Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table wins Best in Country (Singapore ) title for Photography of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

Happy New Year one and all ! Its 2012 and we have wonderful news ! “Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table” has won the Best in The Country (Singapore) title in the Photography category of the Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards 2011. The book will now compete against winners in the same category in other countries for The Best in the World award. The amazing photography in the book has wowed the judges. Check out the book to see it for yourself. Here’s a preview of some of the mouth-watering photos :

As you contemplate your menu for the week, here are a couple of delicious suggestions from the book, accompanied by glorious photographs.

• Happiness Cake by Zaibun Siraj
• Banana Bread Pudding by Florence PL Tan
• Spiced Mutton Chops by Judith Prakash

Enjoy the recipes ! I’ll be trying our the Happiness Cake this afternoon.

For the rest of the recipes found in Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table, purchase your copy of the book today.  Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

And if you still need a little nudge before purchasing your copy, here’s a wonderful accolade that should push you over the edge :

The book, Consuming Passion is a beautiful book, that does not belong on a book shelf but on an entrance hall table for all to see.The photographs are outstanding, they set a new tone for culinary arts, for cookbooks in Singapore, in fact the world over. The recipes are well written, intelligently written. All together it is a cook book that should win awards.And the best part is it is not produced by some experienced publisher in London or New York, but is the work of love of an alumni group….

Co-chaired by Helen.  As you know, I am a person of few words and little patience………..…..my description of Consuming Passion is “wow”.Mrs Pamelia Lee, Senior Tourism Consultant, Pathfinder & Overall Responsible Head, Maritime Heritage Links Limited, Maritime Silk and Spice Trade Route Project

Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table makes a great gift this holiday season. Your favourite foodie or aspiring chef will be bowled over by the 76 mouth watering recipes contributed by our RGS family accompanied by amazing photography.

“The photography in Consuming Passion, Memories from the Rafflesian Table is simply stunning. Among the more compelling and unusual photographs are those in which the subjects are mirrored in a black background. The almost edible subjects of the photographs are nearly ambrosial while the wistful reflection of each subject evokes a memory of an exceptional gustatory experience.” Professor Lloyd Matsumoto of Rhode Island College

Alize Rose

This Christmas, Raffles Girls’ School together with Laurels Food Suppliers Pte Ltd bring a special holiday package of Consuming Passion together with a bottle of Alize Rose for an amazing price of $98. For an additional $10 the package will be delivered to your doorstep or that of your intended recipient.

All proceeds will go towards the RGS Performing Arts Fund. Purchases of $300 or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. Please make your cheques out to RGS, and mail them to Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road.  Orders close on 20^th December 2011.

Click here to order.

Thank you and have a Wonderful Christmas.

Rani Singam

Rani Singam an RGS girl, left the legal profession 10 years ago to pursue her dream of being a singer. She will be launching her second album Contentment at her concert on 16 & 17 November 2011 to be held at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Those of us who attended the RGS Arts Festival and RGS Nite during the 130th Anniversary celebrations have had the  pleasure of hearing her sing. Tickets to her concert are available from www.sistic.com. Here’s a preview of her music : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PZjrbjEv-4&feature=share

In an email interview, Rani talks about realizing her dream of being a singer and how our alma mater helped discover and nurture her talent.

Q : Congratulations on your upcoming concert on 16 & 17 November. How long have you been singing professionally?

RS : Thank you. These concerts will officially launch my second album “Contentment”. I embarked on my professional singing career in 2002. After becoming a mother, I quit my legal job. As a stay home mother, I watched hours of the Oprah Winfrey show and went through tremendous soul-searching. I realised how much I wanted to live my lifelong dream and become a singer. Having already made a break from being a fully-employed lawyer, I felt I really had nothing to lose, so I took the plunge in 2002 and this has proven to be one of the best decisions of my life.

Q: Tell us a bit more about how you discovered your talent and how it was nurtured?

RS : I was always singing as a child and I was fortunately given the opportunity to nurture my talent.  Apart from learning Indian vocal music, I was also part of the Radio & Television Singapore Children’s Choir between the ages of 7 and 12. There were many public performance opportunities when I was in the RTS choir.

Q : You’ve given back quite a bit to the school. You’ve performed at the 130th Anniversary celebrations in particular the RGS Arts Festival and RGS Nite. Tell us more about it and what motivates you to give back?

