Sayangku Azura

Winter wonderland

2012-01-30T02:19:00.000+08:00

I am currently not in Malaysia, I am counting my blessings every each day.

Friendship we made, sweetness we savored...these are beautiful things we should not never take for granted.

I am somewhere beautiful and once I got some time and better internet access, I'll post more pictures

Love, as white and pure as fresh snow that land on my hand

xx
CAO

Refreshed

2012-01-01T00:46:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year 2012 ,I know this will be a great year for me and for you.I will post ore pictures in days to come, but for now I need to let everyone now and be jealous of how nice it is to be able to rest for few months,like total pause in my life and spend time just for me.

Take care.

xxx

Azura

Idle, trust me...you need it too.

2011-11-16T15:04:00.001+08:00

Resting at total peace, sea breeze, storm and rain.

I am on idle .Just spoiling myself and the fish I fed.

Of When and where

2011-11-10T00:13:00.002+08:00

English tea with my matey

When I forced my brother to take me for banana leaf dinner

reminiscing

When my tires were being checked

Vietnam, when I felt that I need that extra sweetness

when I was surrounded by my favorite chefs and chef's equipment supplier

When I saw Dustin Nguyen

favorite people!

When Nat took us all to this unique place

Signage on a tuk tuk

while ,in Bangkok, wow that's my favorite coffee place back in my own country

When I was at Gianni's and I was pampered with chocolat

Say quiche!

brother leading sister

when I was with Sudipta and Gaurav in Bangalore chilling after our exhibition hectic moments

Guiding light

kitchen mania

Ben Attwater's restaurant in the Hyatt

When I was upgraded

rose in my garden :)

can you see the rainbow?

Coast to coast

2011-10-25T12:29:00.001+08:00

Sunny day and everything was A OK :)

Penang

2011-10-22T23:47:00.000+08:00

before it was officially opened my late father once, took us for a drive On the bridge.So I am among the first to ever crossed to Penang via this bridge circa 84!

Place we always go when we're in Penang since dad was still around

Saigon dreaming

2011-10-11T23:24:00.001+08:00

came back home to blooms!

Thanks Mr Alan for the upgrade.

q industries are the best people led by Madam Quek-good person

my new friends from Poland!thanks for the lift to the expo

rice fest!

staple

FHT Bangkok

2011-09-25T18:16:00.001+08:00

Camera phone of candid experience

2011-09-02T11:58:00.001+08:00

kill em' ants

to donate to this account for the acid splashing victim to go through his op

At the border

shoe and frilly handbag

Starfruit for a star

my own made chicken stock eaten with chicken balls

my brother loves the coffee!

breaking fast

miracle plant

vodoo plant , nah i made that up

it smells nice

waiting for the doctor

hair drying without the heat

what a way of selling property

eating at Sm mall of asia

my filipina business associates

went into this restaurant and they served all sorts including...heinz baked beans? for dinner?like serious?

fish sinagang and rice :)

my fav :)

you really do expect me to walk to that end?with this heels?

my favourite!

All in life is fair

2011-09-02T11:19:00.002+08:00

Finally, August is gone the month where I work had, betrayed,being second guessed, plagiarized of my work and make use of that to win their bosses hearts.Frankly,I would rather sleep the entire month but I am glad that we are kissing September now.

The art of moving on and leaving the past as priceless artifacts.

When my new rheumy Dr S said to me while looking at my chest x ray and health report that "Azura has such a big heart! and her heart is clean!!!" with his big sincere smile,I wanted to say thanks!but I just smiled because I feel such a relieve to have moved on with my health despite the hiccups of my lungs recently that is the resulting from my constant hectic schedule.I am ok now , being on medication and trying to run into the fast track as soon as I can.

What happened to me in August will be buried with a tombstone that says "screw you" I fogrive and never forget the journalist from Kosmo who had fabricated stories of me and potraying me as a stupid person, the girl who had plagiarized me .I live my life honest and clear I don't owe anyone anything and for people who had wronged me I am sure they will be wronged too.

I chose to just be at peace and I am forgiving not for you... I am doing this for me.

Victim of vicious lie

2011-08-20T13:39:00.000+08:00

I received a phone call when I was in Manila( for world food expo) of a reporter wanting to interview me regarding my experience battling with Lupus.

Because the press claim to be from KOSMO! a newspaper I respect for the fact that they had been supporting me throughout my career.Name is the editor or the entertainment editor, are credible writers to me.

It is not the newspaper that is bad , it is only one writer that has been writing things that are not true about me.As much as i want to forget the article , it is degrading me as a professional chef and the title of the article did not even touch on SLE which is my fight, my cause to create awareness and to tell girls out there that there is life beyond lupus.But what was written are things like I was ditched by my boyfriend which aren't true and my desire to have a TV show, which are vicious lie that is not what I had said and my mum does not know anything about cooking which is another terrible lie.

I started working with Four Seasons at the pastry kitchen and later I joined Mandarin oriental before pursuing my studies after I have Lupus- that was not written.My achievement as the first of many firsts was not written but instead she had chosen to write about things that I don't even say

I am really , really upset by this intention to ruin my reputation that I had built for years and it has caused me an emotional distress.

Apa ertinya cinta?

2011-08-14T20:21:00.000+08:00

Writing is definitely a channel to express ones emotion.Despite being laughed at sometimes for wanting to be 2 in 1, chef and a writer incluing sarcasms like"You mean chefs can spell?" or"you can't win all the time" I don't care.As i had preached many times whatever people think about me or you is none of our business.We are like everyone else in this world born , trying to survive and die.Some survive well just by eating barley and some ace at surviving by eating lobster and caviar.

Whether you are enjoying your crustacean at this moment or not, I still think winning is a subjective word and no material entity could justify our success for instance my mother,she seldom have much money after my father died there were at one point of my life that we were eating a loaf of bread for a day compared to the luxury of having my dad around taking us to posh restaurants all the time, but she definitely ace at raising 2 children on her own who loves her to death.That's a beautiful wealth, I definitely was raised to acknowledge the importance of having a deeper wealth and that is in the centre of my heart.

For a year and I think if you read this often like my frequent gang (you know who you are) you realized how obsessed I am with creating food that could give you the same feeling like you're in love, though I think I had done that with my teardrops of dark chocolate and passion centre, I think it is about time that i turn one volume up and try to create that happiness in few floral food that I had created.I can't reveal what i had done since the ingredients are of sponsors to be used for their promo kit.This is addition to a very healthy debate I had with a friend about romance , fear, anger and mood enhancing food.

Subhanallah, in this beautiful month of ramadhan for muslims finally a chef like me has learnt a beautiful knowledge, a lesson to not fight it, the skill of letting go and letting it happen and when it finally happens to not push it away.

I admit it, I can't make you feel like you had fallen in love despite all sorts of love potion- aromatheraphy's floral ingredients being put into my dish, and I have stopped wanting to create anything to make any one fall in love with me or feel like they are in love.I just want people to be happy when they see my food, when they taste my food , when they understand my happiness of them enjoying my food.

Love , death, qada and qadar the devine destiny that was written before we arrive here, we can't force it , we can't push it not you not me and not me to try and recreate your sweetest memory or play with brain emotion, doesn't matter if I had been reading hundreds of books or make recipes for series of Aphrodisiac cooking articles.

At this paragraph I think you know this is not only about food, this is about a chef's inferior to go out there and let her hair down and letting things happen.Everything has to be under control for this small, small person.

The best you can do if you will ever eat my dessert is to close you eyes taste with your 10,000 tastebuds in your mouth , take the second dollop let it stay on on the tip of your tongue...close you eyes and think of the happiest moment in your life.

Here's too rosa, violet and lavender 3 elements of aroma to encourage your heart to receive love.

My chakra is shining ...

You know I love you. xxx

CAO

Manila on my mind

2011-08-11T23:31:00.001+08:00

Some star power at the food show he is the basketball player.

Alex's team won many medals but the superstar is definitely his son the cutie pie with an equally cute mum.

I watched some wimpy kid after watching going the distance- now I am officially in love with Justin Long
or the character he was in the movie

\Wofex

I love my junior suite it is spacious

I love this cloud formation

daddy and daughter

showing off that I was having a little chat with Markki the pop star in The Philippines.

How can I ever forget The Philippines?Being a big fan of malls I went to see my friend the first time when I was 20 in Manila and I am in love with this city despite what others might say.

I love our "Orvedians" there and I love how Orved is expanding our wings so wide in The Philippines and I hope to visit Manila again , maybe next time with some parties too....It's always work and work and shopping(at the airport)

I'm off to bed, I did too much for today with the new washing machine and all.

Goodnight people

xxxx

CAO

Succumbed to the state of serenity

2011-07-24T16:20:00.000+08:00

I had lost my beloved aunt about a month ago, I was in India at the time,She suffered from Liver cancer and we know Liver cancer is a serious illness.

