN CC
Tel: 63447387,63445768
Email: PA_MOUNTBATTENCC@pa.gov.sg

Date: 11 Jul 2011 
Day/Time: MONDAY, 7:30pm - 9:45pm

I can't get enough of Chef Eric's yummy fare, so I signed up for this as well. :D




First Commenter -



30 comments:

lina said...

What cool community activities. I wish I can join. ;p

EastCoastLife said...

Lina,
Come over to Singapore for a holiday and we can participate in the activities together. :)

The fees are reasonable too.

Jean Soo said...

hi ECL! great workshop! :) the laksa looks yummy!licious!! :) so did u cook anything frm the workshop for yr guys at home?

Anonymous said...

Cool! I like his lessons.

Chef Eric is a R&D Chef with NESTLE Research and Development Center.

One of the few local chefs trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he was an Executive Sous Chef on board one of the world's largest privately own super yachts catering to dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities and prominent business leaders.

I hope to cook on board a vessel too.

Bet you are going to cook Assam Laksa often since it's one of your favourite dishes. :D

Jaymes

Sandee said...

Okay, now I'm hungry. What a fun thing to get to do.

Have a terrific day. :)

Tekkaus said...

War...so good you guys can learn how to cook high class gourmet from pro chef. :)

EastCoastLife said...

Hi Jean,
The Assam Laksa is indeed yummilicious! :)

I just went to the supermarket to buy the ingredients for cooking Assam Laksa this weekend. :D

EastCoastLife said...

Jaymes,
Cool ah!? From CIA leh.

Chef Eric said he learnt a lot from CIA. Want to consider going to California instead of Switzerland? California also has luxurious yachts. :D

EastCoastLife said...

Sandee,
Wish I could offer you a taste of the food. The dishes do look tempting and they are easy to prepare.

EastCoastLife said...

Tekkaus,
Yes, I am surprised the instructor is so highly qualified.

The fees charged is low considering the market rates such a high caliber chef would charge.

Silver said...

wow food are delish. i wish i can join you there too.Everybody are having fun!

oceanskies79 said...

It seems like you are enticing your son to further enhance his cooking skills overseas.

And well, you seem to have a great time learning to prepare wonderful meals.

Life Ramblings said...

it's great to challenge yourself with something new. the dishes look great, i could almost smell them from here.

Life Ramblings said...

btw, Tnchick has come up with new themes and this week's theme is busy. hope you can play along too.

happy weekend and happy cooking ECL. :)

Kloggers/Polly said...

You managed to learn quite a lot in a short amount of time. :)
It's a lovely idea to have community courses. I don't think that there is anything like that over here. We can attend Evening Classes or Night School ... these are adult courses set up in local schools in children's classrooms or colleges. I did quite a few of these when I was in my teens and twenties but it was shorthand, speaking in front of others and that sort of thing .. not really fun stuff like flower arranging, painting and pottery .. the sort of thing that was tempting but there never appeared to be any time to do this sort of activity.

Mar said...

You are always so (fun) busy with plenty of interesting activities! your post made very hungry :D

Happy weekend!
busy

YTSL said...

Isn't the CIA in Philadelphia? :O

azahar said...

What a great way to keep busy!

Julie said...

ECL! that durian flavored cake seems yummy. I still have to try durian cheesecake, I'm not sure if we have that here in Manila :D

Happy weekend!

My PH:
http://homeschooling.teacherjulie.com/2011/07/02/busy-resort/

http://pixiepixels.info/2011/07/02/busy-ant/

foongpc said...

This is indeed a nice way to make friends for a common interest.

foongpc said...

Wow! I want that durian flavoured tapioca cake!! Sounds yummy!!! Make some and courier to me! Haha!!

Carver said...

That looks like a fun experience. Now my mouth is watering from looking at the delicious food.

Sue St Clair said...

Sounds like a fun, and yummy class to take!

archiearchive said...

Kitchens are very busy places!

Liz said...

ECL is always busy! The food looks great I got hungry. :)

Have a fabulous weekend!

Liz @ MLC

stanley said...

How I wish I could have that durian flavoured fresh tapioca cake now and savour it.

jams o donnell said...

What an excellent way to be busy ECL. The food looks delicious!

Lifecruiser Travel Blog said...

YUM! that sounded like something for me too :-P

levian said...

that durian flavored cake definitely have my first vote! can't blame you for finishing every last bite of yours! :p

Anonymous said...

Salivating! Hope I do not flood east coast :)

I will try to enrol for Chef Eric Course for the 11 Jul at Mountbatten CC.