RS : RGS nite was the main reason I wanted to go to RGS! My elder sister Jothi , who is four years older to me, was in the school choir. I had attended RGS Nite during the years that she had performed on stage and used to fantasise about performing at RGS Nite myself! I still remember very vividly how much I wanted to do that.

When the school invited me to sing for RGS Nite at their 130th anniversary celebrations, I was ecstatic. I was thrilled that RGS Nite was making a comeback after many years. It took me back to the magical times when I was in school.

Indeed, RGS Nite was the best platform for any aspiring performer. It helped build my confidence, stage presence and most of all, my passion for music and singing. I have always felt very privileged for the opportunities I had when I was in school and I wanted to show my appreciation to my principal Mrs Chee Keng Soon and my teachers, not forgetting my choir mistresses Mrs Singam and Mrs Abraham. I paid tribute to them when I sang at the RGS Nite 130th anniversary and I still wish to say how blessed I feel to be part of the RGS tradition of performing arts and culture.

I have always wanted to contribute to this amazing energy of creativity in the school. At the RGS Arts Festival, I conducted a jazz appreciation concert. It was really fantastic to be back in the school hall, singing and sharing with the girls and teachers, my love for jazz. The highlight for me was when we sang the school song together in unison in swing style. Yes, we “jazzed up” the school song!!!

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

RS : Thank you for taking your time to read this. Here’s to life, to great food, to contentment and beyond!

Rani contributed  this recipe Asian Asparagus Salad to Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table. Click here to download recipe : Asian Asparagus Salad by Rani Singam.

For the rest of the 75 recipes found in Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table, purchase your copy of the book today.  Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

Rani Singam in concert

Rani is an RGS girl and contributed a recipe to Consuming Passion. Please support her concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio on 16 & 17 November 2011. Tickets are available from sistic.com.sg. You would also be able to pickup copies of Consuming Passion at her concert.

The much anticipated album by Rani Singam is here! Be one of the first to catch the live performance of CONTENTMENT, one of the last few records to have been recorded, mixed and mastered at the acclaimed Bennett Studios, USA. A new offering, a contemporary jazz album, orginal and bold!

Prawn Curry

As we look forward to the next public holiday Deepavali, which falls on Wednesday 26th October, perhaps you may be planning  a special menu for your loved ones. A delicious prawn curry would make a great holiday treat.

Ilavenil Subbiah  has been living away from Singapore for many years, first in New Zealand and now in Boston, USA. She has contributed this recipe which she has cooked for friends and family over the years and across continents. She tells us via an email interview more about the recipe and why she has purchased more than 20 copies of Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table.

Ilavenil Subbiah recipe contributor

Q : How long have you been away from Singapore ?

IS : A long time! I was back only once the whole time I lived in NZ. And did not make it back again until 2008. The 080808 class reunion events put many of us in touch with each other after many years. My life is better for having reconnected with classmates and friends I had lost touch with. I hope to visit every year or two.

Q : Tell us a bit more about your recipe.

IS : One of my favourite dishes as I love prawns. I have cooked it for most of my friends at one time or another — for all those who eat prawns. It’s a great recipe—easy, versatile, tasty, visually appealing, works well with different sides or can be a whole meal as the curry in prawn biriyani. It can be cooked in any kitchen with ingredients available here in the US and it allows everyone to bring a touch of the exotic to their dinner table. AND…it’s totally yummy!

Q : You have purchased more than 20 copies of Consuming Passion. That’s fantastic. Tell us why you have purchased so many copies. Are they gifts for friends and family ?

IS : The books make terrific gifts. I’ve been in search of a good and not too daunting book of Asian recipes. This one is perfect for a variety of reasons. There are a good selection of recipes that give a sampling of the flavours of Singapore. The photography is gorgeous. All recipes have stories associated with them. And the voice of the contributors is a nice personal element in each recipe. Fundraising for RGS is the other aspect of the cookbook project and a motivation for my purchase. It’s good to be able to give back to the school after having been away and apart form the community for such a long time. It is a great way to reconnect. Small projects like these can go a long way to building a culture of collaboration and giving. It’s a great way to get our alumni thinking about giving back to RGS.

Q : Can you talk a bit more about the culture of giving back in North America ? Why is it important to you ?
IS : There is certainly a strong culture of giving in the US — giving to schools (colleges, universities) as well as to causes (like cancer, hospitals, the arts) and when there is a need following a disaster. I think people want to give back and help others when they can, and when there is a need. Donations are one way to do it. And for a way for people to say “our thoughts are with you.” When it comes to alumni giving it’s perhaps all about the connection each alum feels to the school and how strong and positive that connection is.