Up until today , I do not know what to feel about losing her, of course we all know that everyone of us will die and for a month I have been lying to myself that it will be ok,

For a pro in sadness and grieve I am accepting this with open heart , she is in a better place and left me with this pain in my heart.

She is a good person who never talks bad about others and loving me her niece with the story books, soups, laksas and chocolate cakes that we shared together...it will always be in my heart.

I have to accept the fact that everyone's getting old and will leave me.

This fact took me to my own state of serenity as a moslem to accept my fate and makes the most of my life.

We all know that is what those who had left me wants for me...to reach my true potential and be happy.

As I snapped my finger while sitting on my grandma's swing, I tied up my pink converse's lace and we drove back to our house.My dad and my aunt is in a better , much better place right now....

Hi Azura, Welcome to the state of serenity.

Looks can be deceiving these pictures has got nothing to do with my story.

we all need this ligh

from our fish pond

In Bangkok at a nice quaint little restaurant with my dealer Nut who had captured this.

With our old friend Helen who runs a coffee shop , I there since I was 3 when my late father was working in The United States of Serenity

Dr Jekyll, Miss Hyde and Doctor Angels

2011-07-23T17:32:00.001+08:00

Dear Arrogant doctor,

Remember when you arrogantly told me that you're a specialist , a neurologist ?

Do you remember how I bash you back and told you off, I want you to remember what I had said and never ever treated anyone who never been to Med school like that ever again.You had given your private hospital the smelliest of name.So screw that.

It was not trigerminal neuralgia and all the tegretol that my mother was not tolerating at the time is the first investigation info that you could actually USE.

When the problem is in the jaw have you ever thought about investigating the area before making assumptions that it is Trigerminal neuralgia?

My mother was wrongly diagnosed for 6 years and she had lost those years, who are we to blame?

I would understand if they make a proper investigation with the money that I had paid them so that they can pay their Merc and Porsche.

Thanks to Dr Ng who is one experienced surgeon , a specialist with an extremely good track record and yet humble and kind. A true doctor and I would suggest anyone with oral issue to visit him.

It happened that he removed some particles from my mum mother's jaw and she is pain free now...just in 45 minutes he changed my mother's life.

We had seen 4 specialists prior to this most of them have a nice personality and one of them is so arrogant.I can forget and forgive for she had risked my mum's life and yet spoken in such a rude manner , I would suggest her to go and get her head sorted I do not to cause her trouble by reporting her to the board because I know her background,It 's ok to be poor in the pocket, but to have a poor personality,I truly feel sorry for her.

Dear Fantastic Doctors,

Thanks to Dr Ng and his team at Section 25 PJ great nurses, great clinic and complete with hi tech equipment and also our dentist Dr Lou in Jalan Bukit Bintang , he will be moving to PJ soon but with these people who had treated my mum... I will always be praying for your happiness,health and wealth.Thank you for working with sincerety.

Bangkok chapter 555

2011-07-01T01:18:00.002+08:00

The booth in progress

This story happened 6 days and 20 hours before I departed for Bangalore India...

I am a Chef that travels for living.I love my job and I think it is the best job in the world.I love my bosses, my immediate boss who is probably reading this occasionally and I love my colleague especially those who assist me constantly with endless support.At Orved, we are bullish on venturing into new market and we love what we do , we conserve food and we cook food sous vide, I do not need to advertise what sous vide is, so check out yourself by googling it.

This trip to Bangkok marked our first ever exhibition in Thailand and we are looking forward to a great venture with our newly appointed dealership Gibthai that is kind enough to have supplied us with drinking bottled water and cute likkle pen.

I don't get to take much pictures because I was always working giving speeches and reading and replying mails.i managed to sneak a coffee with Nancy and Patrick.it was nice seeing these faces that soothes my heart.I hope we will always be like this, living in each other's heart and when we see each other , we could have great coffee again!

manna at SIAm Paragon

The red t shirt ers

Bangkok is Bangkok and honestly it is a great city to hang out over the weekend but when you are there for work, it is just another city filled with traffic and confusion for me... good confusion that is...

My view opposite my friend's hotel

I 'll be back soon Bangkok since I ain't got much time to do shopping the other day.

probably the biggest cocktail do I have ever been

My boudoir at The Marriot Courtyard, fantastic hotel

Raw ,Unedited ,uncensored... Bangalore

2011-07-01T00:52:00.001+08:00

The guy who at the first place refuse to take me to my hotel in the rain over the long route since he was not allowed to enter Brigade road the shopping area near my hotel, but he did manage to sent me as I offered double and said thanks to him many times.Courtesy and extra cash can seldom go wrong.

One of the reason that makes staying at Iris worthwhile, the chef's smile(he is probably reading this) and his FOOD, awesome food name it breakfast , lunch or burger.vadaa breakfast is highly recomended by yours truly.

I am watching you in the rain... on my way back to my hotel in rainy Bangalore

Chilli oil in ORVED sous vide bags.

Battery operated TATA

Son and mother.

He is not even with Celfrost, our dealership, but he helped and on the third day I learnt that he don't work for them.
Thank you for helping me throughout the show.

My latest toys

oohhh sexy! the fastest vacuum packer? the right one is my favorite.

Auto, gotta love em

A place I wanted to go but have no space of time to actually sit down and have a proper meal or drink.

Viknatesh the guy who made me coffee with smile everytime without fail also one of the reason to go back to the cafe.

Mother and son selling sweet corn, I end up buying 2 and gave to another drum seller down the street.

Yes, I am againts peeing in the public too.

Kohinoor down brigade road that is full of character

Fun people

Garbage truck!

Brigade road

I said so many times that I wanted to go to India, browsing through pictures of my late father when he once went to New Delhi with his friend makes me feel like I wanted to be in front of Taj Mahal and visiting all the amazing cities in India.
Then here comes Celfrost inviting orved to join them at one of the biggest Hospitality show in Southern India.honestly all the visa and the travel arrangement was a bit of a nightmare having to arrive from Bangkok after a week of Som tam , Tom yam and staying at the prestigious Sukhumvit address and prepared to fly again after merely 10 hours.This is among the insanest thing I had ever done but luckily i took a good care of myself , a slight fatigue on my first day in Bangalore but second day i was rolling , shopping and making friends already.
Despite what I had commented on my facebook about IRIS hotel and how some of my wishes aren't fully fulfilled , I must say Mr Nair, Mirza and the rest of the cafe team did an excellent job in making customers happy that I had forgotten about the rest of my unhappiness and how less than convenient to actually log on the internet and few other incidents.Thank you Iris most of all thank You Mr Nair the GM for trying his best to make the guest all happy.

Cow outside the retail shops

Things that I managed to do is get like many kurti for me to wear during this tropical sticky weather, they are bloody colourful , went to sky bar which is a gorgeous place but we didn't carry our cameras with us -mind you you can't dance there, you can pretend dance but no real dancing it's illegal, nevertheless it's a gorgeous place.

May I have this building for my restoration project please?

Commercial ctreet

A chapel near Garuda Mall, that's where you should go , GARUDA MALL

Traffic to the Airport

Bengaluru Airport

The coffee shop that only accepts AMEX which I think is silly because none of us use AMEX except for my friend Keith

I love the sky.

India is what I expected it to be,I only drink bottled water I love it's people , I feel the pain of the poverty,I love the colourful fabrics,I adore my business associates and I love TATA nano.

it's a beautiful India indeed and I only had seen Bangalore!

NONE OF THIS PICTURES HAD BEEN RETOUCHED.

M is for Melaka

2011-06-10T11:26:00.000+08:00

One fine morning I got up and just head to Melaka, well...just instinct.

Good Morning Vietnam

2011-06-10T10:49:00.000+08:00

I was in Ho Chi Minh City for a cooking demo with Annam ,Orved's dealer in Vietnam.

Thanks to everyone for making it a reality.

This entry is dedicated to Chef Kadir who had asked me about my quiet blog, thanks so much for your kindness when I visited your facility at UPM yesterday.May this be the beginning of everything awesome we're about to do in the future.

I love you long time so you know the meaning ...says the song

2011-05-29T02:45:00.000+08:00

What's on your playlist today?

Smile ... you're in Saigon

2011-05-26T23:18:00.000+08:00

Now we well, more like" I " remember the last time I was here in Saigon.It was totally different.Not the city , but my emotion,it is different but I can't remember how it felt.It's funny how fast we forget.

If I can turn back time

2011-05-22T19:33:00.000+08:00

My mother is currently unwell with a disease called trigerminal neuralgia, it is a very uncool disease.
My life turns upside down everytime my mum is ill.

