Feather in the cap for three chefs

LAST-MINUTE improvisation to their Nyonya recipes still brought a gold medal to three chefs who represented Malaysia in the recent International Chef Master Challenge 2004 in Chongqing, China. 

Lee Chan Wai, 34, Andy Oh and Adolf Tan, both 37, were beaming with pride as they beat participants from 23 other countries in the team event during the prestigious competition. 

“Half of our ingredients of spices and herbs were confiscated at the Immigrations checkpoint in China as we did not apply for approval to bring the foodstuff in,” said Oh. 

“The immigration officers at last consented to let us have part of our things. We just used whatever we had and made changes to our cooking,” explained Oh, who is also chairman of the Chefs’ Association of Malaysia, Penang. 

The team whipped up a total of eight Nyonya dishes, four hot and four cold, and gained the favour of judges’ discerning taste buds. 

“We were actually aiming for two gold medals,” said Lee. 

“Our roti jala dish which we want to make for the performance event did not materialise as the event was cancelled due to cold winds.” 

All three of them have around 20 years of experience as chefs and this title of Chef Master now adds another feather in their caps.