Q : Is there anything else you would like to add ?

IS : Everyone I’ve given the book to loves it. I can’t wait to try the recipes myself. And look forward to the next collaborative project.

Download the Prawn Curry recipe by Ilavenil Subbiah now.

For the rest of the 75 recipes found in Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table, purchase your copy of the book today.  Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

]]> http://rgsconsumingpassion.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/a-recipe-for-deepavali/feed/ 0 Sneak preview of recipes ris8059 Tantalizing recipes from Consuming Passion Ilavenil Subbiah - recipe contributor to Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table http://rgsconsumingpassion.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/durian-pate-a-choux-by-geok-kee-koeneman/ http://rgsconsumingpassion.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/durian-pate-a-choux-by-geok-kee-koeneman/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:40:23 +0000 ris8059 http://rgsconsumingpassion.wordpress.com/?p=573 Read more]]>

Sunday Times article featuring Geok-Kee Koeneman and her recipe DURIAN PATE A CHOUX

Did you miss the Sunday Times article featuring  Geok-Kee Koeneman and her recipe, Durian Pate A Choux ? If you did, here it is again, reproduced with kind permission from the Singapore Press Holdings.

Geok-Kee, an alumnus of both RGS and the Culinary Institute of America in New York,  dedicated the recipe to her dear friend Abby Tan who lost her battle to cancer last year.  Durian Pate A Choux is part of Geok-Kee’s portfolio of recipes featuring Asian ingredients.

Download Sunday Times article featuring Geok-Kee Koeneman and her recipe DURIAN PATE A CHOUX now.

For the rest of the 75 recipes found in Consuming Passion : Memories from the Rafflesian Table, purchase your copy of the book today.  Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

Article reproduced with permission from Singapore Press Holdings.

Banana Bread Pudding by Florence PL Tan

The long holiday weekend of Hari Raya & the Presidential Election is finally here. Time to bond with family and friends over food. There are 76 recipes in Consuming Passion to try out. If you haven’t gotten a copy yet, check out the  sample recipes we have uploaded here. While you are at it, don’t forget to take some photos or videos and you could win a Consuming Passion apron. Submit your photos, videos or writeups to rgsconsumingpassion@gmail.com by September 15 2011. You will then get to vote your favourite entries. There will be 3 categories : Photo/Video, Cooking Experience ( with photos preferably ) and an Open Category for any other creative entries. The top favourites from each category will win the limited edition Consuming Passion apron.

Recently Mrs Julie Hoo received a thank you note from the High Commission to Malaysia Mr T Jasudasen.  Here is part of the note :

“Thank you for your note of 26th May 2011, which I just saw upon my return from leave. It was very thoughtful of you to extend a copy of ’Consuming Passion’. It is very well put together and I would even try a hand at some of these recipes. “

Wouldn’t you try them too ?

This was the first recipe we put online earlier this year. Some of you who discovered this blog in the last couple of months may have missed some of the earlier sample recipes. Watch out for more in the coming weeks.

Here’s a recipe contributed by Sylvia Tan a well known food writer and former RGS girl who has penned many cook books.

Spicy Seared Beef with Asian Greens by Sylvia Tan

Click here for more sample recipes.

If you still do not have a copy of Consuming Passion, click here to purchase. Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

Get together with your family over the upcoming long holiday weekend of Hari Raya & the Presidential Election and bond over this recipe or have your friends over to enjoy the fruits of your labour. While you are at it, don’t forget to take some photos or videos and you could win a Consuming Passion apron. Submit your photos, videos or writeups to rgsconsumingpassion@gmail.com by September 15 2011. You will then get to vote your favourite entries. There will be 3 categories : Photo/Video, Cooking Experience ( with photos preferably ) and an Open Category for any other creative entries. The top favourites from each category will win the limited edition Consuming Passion apron.