This remarkable woman raised me on her own... just now when I was applying balm on my mum's feet to relieve her pain , I discovered that she got cracked feet, she must have got it from us moving house and she is among the most hardworking one among us 3.While I was whining about having a darker skin as a result from all the sun I was exposed to during our move here and spent money at the chemist getting all sorts of lotions and potion my mum didn't complain about her feet,everyday for as long as I have live every morning got asked if I had my breakfast and she would like to prepare anything for me, everytime i am tired she is the one who asked if i am ok , If I need a nap , If i want a cup of milo.There is no day that my mother never takes care of my welfare and needs, even when the world dissapoints me, even when I am being blamed by thing I didn't do, even when the rest betrayed me,she is the only person that come to me wipe my tears and tellme to bounce back right there and then.

No love from other human being can beat the purity of love and care you have for me.

I might have differences with my mum as I grow older.The temper and tantrums and all the things I should not have done and I am sorry mum for being so hot in my head at times,

I love you so, so much and it's breaking my heart that you got sick so often lately ,with your hair turning white, when you have to read with glasses.I just want you to be well so that we can go shopping like we always did.

You might not know this... you are the number one person whom I love and I don't see that it will change ever.

Pride and joy and service like no other.

2011-05-17T14:47:00.000+08:00

I would like to congratulate Malaysia Airlines from the bottom of my heart for being such an excellent provider of service.Either I fly on business, first or even economy...First class hospitality ...always, without fail.Throughout my life I had travelled with at least 15 airlines, nothing could beat my home airline's not only good people but good fleet as well!

Congratulations on A330 -300 i honestly can't wait to fly on this fleet!

For instance, at the business lounge, The food is always excellent especially the chicken rice, and I am always looking forward to fly with it again.

\

Don't you just love satay!

And cod before you arrive and head straight to parties! ...or work!

Thank you for always smiling and making my trip less tiring than it should be and thank you for being a so good to me when I was paralyzed , when the crew bought me loads of chocolate milk during those years when I flew to KL -Manchester so often 7 years ago.

Kindness, integrity and no doubt the best airline in the world.Malaysia Airlines ,I love you.

My 5th time trying to add this,I can't be bothered to write allover again

2011-05-15T09:29:00.006+08:00

The truth is I almost give up writing on this blog.Few times I try to update it,but it failed...just imagine after I loaded my pictures , write with all of my heart and suddenly not only that It had failed to save...but it went off just like that.

I was in Jakarta for food Hotel Indonesia!

why?

2011-05-15T09:14:00.002+08:00

Not that I did not update this...but my attempt to post had failed.Honestly, what is going on?

Click on the red

2011-04-24T21:13:00.000+08:00

My latest entry here since I can't upload pictures on Blogger <<

What happened in Shanghai, stays in Jakarta.

2011-04-06T15:06:00.000+08:00

View from my room at Marriot Courtyard, great hospitality with smiling staffs and attentive GM

Last week I was in Shanghai a place I thought I would just touch and go for work.Instead I met loads of beautiful people I now call friends and I am glad I made it there despite my health issue last week.I am now back on track healthwise.I arrived home 3 days ago and now at the airport's business lounge again heading towards my favourite city.Life is definitely busy and Orved's Soous vide cult is definitely infecting all the Asian Cities and I am glad to be part of this movement that is beyond corporation's fad but genuine bunch of people who are passionate about gastronomy .To my bosses, have a safe trip back home tonight.

at an italian restaurant called Dolce Vita,in Shanghai, highly recommended.

KLM use Plaza lounge for their business and first class passengers, I am not a big fan of Plaza lounge Malaysia, but it's OK

By the time you read this I am already in the sky heading towards the land of soto and gado -gado.I am looking forward for Jakarta's smile and business, surprisingly my friend Tommy will make his cameo at Hard Rock cafe while I am there, let me see if I could grab a burger at dinner while watching him play.Chef saxophonist.I am at this lounge, well not the best business class lounge , but still at bleast I could sit on a comfy couch and get a broadband while having an intellectual discourse with newly made friends.

I saw Boy an old acquaintance just now as in Boy from Projek pistol, he helped me with my big luggage coming out of the train.I met boy like 7 years ago during his BIG band days and it is always nice to see him again with his humility and kindness , this guy is a genuine genius I should have taken a picture but I guess it would be rude to capture my favorite rockstar helping me pulling my luggage at the airport, Boy if you are reading this...thanks so much for helping me you are still the same person I know back then and I am pleased that things turned out well for you ,wife and baby :) update us on your latest project so we can go and watch your show.

This is what I have always dreamed of , my life is at peace now and I am grateful to have my family and a bunch of cool friends surrounding me.

See you next week darling <3

Top 6 Movies

2011-03-06T22:40:00.000+08:00

I write better in Arial compared to Times .After my failed attempt to beauty product review , which I am terrible at apart from loving everything pastel and smells nice.

Please find below another list of Sayangku Azura's favorite movies.
Top 6 list , why 6? because it's a good number.

Calmi Cuori Appasionatti

Let's admit it we love handsome boys in this case he is a very good actor ."Calmi Cuori Appasionatti" or literally translated as "between calm and passion "was mostly shot with Florence as background , the rustic houses, beautiful landscape,the duomo, The beautiful Kelly Chen.I am a girl and after all movies and movie stars are meant to be fantasized about.I want to one day meet Yutaka Takenouchi and thank him for being Junsei Agata in this movie ,I am in love with Italy as well and he and kelly depicted the emotion of being in relaxed , laid back scenic background of Florence so beautifully well.

Favourite scene is when they are both at the peak of the Duomo and the cinematographer decided to use helicopter encircling the dome of the Cathedral .
Thanks to a "former friend" who had borrowed this and not returned it back.You thief!

The Lover

There are some nude scenes in here!that was my first comment ,but for a lover of a period movie I find this love story was beautifully done by the french Director Jean -Jacques Annaud
the prop used were realistic and the poverty of the girl's family was surreal if you really think that they were living "oh so lavishly" at the time in the Indochina region.I won't give anyone a spoiler in this review, you should go and get this DVD , I did and it is in England, I left it there with everything else I owned, because materials are just materials at the end it's all the sincerityy in your heart that matters, just like this movie that I finally learnt that is wasn't all money, nice meals and being taken to nice places that she wanted from him.
Tony Leung Ka Fai who is a very good looking man , better looking in person compared to on screen and Jane march played the role really well,I cried hard when she left , I smile when he first saw her on the Mekong River and I feel slightly disgusted by the forbidden love not the racial differences, but the seriously wrong age GAP.

I was mesmerized by the Mekong River if you ever in Saigon , GO to The top floor of The Majestic hotel and chill out while letting the river just flow with the hustle bustle of the motorcyclee traffic.I will be there again soon for my own personal holiday , just Pho Bo ,myself and hanging out by the Mekong.

The World of Suzie Wong

I read it first in Manila in 2000 at my friend's beautiful penthouse in Mandaluyong and I was dying to watch it's movie.So I came back to KL and head to Low Yat to actually purchased this at Speedy Video.Sadly the DVD is now in England, that's a fact -that most of my good DVD's are borrowed or taken from me. William Holden is a good man in this movie in the book he was working here in Malaya and later moved to Hong Kong , he loves to paint and looking at doing it full time end up in this budget motel as we call it nowadays and there is like a "hookering up joint" downstairs a.k.a the bar,so he falls in love with this beautiful prostitute making us women feel that cute face and hot body is all we need ,there are many good men out there who would have a serious relationship with prostitutes they are also human, Anyway,not telling you much on the storyline , I just adore the background and it is really odd why I am liking this, maybe because i like the name Robert Lomax?whatever it is , the duk ling and the old hong Kong makes this movie worthwhile to watch.

I

Enthiran -The ROBOT I truly adore rajnikanth from a humble beginning as a bus conductor to one of the highest paid actor in India .I adore you and respect you Rajnikant a.k.a Superstar!

Enthiran is said to be the most expensive movie in India, correct me If I state it wrong.

This is what would happen once we all become obsessed with inventing technology to the extent of playing god. this movie revolves around A Robotic professor Dr vaseegaran who actually invented an android robot called Chatti babu fondly named by Doctor's mother.

Let's see how Chatti Babu who is later given an emotion by the Professor falls in love with the Dr vaseegaran's fiance' played by the beautiful Aiswarya rai.

In the mood for Love

Tony Leung, Wong Kar Wai and Maggie Cheung epitomised the era's elegance in this movie that I found rather confusing at first but learnt to accept and understand it as I watched it over and over again, I only seen this 5 times, so I am pretty smart eh.

The English Patient

I just love the scene when they were kissing in the well hanging to the rope , there is something romantic about it.

We all know this movie , and we all know why we love it Ralph Fiennes " he is so fine", this won 9 oscars.

I am getting sleepy by now, goodnight.Long week ahead awaits me.

First attempt to beauty product review.

