Celebrity cooks up a storm

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SINGER, actress and chef Maria Cordero believes that anyone can cook, as long as one has the passion for it.

“Don’t be scared of the hot fire or water. If you get burned, learn from your experience. You have to enjoy everything, whether in the kitchen or in life.

“Like singing and painting, cooking is an art. Everything must be done with passion to be able to do it well,” said the lady who is also known as Fat Mama Maria.

Tourism promotion: Cordero posing beside a poster to promote the Hong Kong Food & Wine Year.

Having had years of experience in whipping up healthy meals within a short time frame, Cordero prepared three dishes during her cooking session — Rice Cooker Chicken, Mushroom Porcini Oat Rice and Mushroom Cappuccino.

The mother of six and grandmother of 11 believes in simple and easy cooking methods, and is able to visualise the taste of her dishes even before cooking.

“I’m always thinking of creative ways to entice my grandchildren and the men in my family to eat more healthily,” she said.

“I try to include vegetables and fruits in fun ways, such as mixing green apples into the dish, or cook chicken or fish without using oil.”

Cordero, who is of Portuguese-Chinese origins, was in Malaysia for a media preview and to promote the Hong Kong Food & Wine Year.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is partnering the Asian Food Channel (AFC) to serve up a taste of Hong Kong to promote the event throughout Asia.

HKTB regional director David Leung noted that Hong Kong was famed for its culinary strength, and recently became the second Asian city to be awarded its own Michelin Guide.

The Hong Kong Food & Wine Year is aimed at showcasing the diverse culinary experience of Hong Kong, while leveraging on the Hong Kong SAR Government’s exemption of duty on wine, which enables visitors to enjoy a wide selection of wine at attractive prices.

Bringing the promotions to new heights is the 10-day Hong Kong Food & Wine Year Spotlight Events from Oct 30 till Nov 8.

The events comprise four key elements: Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival — the first-ever large-scale outdoor wine-and-dine event, street carnivals organised by major food districts, an array of special activities put together by the catering and tourism sectors, and a series of dining and drinking offers.

The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, to be held from Oct 30 till Nov 1 at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade, is where visitors can indulge themselves in the perfect pairing of wine and food, attend wine appreciation classes conducted by professional sommeliers, sample many local food delicacies, and enjoy some live entertainment against the beautiful backdrop of Victoria Harbour.

Two renowned food districts in Central — Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo — will simultaneously host street carnivals from Nov 6 to 8, with the theme “South American passion” and “Village on the Hill” respectively.

Other activities held throughout the Spotlight Events include the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair 2009, Sai Kung Seafood Festival, wine cellars tour, as well as wine-and-dine offers at various food districts and hotels.

To celebrate the festival and engage viewers as part of its 360 degree media campaign of the entire event, AFC commercial manager Simon Nichols said two lucky viewers would be offered the chance to win an exclusive trip to Hong Kong to experience it first-hand.