Mini Curry Puffs by Emma Yong

Here is another  recipe from a celebrity RGS girl published on 8 Days. It is  Mini Curry Puffs by Emma Yong with a Japanese twist, her mums’ secret recipe. It is easy to make and an excellent party snack. Get together with your family over the upcoming long holiday weekend of Hari Raya & the Presidential Election and bond over this recipe or have your friends over to enjoy the fruits of your labour. While you are at it, don’t forget to take some photos or videos and you could win a Consuming Passion apron. Submit your photos, videos or writeups to rgsconsumingpassion@gmail.com by September 15 2011. You will then get to vote your favourite entries. There will be 3 categories : Photo/Video, Cooking Experience ( with photos preferably ) and an Open Category for any other creative entries. The top favourites from each category will win the limited edition Consuming Passion apron.

Download your copy now. Mini Curry Puff by Emma Yong

If you still do not have a copy of Consuming Passion, click here to purchase. Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

Articles reproduced with permission from Mediacorp.

Thanks to ladies who have sent us compliments, feedback and photos of themselves trying the recipes and getting together with their classmates as a result of the book. Consuming Passion brings us together.

Do you have a Consuming Passion experience to share ? Send us photos, or write-ups of your experience trying out the recipes or getting together with your classmates over Consuming Passion. Send us your entries by 15 September 2011 and we will publish them right here. You will then get to vote your favourite entries. There will be 3 categories : Photo, Cooking Experience ( with photos preferably ) and an Open Category for any other creative entries. The top favourites from each category will win the limited edition Consuming Passion apron. Don’t forget to email your entries to rgsconsumingpassion@gmail.com.

If you still do not have a copy of Consuming Passion, click here to purchase. Each copy costs $60. Purchases of 5 copies or more are entitled to 2.5 times tax deduction. The books are available through the school and Bibi & Baba. Get your copy today.

1. https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dC1qNzlHQzlMMkVmbGV5akZmM2R3SkE6MQ#gid=0
2. Raffles Girls School 20 Anderson Road. (65) 6838 7834
3. Bibi and Baba, Shaw Centre, Scotts Road

Here are some of the feedback we have received. Please keep them coming.

Letter to Editor of 8 Days – Published on July 21 2011, with permission from MediaCorp :

“I do not fancy eating any yam dishes except for steamed yam cake. Your steamed yam cake by Stefanie Sun
definitely attracted me. The recipe is simple to understand and I tried cooking it the very next day. The outcome
is bingo… it is very yummy. I have named it Sunny Yammy and I am now looking forward to more of your recipes
that are coming out soon. Thank you 8 Days and thanks to Stefanie too for sharing the recipe….. it is yummy.
- Sunny Yammy“

T Jasudasen, High Commissioner to Malaysia

“Dear Mrs Hoo,

Thank you for your note of 26th May 2011, which I just saw upon my return from leave. It was very thoughtful of you to extend a copy of ‘Consuming Passion‘. It is very well put together and I would even try my hand at some of the recipes.“

Irene Lim Siok Kuan, Tuscany, Italy. RGS Class of 1969 :

“I’ve picked up my complimentary copy of  ‘Consuming Passion‘ and was terribly impressed with it – its look
was handsome and the contents were so inviting. I’ve already tried making the Thai-style fried beehoon.“

Koh Geok Kwan :

I would like to share with you the joy that I experienced in presenting “Consuming Passion” as a gift to  my sister-in-law. She entertains extensively at home in her diplomatic position. “Consuming Passion” with its many high quality and exclusive recipes will be a great aid for her to show off her culinary flair. As a matter of fact, as she browsed through the pages of “Consuming Passion” immediately upon receiving it, she was able to identify many recipes which she feels will be perfect on the menus for her upcoming entertainment schedule. She was very thrilled to own “Consuming Passion“. Thank you for bringing so much joy to so many with “Consuming Passion“.

Yaznita Sallim,  RGS Class of 1989 :

“Junisha and I have been best friends since Sec 2 (1987). We only started to bake and bond 4 years ago. With Consuming Passion, we will have many more reasons to continue baking and cooking to further strengthen the bond between us and our families……“

Errata :

Our apologies, inspite of our best efforts, a few printing errors were discovered in the book. Here are the corrections. If you uncover anymore of them please contact May Kan at maykan@rgs.edu.s

Maisie Chan’s Piquant Pickles, page 16

Step 3 Line 7, ‘hvineger’ should read as ‘vinegar’

Stephanie Sun’s Steamed Yam Cake, page 132

‘Bake Time  4 hrs’ should read as ‘Cook Time   1 hr’

Imelda and Belinda Tanoto’s Mee Sua Soup, page 137

‘Bake Time’ should read as ‘Cook Time’