2011-03-05T00:35:00.002+08:00

I cannot say that last week was the best week of my life,In fact it was not so good.But yet i have learnt that I am resillient to so many things .Motivational books I read and my skill in making decisions during chronic hours is something I should be proud of.I shooud need to tame this blog from a wild one to a calm one, because issues and people that are not even worth to be called worthless worms are not worth to talk about ... unworthy these.Anyway, here's my picked of essential potions, I had never done any cosmetic review so my first shot you can see below.
I will be leaving on a jet plane again soon and as usual when it comes to travelling there are many things I need to sort out like dry cleaning , getting cosmetics, lotions and potions done.
This are among my fav thing to take on my travel pouch at the moment.

My favorite lip balm just because it is sweet scented , it is not available in Malaysia the last time I got it is when I was in Seoul.

And then here come Elizabeth Arden mosturiser /skin protectant called 8 hour cream i totally swear by this One for all potion that you can use for dry elbows, the oftenly dried up lips while you are in the flight cabin and it smells nice .every girl need this for lips, dry spots , cuticles even when my hair is out of control I would just dab some of these.

Sexy mother pucker from soap and glory
I have been using this since it was first launched in England and I truly feel that this shade is the best for me.mosturise and make your lips plumper" now you see why i am always pouting.

Glitter, every girl need some glitter in her life and this one too is my favorite , favorite item.this of course, need to be checked in.

I don't use any powder but honestly, we all need to check on the mirror and when you arrive at a destination after hours of flying or driving you need this to check on your eyes.Thats it.But since my beloved friend works at MAC i often go and buy stuff from him and he gave me very good advices, I love this brand for it's reasonable price and colours.

I love the miracle essence but the thing is I hardly stick to a regime, I do wear this on and off but I must say this is a very good product and I try and will try to use it more often like daily ...twice daily.

for skin thirst during winter...try this before going to bed ,before going out
actually,I just love to tickle my face with the spray

nothing like an individually wrapped chocolate throughout your journey when you are bored and can't be bothered to watch any movie nor play any video games,it provides sugar , releases all the good hormones so won't get grumpy

why am I getting into food here?

Oh... it's supper time

goodnight people!

Do you reallly think I am capable of giving a beauty product review?
Yeh... not really for me

2011-02-19T01:00:00.001+08:00

Singapore, running from the mediocre dinner

2011-02-19T00:59:00.002+08:00

A short post, finally.

2011-02-17T13:30:00.000+08:00

As I grow older I have learnt certain art of loving myself, with such hectic schedule and endless hours in front of this computer, finally what I heard happened to other people is happening to me.I ain't got time!
It is silly for me to say I have no time when time management skill is definitely my forte,, but this is the situation ! work and work and further reading after work a month ago I was so tired I don't know what I was reading despite reading non stop.I got lost not knowing where and how to remember things, it is like my processor is not working.

When a machine is not working forst thing you would check is it's body parts, mine is ok although I fell on my knee during my tap dance routine 4 weeks ago, it is better now,my fuel? a.k.a food?

BINGO!

Low carbohydrate intake and not eating passionately...

It has been a while that I sit down and take a proper egg breakfast , eggs last longer and I won't get hungry so quick after eating them but I must say coffee satisfy me the most in the morning.This has got to change.

Eat your breakfast.

Run baby run!

Not that I am lazy , I am not so much of an outdoor person in the morning and in the evening when i should exercise most...KL is often poured with rain.

Can't run in the rain!

For now, I am going back to work.

?

2011-02-17T08:26:00.000+08:00

I got up this morning just to find... some post had been missing , some pictures can't be posted !Argghhhh!

2011-02-17T08:18:00.000+08:00

I rally hate eating in the morning , I rather skip breakfast and watch the world news while sitting on the couch, but lately we hardly have good news on the world news.I feel like it is a hard task to raise a kid in this world nowadays as we are all exposed with the elements of video games and war.

Yesterday I went for dinner with my family as usual , there was a car with the driver a guy driving while beating a lady next to him , you can always solve your domestic issues at home but in front of your kid sitting at the back of your car, and the best bit is he reversed his car on an open road and almost hit my us walking to get our car and he almost knocked some uncle walking at behinds us.

#reason to hate going to neighbourhood restaurant even when it is not my neighbourhood, I feel sorry for those who had invested a lot buying, investing their time and money ovver the area.
It is always best to refer to the local council of what will be built within your dream home befor you made that purchase.With cars driving fast to the market, hypermarket, bank or nasi kandar restaurant , it will be noisy and really, what kind of live you plan to give your children?

If I were a 4 year old kid, I would be bored living in a flat like this but am a grown woman in the hotel room... i got paperworks to finish

Shanghai noon, Tokyo moon.

2011-02-09T15:18:00.000+08:00

Life is definitely busy, busy for me at the moment.I have tonnes of projects with Orved and we will be flying to the cities as per mentioned on the title , despite all being in order and we are all excited our team Orved are constantly running around making sure everyone's food are safe!

I am looking forward to be flying again soon and perhaps come back and head for a quick holiday in early May.Time passed by really quickly and little that I realized that my wound is healed and I am like a robot being given a new motor.

This was captured when I was in Shanghai's Park Hyatt while waiting for my room to be ready and I am looking forward to Shanghai and seeing friends in my industry again

New menus are on the line up and new experiments are constantly being made.This is meant to be I was meant to sous vide. :)

Home concept's Valentine's exclusive, get a copy today!

2011-02-01T02:42:00.003+08:00

INTRO
As much as I had done few food styling jobs here and there which seems like a hobby to me, very rewarding hobby I must say.I am very pleased knowing that theya re fellow Malaysians who take artistic food job seriously and not just snap , snap.. thats it.That is injustice for chefs, who worked hard to prepare one dish.To be fair, this team is a wonderful team and I am looking forward to see them again even for just kopi tarik session, thank you so much for these nice pictures that resembles my feelings at the time and for editing my potrait- I am sure they were loads of work done to it !.

'Do you want love? or you want fame ? are you in the game?" thats the song that i listened to when I was doing these menus that you can do at home.

What is love to you? I don't know but this is what Love is to me depicted in 6 pages of Home concept magazine february edition(promo) :) I can honestly say...i love it!!!!! :)))

At Peace,feeling like the richest person on earth (even when you have 20 ringgit in your purse ) and purity and sweetness THAT is LOVE to me.
And love would never make you feel like you need to change.You could be fat,have big face, have big arms,Love would never make you feel like you are anything below fantastic.

Thank you Aziz Draim the editor , I did this wholeheartedly as usual and concluded my principles stand throughout the photoshoot that the purity of anyone's love should only be poured on a very special person and not just anyone just for the sake of having someone.For anyone who able to give so much love can never be poor and this special person is someone that is written with cloud on the infinite blue sky by the divine mightier power.

Love is a strong word, love of you and me are written in the sky.

cover of Home concept February

Rose scented pure vanilla panna cotta that could fill your life with love

some female Chef in a black dress (she didn't know how to pose really)

My pink floating bubble by Chef Azura Othman

I live in this bubble
Come stay with me
It is pink , it is cozy
It will make you happy,

I am safe,Shielded
Just like in my lover's cuddle
Similarly this is the feeling
of being embraced in mum's hand cradle

I live in this bubble;
Wish you were here with me
Alone, we can do what's necessary,

I live in this bubble, my soul is free;
No evil whispers
Slut seduction;
To disturb, tear you and me;

I live in this bubble
But I set you free
If it's meant to be...
You will come back for me.

copyrighted 2011

Again

2011-01-31T16:08:00.000+08:00

i would so love to update this with some pictures, but unfortunately I failed to do so.I need to play around with it over the weekend as I have tonnes of pictures to load with my EOS550D.

Azura on facebook

2011-01-02T02:48:00.000+08:00

LIKE me here even if you don't

I try to add pictures but it failed again - I dont know who to get upset with

2011-01-02T00:49:00.000+08:00

The smart girl’s guide to first career in the kitchen.

ThingS I would tell my daughter if she ever wants to cook too.

First and foremost, get ready for an exciting journey if you can do this for 5 years and not quit , you know you can overcome just about anything in your life.

Introduction : If you are working in a hotel environment you will get a female locker and changing room treat your locker with care, get a lock and bring few plastic bags for you to bring home your dirty socks or towels. Bring a small “female kit” e.g cologne ,shampoo, your favorite gloss you know just in case you got to be asked out after work.If you have a split time , bring along a good book to read or ehem.. an air pillow if your hotel does not provide a bunker.

