WoW! : My Son, The Chef Pt.2

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / My Son, The Chef Pt.2

      JOTARO'S WoW! - RANDOMN BLOGS        

MY SON, THE CHEF - Pt.2

My wife & me are very happy. My son Nicholas has graduated from Le Cordon Bleu. Congrats Nicholas! 

The Le Cordon Bleu school is located in Sunway University, it offers courses in both Cuisine and Pastry cooking.

This time round the graduation is being held at Nathalie's Gourmet Studio, a French restaurant located at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.

We gathered at the first floor corridor outside the restaurant - inside, they were preparing the place for dining and the graduation ceremony. It faces an open atrium, just the right mood to set off the evening!

While waiting, we were served drinks and some finger-food like this mince beef potato starter.

And this lobster wrapped in duck bacon starter.

The restaurant is ready now and we were invited in, the VIPs sitting at a table opposite the make-shift stage for the ceremony.

There were several speeches made - on what the school have to offer and also congratulating the graduates for their achievement.

Chef Frank, Nick's teacher, came to sit with us. He was very supportive about Nick's enthusiasm in his cooking.

And the award ceremony begins.

While the ceremony was ongoing....
DINNER IS SERVE!
This one is the appetizer - a reddish looking scallop sitting on squid wrapped in spinach with nice frothy mushroom sauce.

The main course -
Slowly Poached Chicken On Red Cabbage Puree with Bubbly Champagne Foam.

For desserts - Chocolate Mouse with a sprinkling of chocolate sauce topped up with a caramel wafer. In French cooking, presentation is all so important.

And now it's Nicholas' turn. Chef Frank symbolically putting on the toque (chef's hat) for him.

Nicholas, now a certified chef, proudly showing off his certificate and medal.

The chef's Medal

Proud graduate chefs in a row.

The proud parents.

Back at our table, we had a bonus dessert - colorful macaroons!

Each of us were also given a souvenir "egg-beater" key-ring. That's unique!

Candid group shot of the graduates.
This one's for the album, Nick.

Well done Nicholas!
You are now a Chef. The world awaits you.

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / My Son, The Chef Pt.2
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
(comments most welcomed below. if you like this pls share via facebook or twitter)

WoW! : My Son, The Chef Pt. 1

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / My Son, The Chef Pt. 1

      JOTARO'S WoW! - RANDOMN BLOGS        

MY SON, THE CHEF PT. 1

Well, technically he's not a chef - yet. He's a cadet chef, but he will be getting there. And this is his story up till now.

My son Nitaro is not much of bookworm, he just can't cope with mugging subjects.When in classes for these subjects, his attention just wanders. In junior and high school, he was a headache to many a teacher. Also a frustration to his parents - we try to let him have the best  but why oh why is he not proving himself?

Me and my wife, have tried several times to enroll him in various courses which we had hoped will interest him and which we hoped will bring him a stable and bright future. Over a period of two years, he attended a few colleges and different courses. But he just couldn't find his true calling.

In a way, part of the fault lies with us, his parents. He had - prior to all the "experimentation" of different courses - expressed his liking for cooking. He did ask me, "Dad, is it alright if I become a chef?" My answer was, "Yes, it's ok. You can be a chef. Just as long as you are good chef. Excel in anything you do.".

But somehow, that discussion became muddled in present day parents' expectation for their children - wanting them to have the best and not wanting them to fail in life. And so Nitaro went on a merry-go-round trying to live to his parents' expectations. I think that at some stage we have to just let go and let them find their own ground. Let them grow up on their own.

Anyway enough of that, we are here today to celebrate a happy occasion, his graduation as a Cadet Chef. The college put up its best for this ceremony. A proper hall with all the pomp and ceremony for presenting the certificates. Important academicians were there to present the certificates. When Nitaro received his cerificate, we were beaming with pride.

They even hosted a cocktail prepared by their student for us to savor.

There were this cute, blue Cointreau Macaron, something similar to cream-puff but with not-so-creamy-sweet filling. But I do not do justice with my description lest the French chefs come after me.

Croissants filled with a creamy filling.

Smoked Salmon Quiche

Nice bread with topping.

Smoked Duck Quiche

Nicely presented tiramisu.

Cherry Tarts.

Eating these nice food with it's wonderful tastes made me proud, not for their deliciousness but more for what my son can achieve.

His chef-teacher has also seen the potential in him and commented "Nitaro has that passion for cooking. If he puts more effort & focus into it he WILL BE a great chef!" So Nitaro, the ball is at your feet. Let's look forward to future graduations. Apply yourself full-heartedly and excel, then you will truly be - MY SON, THE CHEF - THE MASTER CHEF!

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / My Son, The Chef
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog
(comments most welcomed below. if you like this pls share via facebook or twitter)

WoW! : Fire @Yu Hua School

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / Fire at Yu Hua School

      JOTARO'S WoW! - RANDOMN BLOGS        

FIRE AT YU HUA SCHOOL, KAJANG, MALAYSIA

Fire Started about 15-20mins. ago

12th June 2012

(VIDEO LINK INCLUDED)

I was at a Kajang government office, when I suddenly saw people rushing to the windows. Curiosity got the better of me and I followed them.

The window was a bit crowded, but I managed to see what was happening. The school next door has caught fire.Our fifth floor level, gave us an commanding view.

Squeezing, through the absorbed on-lookers, I managed to take some photos and also a video. The video I made can be seen on YouTube under title Fire at Kajang School. (CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO)

The fire raged on, and more smoke billowed out from the fire. It looked like an annex building that was on fire. Suddenly, "boom!" - a small explosion was heard, and my fellow on-lookers went "Woh!"

Fire under control - School children can be seen
evacuating to the neighboring school

After about fifteen minutes, we heard the siren of a fire engine. It was only a small one and it made its way to the back. The fire-fighters went to work and soon the fire was under control.

The next day, I went through my regular newspaper. Odd thing though - there was no report on this fire. I hoped that there are no casualties, as I didn't hear or see any ambulance.

Click here to see (SEE MAP)

________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: 14th June 2012

Photos taken two days later from the neighboring Anglican Church. This is a view of the back. Looks like the fire started at first 3 rooms on the left of the 1st floor and then spreaded to the second floor. The fire-men managed to stop the fire before the roof could collapse.

Another view of the same block but from the front. Surprisingly, the front of the first floor wasn't affected by the fire.

Still no news in my regular papers.

You are at - Jotaro's Blog / WoW! / Fire at Yu Hua School
If you like this, view my other blogs at Jotaro's Blog

(comments most welcomed below. if you like this pls share via facebook or twitter)