Survival Kit:

1.A small Note book and pen.bring 3 pens in case one ran out of ink,put them in a tiny bag that you can take to the kitchen, in that small bag it is pretty wise to take some band aid/hansaplast as well, most of the kitchen often ran out of band aid.Note book is not for you to write bullshit, it is for you to take note of what will be your regular routine and recipes and mise en place in the kitchen.I usually get a newbie to come back the next day if they came into the kitchen empty handed, but that is nothing compared to a friend of mine who made an unprepared newbie to clean all the 8 fridges and it’s inserts and re wrapping all the messy things in the freezers.I won’t do that just simply because I have a heart and I don’t like being asked every 5 seconds on what and where by the a new and clueless fella.

2.A thick face. First day is more of an unpleasant day ,you get the coldness not from the big boss but from the seniors. Thankfully, I never encountered this because my seniors are mostly awesome and we are still are friends till now. So grab a section leader where you are assigned to and ask him your duty tomorrow and weeks to come either it’s slicing pineapple, cleaning the chilled drawers, picking herbs.Write them down because we know you will forget them , we’re only human

3.Paring knife and peeler.Get a cheap good one you can get from Victorinox if you get those pricey ones you might end up losing them, misplacing them or having people steal them.Besides ,some might think the new kid is a showoff. Peeler is the number one missing item in almost any kitchen and also the most sought item ,so handle with great affection and care.If possible hide them under your chilled drawer’s inserts orkeep it in a plastic container and keep it in the freezer behind that ice cream tub.If you have your own that would make you a popular subject all of the boys will know your name in mere 2 hours of you reporting on duty because they will be borrowing the peeler from you.So it’s always wise to have one.

Make a sleeve for the knife in case it does not come with one,this could be done by getting a piece of cardboard and folding them like a glove to the knife, this will make putting them into your side sleeve’s pocket safer.Note:in case some jerk- this could also be a senior are joking about the danger of putting your knife in your chest pocket ,teasing you about having breast and the knife might stab your breast and he will do it with a very randy disgusting smile- just ignore and do not entertain or respond. He will one day learn to call you “chef”,…as in -Yes Chef!

Later as you progress and make more money, buy some nice chef’s knife you probably have that already coming from culinary school( but it could also be nice to have one in pink handle) japanese filleting knife, cooking rings, thermometer , mini tongs/ tweezers etc we are girls we like funky gadgets.

4.Work with all of your heart , never ever give up.If your julienne aren’t too pretty ,go back and practice.Always go and browse on cooking sections at the bookstore.Peep on those professional books from Cordon Bleu or CIA, get an ingredients encyclopedia.So no one can lie to you always be hungry for knowledge and mastering certain techniques, and when you are good at something remember to teach others because you will learn more things when you share even when people are stingy with their knowledge you are not as low as them.

Heartbroken-the way to deal with it.

If you failed at something like when your sous chef told you that you are the worst biscotti cutter in the world, when your team mates accused you of failing their timing estimations after you tried so hard and you can’t handle it no more, excuse yourself to the ladies put the toilet cover down , sit on it get plenty of tissue papers beforehand and cry your heart out. make sure you go and wash your face after that.Come out from the bathroom and say … “WTF” or “I am a hero”.My former Chef who is a very good Australian guy and a very wise man who is now in Japan taught me to understand emotional issues in younger chefs ,this differentiate our modern operation to those in the past centuries, this is when Chefs like you and me comes with excellent education background.One fine evening after a kebab meal speaking to my chef friend who is also a frequent commentator here, and this guy is a Finance Major from UK’s top 5 uni who dropped his Dow Jones for Pate and Pasta I learnt that…

When we cried because of our work ,They said “don’t take it personal…” but, it’s impossible to not take cheffing personal because you really want this. You really want to cook and when you failed to impress yourself,you get frustrated.This work unlike some other jobs, is personal.

Chefs in love

5.One day here comes another guy in the kitchen and now you both might start to look at each other differently.I think it’s ok to get involve with a waitress for male chefs and some of my Female counterparts got involved romantically with Floor staffs. Falling in love or just having lust towards your kitchen mate is fine BUT one of these element either PERSONAL or WORK has to drop.

Either one of you get out and work elsewhere or drop the romance.It’s not gonna work out.What if your boyfriend didn’t do his Mise en place? What if the big boss shouted at your boyfriend in front of you? are going to gang up against the big boss? What if you CDP hates your man and thinks you’re cool? Are you going to have a drink with the CDP and ditch your man?Most of these case scenario end up with both marrying each other and one stops cooking , maybe one or two worked out.But it’s best not to work at the same place.

6.Be nice, it is a tough world living in the box, and in this box at times we are shouted by that wanker the banquet supervisor for sending our currypuffs late because the service lift came from the past century , sometimes we are being called as oi! , oi !by some supplier.But draw out a fine line and know which part is a joke that we can handle and which one deserves a firm handshake and look into the eyes like the boys from the hood in South America did.The rude boi” through my personal experience would understand and starts to give you some respect.But in any case of shouting and name calling between service or crazy times, please forget those after work is over and give each other a good firm handshake before you go home. Thanks for a great evening gentleman, we are team ace BUT sometimes they went overboard during service time especially when it’s busy … then after service is over sort the issue out and say .Don’t you do that again” firl, direct to the eyes not sarcastic, not childish just Serious- “I -won’t -tolerate -that –next- time” look with a half smile would make them understand, if you can’t pull the look , just talk to the big boss.

7.if you think this is a job that can make you Cat Cora overnight, wealthy as Martha Stewart or as glamourous as Nigella in 2 months.You are in the wrong job.When you’re a small potato you earn a quarter of what your other friends are doing. I almost had a heart attack when I know my friend a telemarketer at the time was making 5 times more than I did and she offered me a job too, but did I took the offer? No…I was peeling potatoes at midnight for 300 pax.But now I am glad, I have this focus and niche and the field is wide open for me and you to explore. You have to really want this>learn constantly and refresh yourself.

To be or not to be a girl

8.Complaining is alright but constant complaining is a disease that we call nagging.Nag about work , nag about family and colleague. It’s boring , it’s annoying.if you want to complain about anyone’s behaviour or work issue , go to your superior tell him about the problems you are having.You are a girl but in the kitchen you are required to do equally if not more than your male colleague but that does not mean you need to lift heavy weights that could hurt your back , be smart if things are too heavy or to high for you to operate alone get hep.Always ask questions,I never thought I could shuck 200 oysters per session so neatly if Sunny my colleague didn’t teach me the right trick once I get hold of it I practiced and try to enjoy it.Somehow, I always enjoy holding expensive ingredients 

9.Health.Take care of your own health.I lost that once and being paralyzed on a wheelchair is one of the saddest thing that ever happened in my entire life.it’s ok to head straight to parties after grueling time at work and had 2 hours of nap time, but don’t make it a regular habit.Eat healthy , go for run when needed and skip off the unhealthy habit.Keep a healthy weight to make your work easier,spoil yourself during your offday by getting extra sleep.

*.And the last bit is,

Don’t let anyone ruin your dreams and tell you that you can’t achieve something.In this world many people would want to tell you awful things about yourself, chin up>only you love yourself, only you know what you want and know the ways to get what you want.people who knows these are responsible for themselves in good and challenging times.

When you have that piece of cake and at the top , don’t you ever look down on others or bully them.This world is round and revolves so quick you never know when is your down time.

“Never say things like I have no time”is shows your lack of time management skill, you can control your time , we are girls , we juggle good, so juggle on…

pray, work hard , play hard, read hard but still take care of your worthy self , your family , your friends and …your precious love life. YOU ARE AN AMAZING GIRL WITH AN AMAZING LIFE .dON'T YOU EVER FORGET THAT MY PRECIOUS XOXO

2011

2010-12-31T00:40:00.000+08:00

I will be out and about tomorrow for the eve of 2011.So let me just wish you in advance HAPPY NEW YEAR may our 2011 be better than 2010.Wonder what will you be doing tomorrow night

I had tried loading more pictures from my recent weekend BUT it failed and :((( only this one managed to be loaded

If the traffic permit I will be at my friend's exquisite villa surrounded by big trees, hanging monkeys by the trees and lush moroccan inspired interior having dinner and watching the fireworks from TV

I think I am doing pretty alright this year,I know at times work took over my parties and crazy afternoon teas/brunches , I think everyone understand that being a Corporate Chef at Orved and taking care of many expect of the Culinary and Operation, I got the chance to move about the entire Asia and make whole load of friends while at it, name it friends in Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok , Manila,Jakarta and Hong Kong I think they are all as awesome as my friends down here in Kuala Lumpur.

I am back in Kuala Lumpur after few days of being out and I had cancelled my trip to London after purchasing the ticket due to the weather that I don't really want to be in.This holiday is definitely dedicated to learning new language, reading the books that I had bought and yet finished to read and get an optimum sleep.But we never know I might be taking a flight to an island anywhere just chilling but for now I need to settle on few papers and phonecalls that I occassionally got involving work.(For business associates , you know I live to work therefore it's ok If you want to email me, it's not a complain at all I love my job) also had the chance to do a bit of food photography and my food will be featured in one of the respected design magazine in South East Asia.It was a pleasure to have worked with among the most creative people who thinks and transformed my imagination into physical visual feast.I will let you guys know where to get this magazine in late January.

I wish I could write down a recap of all the golden moments I had this year , but there are just too much !All the work , parties, flying in and out, poshest of food and drinks.Thank You , thank You , Thank You 2010.

It is my year and I am blessed to have found, tasted, experienced all these joy.I have the best Mother, Brother,Employer, Friends and business associates.I love all of you guys.

‎2010 I had broken some rules, forgiven some people quickly, kissed slowly, love truly, laughed uncontrollably and I never regret anything that had made me smile , now what's left is just the chicken dance to celebrate! trials =triumph ♥

Ugly

2010-12-27T00:49:00.002+08:00

This is dedicated to women who had suffered from domestic abuse, i had never been abused like physically but after reading the news on how someone that you love could betray your trust like such...I am disgusted that some male took love so pure for granted.
For women out there who suffers in silence ...get out of it. 15999 is the number to call, talian Nur is a hotline from The women's ministry and is dedicated for us.There is always help out there...you deserve the best and not this.

Ugly is how you make me feel

Ugly it can’t be concealed

When you stabbed me with your sword made of your sharp words,

Ugly eternally is the only image of me.

Love is the word you said

Love is the lie your preach

What does love did to me

Hurt , pain, deceived and agony

You destroyed me into pieces

You cut me merciless

I won’t die of this pain

But forever cradled by sorrow and vain

Azura Othman
Boxing Day 2010

Copyrighted 2010

Extract of 2011.

2010-12-16T06:20:00.000+08:00

Bangkok at one of the most beautiful hotel!i love this place :)

Tugu monas Jakarta on my way to a meeting

Shanghai from The Park Hyatt

I love that house you know which one.it makes me smile on every en route to my drycleaner

Dinner before a gala event ...YES eat before going to an eating event!, somewhere...i forgot

Where I spent most of my time lately, business lounge at the airport allover Asia,in this one in Kuala Lumpur, they kinda know my name and my favorite drink.

I remember the feeling at this time when my flight was delayed and having a conversation with one coughing gentleman at the business lounge,thanks for giving me the cough.

Seoul with my new leather jacket

Seoul, City Hall

My brother and I are among the last bunch of people to be eating there last before Societe shut for good earlier this year.I remember growing up with this cafe had my first date there.Its all for the best

View from The New Asia Bar in Singapore

they gave me marzipan flower and I gave them ... friendship :) at Food hotel Asia Singapore

Lunch with my friend at the tower

what I enjoy most about being with Orved is I justify what to cook at my demos and I have all the fun during my talk time as I love to talk...can't you tell?

Seoul... again and again 4 visits in a year ? :) lucky me

My new baby eos 550D

My second interview in a year for BFM

My room at The posh Crown where every morning I can see this hot air balloon from my room :)

Melbourne is no doubt my fav place on earth

From my room at The Ritz Carlton in Seoul
while brushing my teeth-we women multitasking good :)

My first time on a tramp :)

With a fellow female chef from New York during the Italian Chef's summit in Hong Kong

The sunrise in Taichung,Taiwan from my room

Being invited to be a speaker at Taylor's Uni in this picture are all the speakers and the host is in green and all black :) Thank you

The huge campus of Taylor's University

The year of Azura.

2010 is a year of trials, struggles and winning the tests.

I feel like I had been bruised and recovered by 2010, a tiring year and yet a year that teaches me about

LOVE
Love and fear for god

The people you should love are your parents, siblings,yourself and then come extended family .

Be there when your parents are ill, be there for your siblings after all blood is thicker than water and “we are family”.

The friends might betray you , copy the way you dress or your hairstyle so select your friends and keep those that are sweet and love you close to your heart.

Boyfriends don’t last forever so when it’s over don’t waste your tears, walk straight , chin up and if you think it’s too melancholic shut your eyes but don’t cry…he is not worth it and you are a beautiful person that worth more than a piece of dirt like him.

WORK

Love your work, your vocation should be your work or your love should be your work.I only after many years of living learnt that I love being a chef, I can’t believe that I have such a great job people see my dishes while smiling and wanting to explore the taste and surprise their palates.

Work politics should be tackled with grace and usually if you are the backstabbing drama queen who looks angelic in front of your boss and the vampire within your colleague and always scheming …I would suggest this kind of person to be ignored 100% god will punish them, if not she or he will be punished by their own stupidity.

Work and pleasure

Sometimes it makes me feel nauseous that people are trying to suck up bad to the extent of sending official emails with kisses I think that’s pathetic.

Getting drunk at your company’s expenses is too much,With the trust given we should enjoy it with care not tweak the last flower off till there are none.

Falling in love with someone at work is fine as long as one of you leave, for integrity and for the additional drama that you will cause.That is why I never do work romance and I don’t think I can do that in these near future.

Food

Every women should learn and try to at least cook a decent meal

Women who cook and wash aren’t low class, they are just pure feminine to my eyes.

I think my weakness are splurging on food which I should not, really.

Positive mind

Is something I embraced this few years, few years ago my life was a rollercoaster ride and the turmoil was too much for me to bear.I realized that it is easier to be positive when you have financial stability

And to have a financial stability you have to have a positive mind.Unfortunately or fortunately these two element works together.There were times when I thought it was the end of the road then I realized that it is not … why? Because I had a positive faith and my intention is good.I try hard not to nag and complain and I think it’s been years that I stop whining seriously it is killing you own energy and those of people around you, it can be a struggle living in negativity.

We are all punchbags

You are stronger than you think you are, so many times we were brought down, being told that we are short fat ,ugly,talkative, this and that even worst there are times when you ‘ve been betrayed by love of people that you trust and you wish you die at that very moment of time, But you don’t die of what people did to you chocolate will save you, eat them and go for a quick run or dance to Jason Derulo

We are indeed... very strong and resilient.

Did I owe you some pictures?

2010-12-07T23:14:00.000+08:00

my chocolate dessert :)

For Waliz

2010-12-07T17:09:00.000+08:00

Is saddened by the loss of Waliz's father,

Al Fatihah

I know how much loosing someone means

I am so sorry I know I cant take your pain away
but I pray for your strenght to go through this difficult time.
I am with you my beloved Waliz.

Dedicated to My mum, Helen , Babu roti aiskrim... and for the little kid in all of us - Stay the same

2010-12-04T23:00:00.000+08:00

What is food to you? , to me? , to us?

As our personal socioeconomic status rises , we tend to take food as pleasure.

I remember those winter evenings in The UK when what I really fancy was a night at some nice expensive restaurant down Knightsbridge maybe some Moroccan stew, or Lobster bouillabaisse but end up at my friend's kebab place having greasy chips and ketchup.

Time has certainly changed and nowadays i don't have to eat anything because I need to eat it, I choose my food even at the hungriest I know what i want to eat.
Just like on the relationship department...it's not really easy to win a woman's heart and we women...don't take any second best ...err, maybe.

But the question of socioeconomic status and personal preference is really a question that is playing with my mind especially after knowing that my grandfather is still having the same breakfast of kopi o literally translated as Black coffee with roti pat segi or known as cream crackers.this is the man who have gone through several level of economic status going uphill since 1929 (sorry tok wan, for revealing your real age).

I take food insanely serious, I have a food diary and sometimes I kiss the pictures of some food in my computer,they are times when I munch some delicious chocolate cookies I even make a vow that I would marry that cookie if it were a living form.That is a form of pleasure...the excitement of going to my favourite restaurant is the same like meeting your boyfriend or girlfriend for a date...(I know, someone in the Uk thinks I need help for my infatuation with cooking, table setting , entertaining and eating and yes... washing them plates too, only in my house of course... because my plates are pretty )

How pleasureable?it is measured with our greed and wants.

For some of my friends-chefs who take their jobs as serious they tend to eat less then me, and spent less too.
It is strange to me because for me food is more than fuel it is the entire experience from view , touch and tantalise to my palate.

The explosion of taste , the feeling of being on something lush -like I mentioned to my friend just now...everytime I eat my own dish even the one that is incredibly simple- chocolate pudding, it is equal to the sensation of buying new designer's shoes, sleeping on a bed of roses or even better 100 ringgit notes or buying a new perfume.

These are my fuel- things that inspires me to work harder ...

I work hard for my tongue, I love to taste with my tongue teaching it to be more adventurous and fun- for some people it could be watching movies,driving the fastest car ,reading the greatest writers work,spending money on a night out, buying speedboats...for me it's the palate of my tongue, the pure pleasure of eating- either celebrating nothing with friends while talking about nothingness over tapas, dim sum , long table,posh cakes at the posh chocolate shop or simply my own homemade chicken soup in front of the tele watching my favorite sitcom...these are the moment when I feel like nothing can harm me I am being protected in an imaginary pink bubble , I feel totally relaxed and happy being in that bubble of extreme happiness.

Then, in the middle of writing this, I learnt that the word Extreme happiness is the key.

The changes of our economic background, if yesterday we were a busboy and many years after an F&B manager, a chambering student and now a top lawyer...one thing never or hardly change is our favourite food , little things name it cheap or expensive as I learnt the layer of our palate , I learnt the biggest thing, we are different but we are the same, what you taste as good might not be good to me... and hell , i can't be having the same breakfast everyday like my grandfather.But one fact that is true the prices does not matter. I am a food snob that would never think twice about going back for my toast and kopi at helen's shop or even her mee soup where I was given the full authority by my late father to order my own food, I felt like an adult at the time! that sensation of munching on my kaya toast or slurping my noodles soup is the sweetest experience ever, the look of my proud fatherof his little girl with a perfect table manner is still fresh in my mind and no chocolate cake ,souffles,caviar or even my favourite lobster up until today could beat that sweetness of time -our memory of what is good and what not.Expensive and sophisticated name and design of a dish or restaurant means nothing if it is tasteless, at the end we still go to a restaurant to be satisfied.Our hunger and thirst for nourishment of joy need to be fulfilled.FULL STOP

Maybe we should make a point to learn our childhood favourite dishes and eat it where we feel like it.it would bring more humility into us that in this material world...not everything comes in a large price tag, experience of eating our favorite food from our kitchen , made with our hands are indeed very cheap compared to thejoy it would bring to us.Don't forget to close your eyes while munching it while thinking of your favourite childhood memory.For rich or for poor...Food for all :)

Live, laugh , learn, love... cook and be merry...

CAO

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Seminar at Taylor's Uni

2010-11-27T15:03:00.000+08:00

we all love chawanmushi

few hours before catching an hour sleep and head for the airport at bloody 4 a.m

then as soon as I got home, I was all prepared for taylor's U workshop

My favourite people, Thank You Puan Siti and Chef Sharizan for inviting me :)

48 hours... Taichung

2010-11-27T14:41:00.000+08:00

catch me in the evening news... all for the good reason of course.

the gentleman and their bags of chocolate and butter

My International Sales Director borrowed some jacket and helped in the kitchen.

The culinary student that participated in the seminar

I stayed at Howard prince hotel and living my life one insanity at a time,this is among the most hectic I had ever done but the result of the demo was good.I am pretty much happy being in Taiwan's third largest city

to let people know that sous vide is the way to go.

Finally I get to upload some pictures!! yee haa!

UPSET

2010-11-18T16:39:00.001+08:00

My pictures failed to be uploaded, I don't know what is the issue but I am definitely UPSET

In Tapas we trust

2010-11-18T16:31:00.005+08:00

I am a bloody fussy eater, and I seldom give any food recommendations, therefore mine is never bias and i never get paid for any review made.

all of you are amazing!

only two pictures for now because the blogger computer server said no to the rest of the gorgeous pictures... so, screw you computer server!

This place belongs to a friend in Hong kong and don't judge a book by it's cover , usually when you grab a quick bite at your local supermarket, it is always ugly.the other day I had a butter bread a soft bun filled with ridicilous amount of butter cream at Supermarket X , so this experience being taken to A Tapas bar in a posh supermarket, is something I found a bit..hmmm how should I say scary? no!! I trust this guy , as a veteran in the industry himself will serve us magical food.

But my past experience(you know, just like my relationship with the opposite gender)I am always in doubt and fear to be in such a circle of commitment, and this time my commitment to sit on a red bar stool for hours with the presence of my big bosses without saying... "I hate this place"!.

Greg the friend proved me wrong, I enjoy the entire experience, food, companion and the moment of just being THERE.

I would like to say Thanks to Greg and his partner for awesome food.My favorite has got to be the Seafood Soup, Gazpacho , The skewered chicken that is so, so delicious, the meatballs (made of wagyu?) andtortilla espanola.People of all walks of life pop by this place where your server are more than happy to suggest you food , where ladies , boys, families and those cute loving couples pop by to share bites, talk and giggle, even with people on the next seat.

if you are ever in Hong Kong, pop by the place with bright red bar stools you won't miss it at the entrance of Great Food Hall at The Pacific Place.Estudio Iberico is where you should be.

To be continued...

2010-11-14T10:35:00.000+08:00

Of my first few days in Hong Kong.No , not a holiday this is my life as an Orved chef.More pictures to come after my Sunday brunch. , see you later :)

Seoul searcher

2010-11-14T09:40:00.001+08:00

My days in Seoul past by so fast, I said to my mum that i won't be happy to go back there.I mfind that Seoul is always busy and people are always running, the traffic are like snails always caught in a congestion.

but having friends like Genie and Paolo makes it all alright .Thank you seoul1 you always surprise me with your fun people and crazy traffic.I enjoyed my work in Seoul very much.

I recommend:Ritz Carlton and eating at Paolo De Maria, while there say hi to his beautiful Mrs Genie-my friend.

Cover

2010-10-21T00:28:00.000+08:00

centre spread

2010-10-21T00:26:00.000+08:00

Going undercover

2010-10-20T21:03:00.001+08:00

I am on the cover of Infiniti Kosmo < click here for more news

Living my life compressed, squeezed ,under pressure.

2010-10-20T20:53:00.000+08:00

I woul like to say Thank you to Michelyn, Tan Bee Hong , Equatorial Kuala Lumpur for being my sponsor and Orved partner Akyu Malaysia, You guys are the best :)

Your daily news

2010-10-07T23:29:00.001+08:00

Melbourne ...I 'm in love

2010-10-04T03:09:00.000+08:00

I wish at times I can let a special someone know how much I love that person.It's been a while and the feeling is still here.
After you go will you return to love me?
But for now my love is only for this pressure Sous Vide has taken all of me.

This note is written when I am in cold Melbourne while missing my family and you , so dearly.

The scandalous... Vacuum Affair

2010-10-03T12:24:00.000+08:00

chef Mak Thong ,my mentor .The first guy who hired me as a commis.

It's been a while, yep someone have been very busy with work.I feel very honoured to be sponsored by Equatorial Hotel my home grown powerful brand name for luxury hotel chains.I would like to once again express my gratitude for supporting my dream to go global , A Malaysian chef and a dreamer.We are in sync to go global and I am glad to be associated with Orved and Equatorial two powerful brands that have so much faith in me.

I am looking forward for more cooking event that's to come .I will be all over Asia within weeks and won't be at home for 3 weeks , I have to go and sort many things out before I go.I also made few purchases such as a new boots that I recently had splurged on,good splurge that is.
Thank you everyone who have supported me all these while.

Life is good and you are awesome.

Without a word we understand

2010-09-24T01:18:00.000+08:00

slow

2010-09-22T22:02:00.002+08:00

I remember my promise to you... but my photos failed to be loaded, I am on my fifth attempt now.

Smitten by Melbourne

2010-09-21T15:17:00.001+08:00

my friend Jeff who flew in for me , nobu and the show

waking up everyday to this? I am blessed

John who popped by to give me many things from his olive growth, the pickled cherry was beautiful and I finished it in my room.

at work cocktail do , where everyone was happy :)

chicken sous vide -you get the softest texture- my guarantee

When I was in Melbourne.....

This is the city I have longed to be, Since I was 17 the picture of restaurants and the hype of Melbourne was always in my fantasy...fantasize no more, here I come Melbourne for once in my life I feel like I am in sync with the place, I was sent to carry on orved’s mission to promote sous vide in Australia.orved’s dealer in Australia Mr Alan is a very kind man and also a fellow foodie who enjoy splendid things in life.

Few of my old friends flew in just for me and Jeff who is one of my supporter and my best friend came by to check out the show but ended up impressed with sashimi at Nobu! Yes, we all had a great time at nobu We are still talking about it ,Melbourne really questions my ability as a chef .Simplicity of the dishes the cleanliness of the taste on my palate is something I cannot describe with words

I will post more pictures of Melbourne food scene and an award winning press club... in the next post.The barramundi , lamb and rose dessert that would melt your heart so, hang in there for next post , to be precise tomorrow evening Malaysia time.

Pictures taken with my new toy!

2010-09-09T20:40:00.001+08:00

MY NEW CAMERA!

Selamat Hari Raya!

2010-09-05T16:32:00.001+08:00

My ramadhan have been great so far , oh who am I kidding here,there is one hiccups of ramadhan this year... my mum was hospitalised recently and it was not pleasant , everyday I was at the hospital on a very uncomfortable single sofabed that I had to pay etxra for opening them into a bed ,I thought of what the future holds.But now that i am on the tomorrow that i was worrying about today I guess I am ok.As usual I am like a drama magnet, i was not happy at all about the private hospital that treated my mum nevertheless , I would like to say thanks to Dr Kumar , Dr Yazid and Datuk Dr Ryan who are the good doctors for the rest sorry lah... I feel that no matter how straight up bitchy , bossy a person is, if you are a doctor a respectable , noble career, you should leave such mentality at home and be proffessional at what you do , I mean straight up - how can you claim yourself to be a good doctor a specialist if you can even diagnose my mum right and yet did hundres of test , I honestly felt like I was being kidnapped and justneed to pay my ransom at the time!Mom is back on track with her health now! my mum rocks , she is a strong woman raising me and brother on her own and she derserves all the happiness in this world.

view from the ward

reserved

Anyway,Doctor KK Ho my rheumy once again prove that He is a genius , how can this country live without a doctor like him a goood person who is respected and looked up to.I love you Dr KK and I will always pray for your happiness and health with your family.

My ramadhan is filled with break fast buffer non stop , I eat good food everynight and I didn't go to the gym for quite some times now...so I guess you could imagine how I feel... guilt to the max!but yer I do workout at home with my pilates video,For those who expect me to be really chubby after ramadhan , sorry to dissapoint you

buffet is awesome!

Apart from that , it's all great ...On my birthday Marion 's team from Paris came down to KL and we all went for steamboat, it was great ! this was on top of the party held 2 weeks ago (yes I had my party earlier to respect this holy month)I heard many tings happened after the party and I am glad :)I would also like to say thanks to those who had sent me presents and cards, That's very kind of you guys and let's go for dinner once I am back from down under

Friends through good and bad times

Not many pictures to put down here lately I am, not too happy with the performance of my Olympus compact camera lately , it's been playing up for a while someone must have dropped them or something.I might as well get a new Canon DSLR which I surveyed and fancy , so look out world for my new toy.

On the business front , my new fashion line will come up , I delayed the launching because I had been very busy , when i am cheffing I gave 100% and not worry about anything, somehow i take my job seriously , it is my soul and my creations using sous vide is always challenging ,I am always racing trying new things in my head.

wearing my own designed top... :)

I am writing this while making my preparation to fly soon to Australia, a place I have always wanted to be.I am off to change some money now and if i don't speak to you soon , this is my religion to ask for forgiveness and being forgiven on the Eid day, the cleansing of heart and soul, for the lovers people who adores me when I am good or bad,I love you too .

Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir Batin

And the truth is...

2010-08-14T20:27:00.001+08:00

The truth is , I am under the weather at the moment and it falls on my August holiday :(
While at it, I am also very commited to my job.I simply am in love with what I am doing right now.
The recipes, the calls, the researches, These are all playing in my head despite being urge by my big boss to stay quite and relax during my holiday.
For those who have been hearing less of me, I am sorry since I had been busy.

I have more travels coming up after hari raya and I will upload new pictures on my next entry as I am using my brother's computer at this time, and my pictures are on mine.

Selamat Ramadhan my dear muslim friends .

Loads and loads of love for all of you while I am eating my favorite kuih lapis :)

Friendship, family, food and fun

2010-07-31T19:47:00.014+08:00

This note is written with heart opens so wide and mind jiggling with the idea if I should order a pizza and mouth sipping my mother's delicious steaming hot chicken soup made for Reza, my brother who is not feeling very well.I am currently eating , writing while glancing at the Nat geo showing my favorite elephant show.

" Food is so much more than fuel-it's a catalyst for emotion, a historical journey, a rite,a celebration, a three times-daily act of giving and receiving love and a fine opportunity of exhibitionism"

My family loves food, throughout my life spent all over the globe, I enjoy eating food different from my own segment of taste, since I was a kid I challenged myself to various palette .From small districts where we enjoy our steamed fish with plums, tofu soup with salted vegetables or that freshly baked bread slapped with freshly made kaya by Auntie Helen and her brother Uncle Jerry who passed away 10 years ago to big cities restaurant where Mum and I usually meet my late father for steak lunch .I love food and I am a merciless critic, my close friends would say "Azura is very fiery when it comes to bad food" and I don't sugarcoat my words.I got it from my mother, she is also a very fussy eater...cleanliness of the floor to the chefs is at the corner of her eyes.
With those being written, I just say that when I stumbled upon some really bad restaurant , I try not to blog about it, this is one to one - having balls and pride situation , if the restaurant screws up, tell the owner and sort them out verbally or written ... publicising about is not an act of a brave person.
if I want to write something bad name it about restaurants or some people I met , we can have an encyclopedia of insults.

I have been eating at The Equatorial for as long as I live, whenever we were in KL for our summer holiday, we would always , always come to Nipah for food, although at one time I stopped going there, at this moment , I can't find any other place comparable to the comfort, friendliness and homely taste that Nipah gave me.I went in my designer's attire or shorts and t shirt...the service are always consistent being served in less than 60 seconds.This is definitely a service record, even at some posh resort I stayed at ... they made me wait for 20 minutes during peak time...that's just for a glass of water.But at Nipah , that never happened to me.

Growing up together have been a great experience, I must say .Thank You Nipah for being part of my life.3 generations and we are still with you.

Recently I was invited by the Equatorial team led by Mr Alan the GM , of course prior to that I was invited three times by My Zainal , Chef Anthony and Mr Hamidi, (you can imagine how welcomed I felt!)to their preview of Ramadhan breaking fast buffet spread .Wow is the word and I would truly recommend this without prejudice, If say it's good ...it's really good.

During ramadhan , Moslem's fasting month , Nipah also comes up with Tiffin set and you can order it to be delivered.Because I will be tired I will be ordering that as well .At the preview, I tasted some Hari raya cookies and feeling greedy I would go and prebook their Kueh Makmur and Tart because I know their hygiene standard and ingredients.

There you go Equatorial,... we have been together for 29 years and I think it's about time for me to brag about you.

Days before the preview, I met Mr Mahadi when I was a little kid until today , that I actually qualify to be a mother to a little kid

Big Fish!

I forgot how many dishes they will making everyday but they are close to 200! Yes, that's right...200

Equatorial is located in Jalan Sultan Ismail.
for reservations contact 03 2161 7777

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Chef Anthony in action

seafood galore!

Eat , Pray, Love...my version

2010-07-31T17:34:00.003+08:00

My mum having her frangipani tart

Chicken chop

Kuala Lumpur can be a great place to live, despite the influx of too many non Malaysian in the city , we all manage to live our live in harmony.I am living my life in my own little bubble, Doing my own things and running my my life one sous vide bag at a time.These are the pictures of what's going on with my life lately but most of all they just pictures of food! Again!

Messy Lasagne at Bangsar Village

I this this was at midvalley's Rasa timur...maybe that's the nameof that cafe

Noodle soup with wanton since I retired from eating Curry laksa as Madam kwan said, it's too hot for me.

From customer to friends i love this place-try their paratha wrap

Yes! that is a computer , wifi equipped taxi in Malaysia.Malaysia boleh!

Thanks mum for making me this crochet blanket!

Beautiful moss while I am walking a walk called my "vision walk"

New menu at KFC Wisma KFC, formerly known as Wisma Idris, I used to go to their Bakery division called Baker's cottage with mum when i was a teen and with Kim for coffee ... where are you now Kim?

Sauce fiesta at our steamboat place

I can hear the bird calling my name from her nest...like azura..raaa raa....

With my beloved, lagendary Madam Kwan

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ok , ok why not...another curry laksa

Add caption

my brither's gigantic ais kacang

shmooboo

I love my bank , I walked all the way to get some cash , they were actually doing a fire dril training and i had to walk to another branch because I was not allowed to go into their ATM section. :(

this was our final choice but we love it! ayam penyek by an Indonesian chain at Sunway

Pho bo reminds me of my time in Ho Chi Minh...not all great but it is a sentimental one

my future chandelier

Love and kissing are only toys

Pasta with tonnes of seafood, I remember going to Lele's place in Venice where the fresh clams and mussels are thrown into the pasta.

After gym I head for KLCC for my favourite Laksa Johor at la cucur

Salmon and chips at Manhattan Fish market which is actually a Malaysian chained restaurant.

Batik coffee is my invention

Oh my BFM!

2010-07-21T00:00:00.003+08:00

For these people at BFM -Sonia,Hilyati and Caroline Oh three beautiful ladies , Thank you so much for inviting me for this interview session and for having me at your station.

Loads of love,
CAO

Join me here!

2010-07-16T17:11:00.001+08:00

My hair is getting long!

Add me here!

Hey there, if you have a radio, this Monday at 7 pm I will be on air on bfm, if you don't and still wants to listen to my voice , log on to http://www.bfm.my/ for the podcast.Monday at 7 pm , bfm 89.9. mwah, mwah

Loads of love ,

Chef Azura